Nicolas Cage has finally found a superhero role that matches his unique style, with his new series 'Spider-Noir' premiering on Prime Video and MGM+ on May 27. The Oscar-winning actor stars as Ben Reilly, a private investigator in Depression-era New York City who has retired his Spider-Man alter ego after his wife's death, but is drawn back into action by a nightclub singer and a case involving war veterans with strange powers.
Cage's superhero journey has been fraught with near-misses: he was set to play Superman in Tim Burton's aborted 'Superman Lives', turned down the Green Goblin in 'Spider-Man', and clashed with Seth Rogen over a role in 'The Green Hornet'. He previously played Ghost Rider and Big Daddy, but says 'Spider-Noir' is the first to fully align with his vision, blending film noir and superhero genres in black-and-white or colour.
The actor cited classic films like 'The Big Sleep' and 'The Maltese Falcon' as influences, aiming to channel the bemusement of Humphrey Bogart. He also drew on German expressionism and Max Schreck's performance in 'Nosferatu' to create an arachnid animality in his movements. The series, created by Oren Uziel, allows for deeper character development thanks to the episodic format.
Reflecting on his move to television, Cage noted that watching 'Breaking Bad' changed his perspective, showing the creative potential of long-form storytelling. He also addressed rumours about 'True Detective' season five, though declined to confirm involvement.
