UPDATE: Excitement is building as Nicolas Cage is set to portray a live-action version of Ben Reilly in the upcoming series Spider-Man Noir, scheduled for release in 2026. This announcement was made at CCXP 2025, catching many fans off guard with the unexpected character twist.
In a surprising departure from the comics, Cage’s iteration will not be the traditional Peter Parker, raising intriguing questions about the direction of this new series. Promotional materials reveal a shadowy poster featuring a frosted glass door labeled “Ben Reilly P.I.,” hinting at a fresh narrative path for the beloved character.
This major change allows for greater narrative flexibility and a grittier tone, as Sony aims to reinterpret Spider-Man’s legacy. In the comics, Ben Reilly is known as a clone of Peter Parker, created during the notorious Clone Saga. Fans are buzzing about how this alteration could impact the story and the character’s origins.
The decision to adopt the name Ben Reilly appears to be intentional, possibly linked to complex rights issues surrounding live-action versions of Spider-Man. Previous films, such as Madame Web (2024), hinted at the challenges of including Peter Parker, as he was never named directly, leaving the MCU’s Spider-Man as the only active live-action version.
The shift from Peter Parker to Ben Reilly marks a significant evolution in the Spider-Man Noir universe, traditionally set in the 1930s and featuring alternate reality characters. With Cage’s portrayal, it seems Sony is merging the stories of these two iconic Spider-Man variants, offering a unique twist that hasn’t been seen before.
While fans of Cage’s animated Spider-Man Noir may wonder how closely this new character will align with previous depictions, it seems likely that the essence of the original will remain intact. Viewers can expect the classic elements of webs, wall-crawling, and masked heroism, despite the name change.
As anticipation builds for a full trailer, fans are eager to uncover how Cage’s Ben Reilly will navigate this new universe. The name change raises questions about continuity and character development, leaving many to speculate about the implications for the broader Spider-Man mythos.
Stay tuned for more updates as the release date approaches, and prepare for a thrilling new chapter in the Spider-Verse with Nicolas Cage leading the charge as Ben Reilly.
