Nothing can replace a superhero who is so deeply instilled in society that their silhouette alone tells a story. Spider-Man is one of those rare myths, passed from panels to screens, from Peter Parker to a dozen fractured reflections. So when Spider-Noir was announced as yet another rendering of the web-slinger, it turned heads. This was not the bright optimism of Queens, but a trench-coat shadow pulled from the darker corners of Marvel lore. 

What’s even more surprising than the concept itself is the ensemble now stepping into this rain-soaked universe.

The newly released images, by Esquire, offer a first look at the cast of Spider-Noir. Li Jun Li and Lamorne Morris as Cat Hardy and Robbie Robertson, signaling a deliberate investment in the series’ supporting architecture. Li Jun Li, arrives with a filmography that includes Babylon, Wu Assassins, and Netflix’s S--/Life. That history aligns closely with Cat Hardy, a character rooted in journalism and narrative control rather than physical power. 

Lamorne Morris, who joined the cast around the same time, brings dramatic credibility from his Emmy-winning work on Fargo.

A first look at Karen Rodriguez was also revealed by Esquire, as part of the supporting cast. At the center of it all stands Nicolas Cage, who has a number of projects coming in 2026, as Spider-Man Noir. Last December, Amazon revealed first-look images from Cage’s Spider-Noir series, and fans have been waiting since for another official glimpse. Esquire delivered exactly that, debuting seven new images from Spider-Noir, including four of Cage as the titular character, each one leaning harder into pulp shadows and weary resolve.

Major MCU Update Could Setup an Iconic Spiderman Team-Up, and It's Not Deadpool or Captain America

So what will this new Spider-Noir actually be about? Canon gives us clues. 

Narratively, Nicolas Cage portrays Ben Reilly’s noir counterpart, a Spider-Man displaced in time, operating as a private investigator in a city poisoned by corruption and ideology. The character’s blunt approach to justice, including his infamous willingness to beat up Nazis, made him a standout in Marvel’s darker catalog. His popularity surged further after Cage voiced him in Into the Spider-Verse, transforming a cult favorite into a mainstream curiosity.

This version of the character works alone, follows instinct over protocol, and treats violence as a blunt but necessary tool against systems already rotting from within. The series itself still does not have a confirmed release date, but reports point toward a spring debut. 

With new first looks now out and more names stepping into Spider-Noir’s shadowed world, the series is beginning to define itself through its cast rather than its concept alone. 

Marvel Dreams an Ultimate NYC Team-Up With Spiderman and Daredevil for a Modern Classic Comic Adaptation

What do you think of the cast so far? Which performances are you most curious to see? Share your thoughts.