With about six months before Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse's theatrical debut, it has been revealed one past Spider-Man will not return for the Multiversal sequel.
The upcoming Spider-Verse sequel is one of the most anticipated films of the year, as moviegoers get to follow protagonist, Miles Morales, in his next steps of becoming a full-blown superhero.
The film has been called "super ambitious" with a bevy of Spidey Variants already having been showcased in its promotional materials.
And with a couple of familiar faces confirmed to appear in the project, it seems that one notable name may not be back for more wall-crawling fun.
No Spider-Man Noir in Across the Spider-Verse
In a recent interview with Into the Spider-Verse actor Nicolas Cage revealed he would not be appearing in this year's Across the Spider-Verse.
Speaking with Screenrant, the actor's Spider-Man Noir character, who debuted in the first Spider-Verse movie, was brought up with the idea of him returning for the sequel. Cage responded by revealing "[he doesn't] know what’s going on with that."
The Hollywood veteran noted that he "[loves] Spider-Man Noir" but "no one’s spoken to [him] about that:"
You’d have to ask Sony. I don’t know what’s going on with that. No one’s spoken to me about that. Ask them. I don’t know. I really don’t. I wish they would. I love Spider-Man Noir, too. I think that’s a great character. Spider-Man’s the coolest superhero. And then you combine that with Cagney and Bogart and Edward G. Robinson, come on, it’s a great character.
Cage previously sang the praises of Spider-Man Noir, remarking that "[he] really enjoyed playing that part:”
“Spider-Man Noir was great. I really enjoyed playing that part. I liked it because I was able to bring some of my own personal interests in the early actor of the 30's and 40's, like Bogart and Cagney that were in all those noir films. So that was fun for me. And they let me do it, which is unusual.”
Is Nicholas Cage Done With the Spider-Verse?
If one were to look at these quotes and take them at face value, Nicolas Cage will not be back in Across the Spider-Verse. As the franchise moves on to names like Spider-Man 2099 and Spider-Woman, it seems Spider-Man Noir will be left behind.
However, there is always the possibility that Cage could be playing dumb on the whole subject. If his web-slinger were to pop up in the sequel, it would not be the first time an actor lied about appearing in a comic book movie.
Perhaps his character is still a part of the sequel, but the actor wants to preserve the surprise.
And even if he is not in Across the Spider-Verse, there is always the possibility he could reprise his super-powered voice role for the trilogy-closing, Beyond the Spider-Verse.
These next two films have been described as "[Avengers:] Endgame-esque," so a moment in that final film where all the webheads from past films appear would not be out of the question.
Whether Nicolas Cage is in the film or not, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse swings into theaters on June 2.
