Recent reports of Nicolas Cage’s Spider-Man Noir project becoming a part of the SSU have given some hope to the Marvel fanbase, considering the disastrous performance of Madame Web. Cage’s rumoured return might end up saving the ailing non-MCU franchise. How?
Sony’s Spider-Man Universe currently comprises four mediocre-to-horrendous entries: Venom, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, Morbius, and Madame Web. While the first two flicks are watchable, the remaining ones are nothing except torture to our precious eyes. Morbius tanked at the global box office, and Madame Web is set to meet a similar fate. So far, the Dakota Johnson starrer has earned nearly $53 million, drastically low compared to its $80-100 million budget and the collections of the previous SSU entries. The lack of fans’ enthusiasm towards Sony’s live-action Spider-Man franchise will surely affect Kraven the Hunter, set to arrive in theatres in August this year.
The lackluster critical reception of SSU entries, along with rumours of Marvel Studios working on Tom Holland’s Spider-Man 4, have taken fans’ focus away from Sony’s Spider-Man franchise. Adding Nicolas Cage’s Spider-Man Noir project to this mess would be a bold move from Sony.
Nic Cage first portrayed Spider-Man Noir in Sony’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018). Despite appearing briefly in the film, the character instantly became a fan-favourite one. The National Treasure actor plays Peter Parker from a universe where he becomes Spider-Man Noir in 1933. He also appeared briefly in the follow-up, Across the Spider-Verse. And he is expected to have a major role in the upcoming threequel, Beyond the Spider-Verse.
The increasing popularity of Spider-Man Noir could benefit Nic Cage’s rumoured project. Moreover, Sony’s animated Spider-Man films’ success has proved that other iconic web-slinger variants are just as prominent as regular Peter Parker among the Marvel fanbase. This gives Sony a brilliant chance to bestow a unique spin on Spider-Man Noir, saving the failing SSU along the way. The production house can make Cage’s rumoured project as thrilling and impactful as the animated Spider-Verse masterpieces. Let’s see what happens. Stay tuned for more updates.