Brendan Gleeson joins us to discuss stepping into the dangerous criminal underworld of Spider-Noir as Silvermane in the upcoming live-action Marvel series from Sony Pictures Television, MGM+, and Prime Video.
Set in a gritty 1930s New York inspired by classic noir detective stories, Spider-Noir follows Ben Reilly, a seasoned and emotionally broken private investigator forced to confront the past life he abandoned as the city’s only masked vigilante after a devastating personal tragedy.
In this discussion, we break down the darker tone of the series, the unique noir atmosphere separating it from traditional Marvel projects, and what makes this version of Spider-Noir so different from the animated Spider-Verse incarnation audiences already know.
About SPIDER-NOIR
Based on the Marvel comic Spider-Man Noir, Spider-Noir stars Nicolas Cage as Ben Reilly, a weary private investigator navigating corruption, violence, and emotional trauma throughout 1930s New York.
Unlike the animated Spider-Verse version of Spider-Noir — which featured an alternate version of Peter Parker — the live-action series introduces an entirely different interpretation of the character centered around Ben Reilly.
This version follows a middle-aged former vigilante who abandoned his heroic identity following the tragic death of his fiancée, forcing him to grapple with both his past and the growing darkness consuming the city around him.
The series also stars Lamorne Morris, Li Jun Li, Karen Rodriguez, Abraham Popoola, Jack Huston, and Brendan Gleeson.
Guest stars include Lukas Haas, Cameron Britton, Cary Christopher, Michael Kostroff, Scott MacArthur, Whitney Rice, Amanda Schull, Amy Aquino, Andrew Robinson, and Kai Caster.
Watch the Full Interview
Topics Covered
- Working alongside Nicolas Cage in Spider-Noir
- Playing Silvermane in Marvel’s live-action Spider-Noir series
- Reimagining Silvermane within a 1930s noir-inspired setting
- How this version of the character differs from the comics
- Bringing the atmosphere of 1930s New York to life
- Entering Marvel through a darker detective-driven story
A Noir Take on Marvel Storytelling
Unlike traditional superhero adaptations, Spider-Noir leans heavily into detective fiction, organized crime, corruption, and emotional isolation.
The series embraces classic noir influences through its atmosphere, visual style, and grounded storytelling approach while still maintaining connections to Marvel mythology.
That darker direction helps separate Spider-Noir from the larger superhero landscape and gives the series a much more mature and detective-driven tone.
Reimagining Silvermane for the 1930s
One of the most interesting aspects of the discussion centered around adapting Silvermane into the world of Depression-era New York.
Rather than simply recreating the comic version directly, the character is being reshaped to fit the grounded criminal underworld and noir atmosphere surrounding the series.
That approach allows Silvermane to feel more connected to classic gangster fiction and old Hollywood crime dramas while still remaining rooted in Marvel lore.
Working Alongside Nicolas Cage
The series also marks Nicolas Cage’s return to the Spider-Noir world following his fan-favorite performance in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
This version, however, presents a much different interpretation of the character through Ben Reilly rather than Peter Parker, giving Cage the opportunity to explore a more emotionally weathered and tragic version of the hero.
The live-action format also allows the performances and relationships to feel more grounded within the noir-inspired setting.
Building the World of SPIDER-NOIR
From production design and costume work to lighting and atmosphere, Spider-Noir appears fully committed to recreating a stylized 1930s New York filled with danger, corruption, and hidden violence.
The detective-driven storytelling and period setting give the series a unique identity that feels distinct from both the animated Spider-Verse films and more traditional Marvel adaptations.
That combination of noir storytelling and Marvel mythology could make Spider-Noir one of the studio’s most visually distinct live-action projects to date.
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