Spider-Noir Co-Showrunner Reveals Where Peter Parker Is in Nicolas Cage Series

Nicolas Cage’s upcoming noir-inspired Marvel series is taking a very different path from traditional Spider-Man stories. The creative team behind Spider-Noir has now revealed why Peter Parker is missing from the show, while also explaining how the series blends old-school detective films with superhero action in a completely new way.

Oren Uziel explains why Peter Parker doesn’t exist in Spider-Noir

Spider-Noir co-showrunner Oren Uziel said the series intentionally avoids using Peter Parker as its lead character. Instead, Cage plays Ben Reilly, a darker and older version of a web-slinging hero known simply as The Spider.

According to Uziel, Peter Parker is closely tied to youthful coming-of-age stories, and the team wanted something different for this 1930s noir setting. “Peter Parker is so synonymous to me with a young character and a coming-of-age story,” Uziel explained to EW. He added that using Ben Reilly helped the show immediately stand apart from other Spider-Man projects.

The upcoming eight-episode series stars Nicolas Cage as a retired vigilante-turned-private investigator living in Depression-era New York during Prohibition. Uziel described the project as a mix of classic detective cinema and superhero storytelling.

“We’re really trying to make an old Bogart movie,” he said. “It’s just that Bogart happens to be Spider-Man.” The show will stream on Prime Video starting May 27 and will reportedly be available in both black-and-white and color versions.

Uziel also clarified that Peter Parker does not exist in this universe “yet,” leaving the door open for future appearances. However, Season 1 stays focused on Ben Reilly’s story. The series draws inspiration from noir classics such as Casablanca, Chinatown and L.A. Confidential. Other cast members include Brendan Gleeson as crime boss Silvermane, Lamorne Morris as Robbie Robertson, and Li Jun Li as lounge singer Cat Hardy.

Uziel recalled that Cage fully embraced the noir concept during production. The actor regularly referenced legendary film stars while preparing scenes. “This bit is gonna be Bogart from The Big Sleep,” Uziel remembered Cage saying on set, adding that the actor brought enormous enthusiasm to the role throughout filming.

Originally reported by Rishabh Shandilya on SuperHeroHype.