Summary
While fans anxiously await Nicolas Cage starring in the live-action television show,Spider-Man Noir, an underrated film of his from the 90s could be the perfect thing to watch in the meantime. Set in its own universe, the upcomingMarvelshow will seeCage play a variant of Spider-Man Noir, following his performance as another version of the same character in the Sony filmSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Officially titledNoir,the upcoming series will be on MGM+ and Amazon Prime.
Noirhas the chance to set itself apart from the plethora of existing superhero movie & show adaptations -including the nine comic book adaptations Cage has appeared in- by leaning into the noir elements of the character and blending them together within the superhero genre. Spider-Man Noir isn’t the first character Cage has played within the framework of the noir genre, with one of his best (and most underrated) roles a perfect encapsulation of whatNoircould strive towards, while also showing Cage’s impressive range as an actor.
Nicolas Cage’s Spider-Man Noir Show Breaks A 45-Year Marvel Trend That Needed To End
Nicolas Cage will play Spider-Man Noir in a live-action series, and the actor’s move from the Spider-Verse to the new show breaks a Marvel trend.
Red Rock West Is A Truly Underrated Nicolas Cage Neo-Noir That Pulls Off A Spider-Man Noir-Like Genre Blend
Noirwill need to succeed at two things. It needs to be a gripping noir tale oozing with atmosphere, while also being an engaging superhero tale that can do justice to an offbeat, interesting character like Spider-Man Noir.
The 1993 filmRed Rock Westis a fantastic neo-noir western that typically gets lost in the shuffle of Cage’s often larger-than-life performances, but has received considerable praise as a part of the actor’s expansive career. One of the biggest reasonsRed Rock Westis a timeless classic is the way it effortlessly blends genres together.The movie is a neo-noir western with distinctive thriller elements found inside it, and its story makes great use of this combination, showing that the noir genre is perfect for blending into other genres.
In a similar vein toRed Rock West, Noirneeds to succeed at two things. It needs to be a gripping noir tale oozing with atmosphere, while also being an engaging superhero tale that can do justice to an offbeat, interesting character like Spider-Man Noir. IfNoircan pull off blending the noir and superhero genres as well asRed Rock Westwas able to as a neo-noir western, it could be one of the strongest and most unique superhero adaptations in recent history.
Red Rock West Shows Nicolas Cage’s Range Off Well
Aside from understanding and executing the genres it’s working within to great success,Red Rock Westfeatures an impressively underrated performance from Cage. Nicolas Cage is widely known for his over-the-top antics in films, committing 100% to the material he is given, but his acting range is as impressive as his commitment.Red Rock Westallows Cage to show that range in his performance, mixing together both serious and comedic moments without ever having either one feel out of place.
Nicolas Cage has already nailed the Spider-Man Noir character in theSpider-Versefranchise, but there is still space left to explore the concept. Being able to move from animation into live action for this adaptation of Spider-Man Noir will give Cage the chance to show off his range more directly, as well as his understanding of how to act within multiple genres in the same film. It’s clear Spider-Man Noir’s story is in many ways darker than the traditional Peter Parker narrative, meaning a star who is able to infuse emotion and pathos alongside levity in the series is a must-have.
It’s a shame thatRed Rock Westisn’t as well known as some of Nicolas Cage’s other films, as it provides a more varied look at his acting talents when compared to many more famous Cage movies. However, Noir’s potential success could well mean a spotlight is shined more on the movie, based on their similarities. No set date has been announced forNoiryet, which gives fans waiting for Cage’s Spider-Man return plenty of time to watchRed Rock Westto prepare for it.
Spider-Noir
Cast
In Spider-Noir, an aging and down-on-his-luck private investigator in 1930s New York is forced to grapple with his past life as the city’s one and only superhero. Spider-Noir, starring Nicolas Cage, is the first live-action series based on the Spider-Man corner of the Marvel Universe.
