Marvel Reveals First On-Screen Look at Its Own Jimmy Olsen

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Marvel has given fans their first look at a new reporter character, similar to DC’s Jimmy Olsen. While superheroes get most of the attention, some of the most memorable comic book characters are ordinary people, particularly those working in the news. DC Comics successfully made reporters like Clark Kent and Peter Parker famous, and now, with Jimmy Olsen back in movies, Marvel is highlighting a reporter of their own.

In the new Prime Video series Spider-Noir, Robbie Robertson plays a role similar to Jimmy Olsen – he’s the dedicated news reporter who’s always right in the thick of things.

Lamorne Morris plays Robbie Robertson, a journalist who works independently and has been friends with Ben Reilly (played by Nicolas Cage) for a long time.

Similar to how Jimmy Olsen acts as a down-to-earth friend to Superman, Robbie serves as a relatable character in a fantastical setting, and that often means discovering things about those around him.

Skyler Gisondo played Jimmy Olsen in Superman and received positive attention for his portrayal, successfully defining the character as both charming and a dedicated journalist.

Now that a TV show centered around the Daily Planet is reportedly being made, it’s clear this kind of story is popular again.

In the TV-14 series Spider-Noir, Robbie plays a similar part – he’s the person on the inside, working as a journalist who investigates stories and takes pictures.

The first trailer for Spider-Noir shows Robbie questioning Nicolas Cage’s character, asking, “What’s going on, Ben?” He doesn’t realize that Ben is actually The Spider – or used to be.

According to showrunner Oren Uziel, Robbie and Ben have a long-standing history, but they see the world in very different ways.

While Ben anticipates failure, Robbie maintains a hopeful attitude – Uziel calls it a “rabbit’s foot” mentality – believing that good luck and determination will help him overcome the hardships of the Great Depression.

This relationship closely resembles the classic pairing of Superman and Jimmy Olsen: a hero weighed down by responsibility, balanced by an optimistic friend, often seen with a camera.

I’ve always felt Robbie wasn’t just in the story, he was a vital part of it. Honestly, he reminds me so much of Jimmy Olsen – always there to witness things, and get Spider-Noir involved. He’s practically the same character, just with a different name!

Robbie highlights a frequent idea in comic books: justice doesn’t always come from fighting – it can be achieved in many different ways.

Before Robbie Robertson appeared as Spider-Noir or was likened to Jimmy Olsen, he was a key character in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man movies.

Bill Nunn, who recently passed away, played the role of a calm and ethical editor at the Daily Bugle. He often disagreed with J. Jonah Jameson (played by J.K. Simmons), consistently defending Spider-Man as a hero instead of a threat.

The movie Spider-Man 2 suggests that J. Jonah Jameson might have secretly figured out Peter Parker is Spider-Man. The upcoming story could explore a similar discovery about Ben Reilly.

Robbie isn’t the only familiar face joining Spider-Noir. The show also features Li Jun Li as Cat Hardy, a new version of the Black Cat character, and Jack Huston as Flint Marko, the villain Sandman. Brendan Gleeson plays Silvermane, a powerful crime boss who shares a history with Ben.

Robbie Robertson’s Spider-Noir Role

Robbie Robertson, now working as a journalist and remaining a close friend to Ben, appears likely to be involved in the larger story. He might document the return of the masked vigilante as Cage’s character comes out of retirement.

Considering Robbie’s background with comics and the trailer hinting that he suspects something is off with Ben, this film offers a potentially thrilling opportunity. The shadowy atmosphere combined with Nicolas Cage’s interesting vision of Spider-Man could put you in the role of a photographer in 1930s New York City.

The show’s use of both black-and-white and color allows Robbie to serve a dual purpose: he acts as both an observer telling the story and as a guide for understanding what’s right and wrong, essentially reporting on a legend as it unfolds.

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2026-03-06 10:35