Spider-Noir Producers Reveal The Creepy Difference Between Peter Parker & Ben Reilly

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The creators of Spider-Noir, Phil Lord and Chris Miller, have pointed out a key difference between Ben Reilly (Spider-Noir) and the original Spider-Man, Peter Parker. Fans were first introduced to Reilly in the animated film Into the Spider-Verse, and Nicolas Cage will now play the character in live-action with the new Prime Video series, Spider-Noir. Though Spider-Noir is another version of Spider-Man like Spider-Punk, Spider-Gwen, and Spider-Ham, he’s significantly different from the traditional hero.

While both Ben Reilly and Peter Parker have become Spider-People, Reilly’s personality is quite different from the friendly and somewhat clumsy Peter Parker that fans are used to. According to producers Chris Miller and Phil Lord, in an interview with Collider, Nicolas Cage’s portrayal of Spider-Noir is essentially a person trying to act like a spider.

Phil Lord praised Nicolas Cage’s performance, calling it amazing. Cage came up with a unique approach to the role, explaining he wanted to portray the character as a spider mimicking human behavior.

Both Peter Parker and Ben Reilly have spider-like abilities, such as shooting webs and scaling walls. But these powers haven’t really affected who they are as people.

For Spider-Noir, the story will take a unique turn. Writer Miller built on the character’s background, explaining that being The Spider for so long has made Reilly feel “more spider than human.” This means he feels he has to consciously “act like a human” when he’s in public. According to Lord, Reilly even studies “what actors are doing [in movies]” and tries to copy their behavior in his everyday life.

Chris Miller described feeling deeply changed by a difficult experience, saying he feels more like a different being than a person. He explained that he has to pretend to be normal around others, but can truly be himself when he’s alone.

Phil Lord explained that the character sometimes goes to the movies to observe actors, then tries to copy their techniques in his own life.

Miller and Lord previously explained to Esquire how Nicolas Cage’s character differs from those played by Reilly and Parker. They described Cage’s character as “older and jaded,” someone who experienced a past event that left him disillusioned and shaped who he is today.

Chris Miller described this version of Peter Parker as a significant departure from the movie portrayals. He’s older, more cynical, and willing to resort to physical violence, even when intoxicated.

Phil Lord explained that the person had already experienced a major, eye-opening disappointment a long time ago, similar to the feeling one might get after watching the film ‘Chinatown’.

Years after giving up being a hero because of a painful loss, Reilly is drawn back into action as Spider-Noir when he investigates a strange case. The series stars Cage alongside Lamorne Morris, Li Jun Li, Jack Huston, and Brendan Gleeson, and will be available on MGM+ and Prime Video starting May 25, 2026.

Spider-Man Noir’s Ben Reilly Is No Peter Parker

The recent comments from Lord and Miller really highlight how different being Spider-Man can be for each person.

Reilly’s background is already quite different from Parker’s – he came of age in 1930s New York, experiencing the hardships of the Great Depression, and became a private investigator. However, recent statements show that this new Spider-Man is drastically different from the classic version we know.

It makes sense for Cage to focus on the ‘spider’ aspects of the character. A private investigator’s life—investigating and being discreet—is naturally more similar to a spider’s behavior than the life of a high school student or photographer like Peter Parker. Reilly’s job demands he be observant and elusive, almost like a physical spider, and his past as The Spider will give him a unique advantage in that area.

The story also offers a fascinating look at character. Usually, Spider-Man, as Peter Parker, explores a hero whose personality isn’t that different from his everyday self. But what happens when the superhero side takes over, and being Peter Parker feels like an act? That’s a compelling idea, and Spider-Noir seems to be aiming to explore that.

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2026-03-09 18:05