The upcoming Spider-Noir series presents a darker take on the Spider-Man universe, set in a stylized version of 1930s New York City. Nicolas Cage leads the show as Ben Reilly, an aging private investigator struggling to stay afloat. When he is not working cases, he operates as a masked vigilante known as The Spider. The series blends crime drama with superhero action, as Reilly tracks down dangerous criminals tied to a larger web of corruption.
A newly released featurette, first shared by IGN, offers a closer look at the show’s villains. Several familiar names from Marvel Comics appear in new forms. Brendan Gleeson plays Silvermane, a powerful crime boss who stands at the center of the story. Jack Huston takes on the role of Flint Marko, also known as Sandman. Abraham Popoola appears as Lonnie Lincoln, called Tombstone, and Andrew Lewis Caldwell plays Dirk Leydon, also known as MegaWatt.
Spider-Noir - Exclusive Villains Reveal (2026) Nicolas Cage, Brendan Gleeson, Jack Huston
Silvermane serves as the main antagonist. Gleeson describes him as “psychopathic, but also a little bit smarter than your average narcissist.” This version of the character avoids the more extreme comic book elements and instead focuses on a grounded and threatening presence. He is portrayed as Irish rather than Italian and operates out of a nightclub called The Alcove. Flint Marko works there as his bodyguard. A series of violent assassination attempts against Silvermane draws Reilly into the case and drives much of the plot forward.
Sandman is not presented as a typical villain. Huston describes him as “the ultimate anti-hero,” which suggests a more complex role in the story. Huston also brings a notable connection to classic film, as he is the grandson of director John Huston. His grandfather directed The Maltese Falcon, a 1941 noir film that helped shape the tone and style of this series.
Tombstone also plays a key role. Popoola has said that “he links that classic comic book character with a very grounded story,” pointing to a more realistic approach. Meanwhile, MegaWatt stands out as a different kind of threat. Caldwell describes the character as someone driven by a need for attention, focused on getting “his moment” no matter the cost.
Showrunner Oren Uziel has made it clear that character choices were guided by the story. He noted that Marvel has a “really deep bench of characters” and said he focused on what best served the narrative. Early promotional material has already hinted at more appearances, including Joe Massingill as Electro and Li Jun Li as Cat Hardy, a version of Black Cat. Each character appears to play a role in the larger mystery Reilly is trying to solve.
Whether Reilly can piece everything together remains uncertain. Cage has hinted at a broader future, stating that “this is just the beginning.” The series is expected to launch a wider set of Spider-themed projects that explore different tones and genres. Spider-Noir will also stand out for its presentation, as it will be released in both “Authentic Black & White” and “True-Hue Full Color” formats.
***
English (US) · 