{"id":588786,"date":"2026-05-17T10:11:18","date_gmt":"2026-05-17T10:11:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/588786\/"},"modified":"2026-05-17T10:11:18","modified_gmt":"2026-05-17T10:11:18","slug":"3-years-later-a-former-superman-actor-is-officially-marvels-new-spider-man","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/588786\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Years Later, A Former Superman Actor Is Officially Marvel\u2019s New Spider-Man"},"content":{"rendered":"

History is being made in the world of screen superheroes, as a former Superman<\/a> star is about to don the Spider-Man suit for the first time. The actor in question played the Man of Steel in a live-action movie just three years ago, yet is getting his own TV series portraying Peter Parker\u2019s alter ego in the flesh.<\/p>\n

MGM+ and Prime Video are about to release their TV show Spider-Noir<\/a>, which will see Nicolas Cage play an older, darker version of Marvel\u2019s most iconic hero. It\u2019s three years on from the moment when Cage finally fulfilled his lifelong dream by becoming a live-action Superman actor<\/a> on the big screen.<\/p>\n

Friendly Neighborhood Assessment \u00b7 MCU Era
\n Tom Holland’s
Spider-Man Trivia<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfe0Homecoming2017<\/p>\n

\u2708\ufe0fFar From Home2019<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udf0cNo Way Home2021<\/p>\n

\ud83d\ude08VillainsSinister\u2026<\/p>\n

\ud83e\udd16MCUAvengers<\/p>\n

THWIP! LET’S GO \u2192<\/p>\n

01<\/p>\n

Before getting his own solo film, Tom Holland\u2019s Peter Parker made his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut by being recruited by Tony Stark to help in a massive superhero conflict. In which MCU film did Holland first appear as Spider-Man?<\/p>\n

\n AAvengers: Age of Ultron
\n BCaptain America: Civil War
\n CSpider-Man: Homecoming
\n DAvengers: Infinity War\n <\/p>\n

\u2713 Correct! Tom Holland first appeared as Spider-Man in Captain America: Civil War (2016), where Tony Stark visits Peter in Queens and recruits him for the airport battle against Team Cap. His quippy, starstruck portrayal instantly won over audiences.<\/p>\n

\u2717 Web miss! The answer is Captain America: Civil War. Holland debuted in the 2016 film before Homecoming (2017). He was recruited by Tony Stark for the iconic airport fight scene, stealing Captain America\u2019s shield with his webs in one of the film\u2019s most memorable moments.<\/p>\n

NEXT \u2192<\/p>\n

02<\/p>\n

In Spider-Man: Homecoming, Peter faces a blue-collar salvage contractor who turned to arms dealing after being shut out of the Chitauri cleanup by Damage Control. Using an alien-tech wingsuit, he becomes one of Spider-Man\u2019s most grounded villains. Who is he?<\/p>\n

\n AThe Vulture (Adrian Toomes)
\n BThe Shocker (Herman Schultz)
\n CThe Scorpion (Mac Gargan)
\n DThe Tinkerer (Phineas Mason)\n <\/p>\n

\u2713 Correct! Adrian Toomes, played brilliantly by Michael Keaton, is the Vulture \u2014 a working-class father who builds a criminal empire selling alien-derived weapons. The twist that he\u2019s the father of Peter\u2019s date Liz is one of the MCU\u2019s best surprises.<\/p>\n

\u2717 Web miss! The answer is The Vulture (Adrian Toomes). The Shocker and Tinkerer are his henchmen in the film, and Scorpion (Mac Gargan) only briefly appears. Toomes is the main antagonist who personally confronts Peter in the unforgettable car ride scene.<\/p>\n

NEXT \u2192<\/p>\n

03<\/p>\n

Tony Stark built Peter a high-tech suit loaded with features Peter didn\u2019t even know about, including an AI assistant that helps him in combat, provides tactical analysis, and even gives dating advice. What name does Peter give this AI?<\/p>\n

\n AFriday
\n BEdith
\n CKaren
\n DJocasta\n <\/p>\n

\u2713 Correct! Peter names his suit\u2019s AI \u201cKaren,\u201d voiced by Jennifer Connelly. She assists him with web shooter modes, reconnaissance, and even his love life. Friday is Tony Stark\u2019s AI, and E.D.I.T.H. is the Stark satellite system that appears in Far From Home.<\/p>\n

\u2717 Web miss! The answer is Karen. Friday is Tony Stark\u2019s personal AI, E.D.I.T.H. is the Stark defense satellite Peter inherits in Far From Home, and Jocasta is an AI from the comics. Karen, voiced by Jennifer Connelly, is Peter\u2019s suit assistant throughout Homecoming.<\/p>\n

NEXT \u2192<\/p>\n

04<\/p>\n

In Spider-Man: Far From Home, Peter encounters a seemingly heroic figure who claims to be from an alternate Earth, battling elemental creatures across Europe. In reality, he\u2019s a disgruntled former Stark Industries employee using advanced holographic drones. What is his real name?<\/p>\n

\n AWilliam Ginter Riva
\n BAldrich Killian
\n CJustin Hammer
\n DQuentin Beck\n <\/p>\n

\u2713 Correct! Quentin Beck, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, is Mysterio \u2014 a master of illusion who uses Stark Industries\u2019 B.A.R.F. holographic technology and weaponized drones to fabricate the Elementals and pose as a hero. His final act of revenge shapes the entire third film.<\/p>\n

\u2717 Web miss! The answer is Quentin Beck. William Ginter Riva is one of Beck\u2019s team members, Aldrich Killian is the villain of Iron Man 3, and Justin Hammer is from Iron Man 2. Beck is Mysterio, the illusionist who manipulated Peter\u2019s trust across Europe.<\/p>\n

NEXT \u2192<\/p>\n

05<\/p>\n

In one of the MCU\u2019s most shocking mid-credits scenes, J. Jonah Jameson broadcasts doctored footage from Mysterio\u2019s final moments that completely upends Peter Parker\u2019s life. What does this broadcast reveal to the entire world?<\/p>\n

\n AThat Spider-Man killed Mysterio in cold blood
\n BThat Spider-Man is Peter Parker
\n CThat Spider-Man is a Skrull impersonator
\n DThat Spider-Man commanded the drone attack on London\n <\/p>\n

\u2713 Correct! Mysterio\u2019s doctored footage, broadcast by J. Jonah Jameson (J.K. Simmons reprising his iconic role), exposes Spider-Man\u2019s identity as Peter Parker to the entire world. This revelation drives the entire plot of No Way Home as Peter desperately seeks to undo the damage.<\/p>\n

\u2717 Web miss! The answer is that Spider-Man is Peter Parker. While the footage also frames Spider-Man for the London drone attack, the earth-shattering reveal is Peter\u2019s unmasked identity being broadcast globally by The Daily Bugle\u2019s J. Jonah Jameson.<\/p>\n

NEXT \u2192<\/p>\n

06<\/p>\n

With his identity exposed and his loved ones under threat, Peter seeks help from a powerful sorcerer to cast a spell that would make the world forget he is Spider-Man. Peter\u2019s constant modifications to the spell cause it to fracture the multiverse. Which sorcerer casts this spell?<\/p>\n

\n AWong
\n BWanda Maximoff
\n CDoctor Strange
\n DKarl Mordo\n <\/p>\n

\u2713 Correct! Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) casts the memory-wiping spell at Peter\u2019s request, but Peter keeps asking for exceptions \u2014 for MJ, Ned, May, and Happy to still remember him. These constant changes corrupt the spell and tear open the multiverse, pulling in villains from other Spider-Man universes.<\/p>\n

\u2717 Web miss! The answer is Doctor Strange. While Wong is the Sorcerer Supreme and actually warns Strange against it, it is Stephen Strange who agrees to cast the spell. Wanda\u2019s multiverse interference occurs in Multiverse of Madness, not here.<\/p>\n

NEXT \u2192<\/p>\n

07<\/p>\n

Throughout all three films, Peter\u2019s loyal best friend serves as his \u201cguy in the chair,\u201d helping with tech support and keeping his secret. In No Way Home, this character even discovers he can open magical portals using a Sling Ring. Who is Peter\u2019s best friend?<\/p>\n

\n ANed Leeds
\n BFlash Thompson
\n CHarry Osborn
\n DMiles Morales\n <\/p>\n

\u2713 Correct! Ned Leeds, played by Jacob Batalon, is Peter\u2019s best friend and self-proclaimed \u201cguy in the chair.\u201d He discovers Peter\u2019s secret identity in Homecoming, supports him across all three films, and in No Way Home he accidentally uses Doctor Strange\u2019s Sling Ring to open portals to other Spider-Men.<\/p>\n

\u2717 Web miss! The answer is Ned Leeds. Flash Thompson is Peter\u2019s rival and bully who ironically idolizes Spider-Man. Harry Osborn is Peter\u2019s friend in the Raimi and Webb films but doesn\u2019t appear in Holland\u2019s trilogy. Miles Morales is only hinted at. Ned is the irreplaceable \u201cguy in the chair.\u201d<\/p>\n

NEXT \u2192<\/p>\n

08<\/p>\n

At the emotional climax of No Way Home, Peter makes an enormous personal sacrifice to save the multiverse. Doctor Strange completes the spell, and when it takes effect, Peter is left completely alone. What does the final spell do?<\/p>\n

\n AIt sends Peter to an alternate universe where no one knows him
\n BIt erases Spider-Man from existence entirely
\n CIt removes Peter\u2019s spider powers permanently
\n DIt makes everyone in every universe forget who Peter Parker is\n <\/p>\n

\u2713 Correct! The final spell makes every person in every universe forget that Peter Parker exists. MJ, Ned, Happy, the Avengers \u2014 everyone. Peter visits MJ at the coffee shop afterward but decides not to re-introduce himself, choosing to protect them. He starts over completely alone, sewing his own suit in a small apartment.<\/p>\n

\u2717 Web miss! The answer is that everyone forgets who Peter Parker is. The spell doesn\u2019t erase Spider-Man \u2014 people still know the hero exists \u2014 but nobody remembers Peter Parker the person. This devastating sacrifice means MJ, Ned, and even Happy Hogan have no memory of him at all.<\/p>\n

REVEAL MY SCORE \u2192<\/p>\n

\n Assessment Complete
\n Your Spider-Sense Rating\n <\/p>\n

\n \/ 8\n <\/p>\n

Are you an Avenger \u2014 or just a friendly neighborhood bystander?<\/p>\n

\u21bb SWING AGAIN<\/p>\n

It might seem as though the star of Leaving Las Vegas and Kick-Ass is a little old to be discovering his Spidey Sense. At 62, he\u2019s far beyond the age of other Spider-Man actors<\/a>, who typically portray Peter Parker as a teenager. Yet, Cage is playing a grizzled clone of Parker named Ben Reilly, who\u2019s also a hard-boiled private investigator.<\/p>\n

Nicolas Cage Is Playing Spider-Man Noir In Spider-Noir<\/p>\n

\"Ben
\n Ben Reilly in his costume in Spider-Noir<\/p>\n

Reilly is a variant of Spider-Man known as Spider-Man Noir<\/a>, who was first introduced in the Marvel Noir line of comic books in 2009. While this variant has already featured in the animated Spider-Verse movies, Prime Video\u2019s Spider-Noir series is the first time he will have appeared in live action.<\/p>\n

As the voice of Spider-Man Noir in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and its sequels, Nicolas Cage is the ideal candidate to bring the character to life in the flesh. His acting style feels tailor-made for the dark, film noir-style aesthetic this new TV series is going for, too.<\/p>\n

Cage will wear an all-black Spider suit, and Spider-Noir has even been shot in black and white. The show will introduce a very different version of Spider-Man from the one fans of the live-action movie canon are familiar with, but it\u2019s an exciting prospect for viewers who enjoy brooding crime thrillers.<\/p>\n

The 2023 Movie The Flash Previously Starred Cage As Superman<\/p>\n

\"Nicolas
\n Nicolas Cage as Superman in The Flash<\/p>\n

Of course, Spider-Noir is far from the first time Nicolas Cage has donned a superhero costume. He\u2019s previously played the titular supernatural antihero in the Ghost Rider movies, as well as the vigilante Big Daddy in Kick-Ass. Most famously, though, Cage made a cameo appearance as a version of Superman in the 2023 movie The Flash.<\/p>\n

A lifelong fan of the Man of Steel, he was originally slated to play the superhero in Tim Burton\u2019s 1998 movie Superman Lives before it was canceled. As a reflection of his feelings towards the legendary DC character, Cage even named his son after Superman<\/a>\u2019s Krypton moniker Kal-El in 2005.<\/p>\n

It was an especially proud moment for the actor, then, when he appeared as one of various iterations of Superman during a multiverse scene in The Flash. But Cage is now achieving something even more special with his role in Spider-Noir.<\/p>\n

Nicolas Cage Is The First Actor Ever To Play Superman And Spider-Man In Live Action<\/p>\n

\"Spider-Man<\/p>\n

With the release of his new series on May 25, Nicolas Cage becomes the first actor to play both Spider-Man and Superman<\/a> in live-action history. In fact, he\u2019s the first person ever to have played two of Marvel and DC\u2019s so-called \u201cBig Three\u201d superheroes. No one else has portrayed more than one of Batman, Spider-Man, and Superman in the flesh.<\/p>\n

This moment is a major milestone for the entire superhero genre, and a highly unlikely one at that. A few years ago, no one would have anticipated that Nicolas Cage, of all people, would make this piece of history beyond the age of 60.<\/p>\n

Tom Holland and David Corenswet, the two actors who play Spider-Man and Superman in their respective MCU and DCU movie franchises, are both around three decades Cage\u2019s junior. Nevertheless, his Spider-Noir role feels like an inspired piece of casting worthy of this historic moment.<\/p>\n

\"spider-noir-poster.jpg\"<\/p>\n

Release Date<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMay 27, 2026<\/p>\n

Network<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMGM+<\/p>\n

Showrunner<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOren Uziel, Steve Lightfoot<\/p>\n

\"Headshot<\/p>\n

\"Headshot<\/p>\n

Lamorne Morris<\/p>\n

\n Robbie Robertson\n <\/p>\n

\"Headshot<\/p>\n

Brendan Gleeson<\/p>\n

\n Silvermane\n <\/p>\n

\"Headshot<\/p>\n

Jack Huston<\/p>\n

\n Chief McNamara\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"History is being made in the world of screen superheroes, as a former Superman star is about to…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":588787,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[96,2839,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-588786","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-movies","tag-entertainment","tag-movies","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/588786","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=588786"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/588786\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/588787"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=588786"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=588786"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=588786"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}