Oren Uziel joins us to discuss developing Spider-Noir, the upcoming live-action Marvel noir series based on the Spider-Man Noir comics.
Uziel serves as co-showrunner and executive producer alongside Steve Lightfoot on the series, which stars Nicolas Cage as Ben Reilly, a seasoned private investigator in 1930s New York who is forced to confront his former life as the city’s one and only masked vigilante after a deeply personal tragedy.
In this discussion, Uziel reflects on building a grounded period setting, approaching the social realities of 1930s America, expanding the idea of Marvel noir storytelling, and even offers an update surrounding the long-discussed live-action Clue film adaptation.
About SPIDER-NOIR
Based on the Marvel comic Spider-Man Noir, Spider-Noir follows Ben Reilly as he navigates a dangerous criminal underworld while struggling with the emotional weight of his past.
Unlike the animated Spider-Verse incarnation of Spider-Noir, this live-action version centers around Ben Reilly rather than Peter Parker, presenting a darker and more emotionally weathered version of the character.
The series stars Nicolas Cage, Lamorne Morris, Li Jun Li, Karen Rodriguez, Abraham Popoola, Jack Huston, and Brendan Gleeson.
Spider-Noir is produced by Sony Pictures Television exclusively for MGM+ and Prime Video.
Watch the Full Interview
Topics Covered
- Developing Marvel’s live-action Spider-Noir series
- Filming within a 1930s setting while acknowledging the realities of the time period
- Interest in expanding Marvel noir storytelling beyond Spider-Noir
- A live-action Clue movie update
- Working alongside Steve Lightfoot as co-showrunner
- Bringing Ben Reilly’s story into live-action with Nicolas Cage
A Marvel Story Rooted in 1930s America
One of the more interesting aspects of the discussion centered around approaching Spider-Noir as both a Marvel adaptation and a period piece grounded in a very specific historical moment.
Rather than simply using the 1930s as visual style or aesthetic backdrop, the conversation explored the importance of acknowledging the social realities, atmosphere, and tensions tied to that era while building the world surrounding Ben Reilly.
That grounded approach helps separate Spider-Noir from more traditional superhero storytelling.
Expanding the Idea of Marvel Noir
The noir-inspired direction of the series also opens the door for broader conversations surrounding Marvel stories told through different genres and historical settings.
The darker detective-driven atmosphere, organized crime influences, and emotionally damaged protagonists give Spider-Noir a tone that feels distinct from the larger superhero landscape.
The discussion touched on whether there is potential interest in continuing or expanding Marvel noir storytelling beyond a single project.
Nicolas Cage’s Return to Spider-Noir
The series marks Nicolas Cage’s return to the Spider-Noir world following his voice performance in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
This live-action adaptation, however, presents a completely different interpretation centered around Ben Reilly rather than Peter Parker, giving the story a more grounded and tragic emotional core.
That shift allows the series to lean more heavily into detective fiction, personal trauma, and noir storytelling traditions.
A Surprise CLUE Update
Beyond Marvel, the conversation also briefly touched on Uziel’s involvement with the long-developing live-action Clue adaptation.
While details remain limited, the discussion offered insight into where things currently stand surrounding the project and continued interest in bringing the classic mystery property into live-action.
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