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The release of the first villain images has got everyone buzzing and anticipation is now through the roof. Not just because it’s Spider-Man again, but this time in an alternate version, but also because it’s got one of the all time fan favourites – played by acting legend Nicolas Cage.
What’s really putting this project out on its own is a pretty bold choice – the whole series is going to be in black and white. And that was made clear with the first official trailer for Spider-Noir just popping online and immediately getting everyone talking about it. And with Nicolas Cage bringing his charisma to the screen, you can tell it’s him every time. The whole thing looks like a dark and captivating crime noir film, think deep shadows, rain-soaked streets and a constant sense of mystery that just grips you.
Not by chance is it that Prime Video has decided to go the whole hog and release the series in full black and white – it’s a little odd then that people are asking – why is Nicolas Cage’s Spider-Man all in shades of black and white?
The reason is that the creators are paying a pretty clear homage to film noir – an old Hollywood genre that dominated the 40s and 50s, think gritty detectives, made up plots and high contrast photography that just draws you in. And that aesthetic is right through Spider-Noir; it feels like it’s a part of the story.
Another thing to know is that there’s a key part of the backstory in the comics for Spider-Man Noir – he comes from a universe that’s literally just black and white. There’s a marvellous story to that and also why he gets so curious about things that aren’t black and white – like that old Rubik’s Cube.
Just to be clear, Prime Video won’t be sticking everyone in a corner with just black and white – you’ll be able to also watch Spider-Noir in colour, like a colour version called ‘True-Hue Full Color’. This won’t be some hyper bright HDR business, but a colour job that really captures the vibe of an old colour film. A bit like an oldish detective film look.
The black and white version is a clear nod to the great Humphrey Bogart films and the True-Hue version tries to evoke the first colour films of the time – you get the gist – it’s all about capturing that noir feel. In either case, it’s clear that’s the aim here – to show that the Spider-Noir universe is a unique take on Spider-Man.
Set in 1930s New York, the series is not just about the visuals, it’s about a particular era – an era of crime and corruption but also of a certain type of anti-hero. Then you can watch Spider-Noir from May 27th on Prime Video.
Source: Fandom Wire
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