Summary
Marvel’s upcomingSpider-Noirseries just potentially cast their ideal Spider-Man villain. Spider-Man Noir debuted in the Marvel Comics in 2009, but the character became incredibly popular after his breakout appearance in 2018’sSpider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse. The noir-themed take on Spider-Man operates during the years of the Great Depression and World War II, taking on a range of enemies from New York City crime lords to Nazi German forces. After the character was incredibly well-received inInto The Spider-Verse,a live-action Spider-Man Noir solo seriesabout the character was ordered.
Spider-Noir, which is a collaboration effort between Sony Pictures TV, Prime Video, and MGM+ aims to premiere in 2025. Academy Award winner Nicolas Cage voiced Spider-Man Noir inInto The Spider-Verse, and he will return to play the Spider-Man variant in theupcoming Marvel release.New Girlactor Lamorne Morris was also confirmed to join the series as the Daily Bugle editor Robbie Robertson.Spider-Noirjust confirmed its third official cast member, and while his exact character is unknown at the moment, there is aniconic Spider-Man villainthat he could play.
All 9 Nicolas Cage Comic Book Movie Roles Explained
An extensive review of Cage’s comic book roles helps in understanding his recent casting as Spider-Man in the live-action Prime Video series Noir.
Spider-Man Noir Has Cast Brendan Gleeson As The Villain
Gleeson’s Acting History Makes Him An Excellent Casting Choice
As reported byVariety, Irish actorBrendan Gleeson will be joiningSpider-Noirin an undisclosed role. Gleeson’s most notable role as of late was his Academy Award-nominated performance inThe Banshees of Inisherin.He has had success playing political figures, with his performance as Winston Churchill inInto The Stormearning him a Primetime Emmy win and his portrayal of Donald Trump inThe Comey Rulegetting a Golden Globe nomination. Other notable features have included the crime dramaMr. Mercedesand the iconic filmBraveheart.
Gleeson is familiar with iconic IPs, playing Mad-Eye Moody in theHarry Potterfilms and anunconfirmed upcoming role inJoker: Folie à Deux. With such names under his belt, he should feel right at home under a big-name studio like Marvel. It’s reported that he will playSpider-Noir’s undisclosed villain, and given the sheer volume of iconic villains there are to choose from throughout Spider-Man’s history, it’s hard to narrow down an exact guess. However, one of the franchise’s most recognizable villains is already shaping up to be the perfect role for Gleeson.
Why Brendan Gleeson Should Play Norman Osborn In Spider-Noir
Norman Osborn Is Arguably Brendon Gleeson’s Ideal Marvel Show Role
Norman Osborn - founder of the prominent Oscorp Industries - is one of the most recognizable names associated with Spider-Man. Norman created the villain Green Goblin, and though several people have gone on to take up the mantle - including his son Harry - Norman remains the best-known incarnation of the villain. Even among other Spider-Man variants,Norman conventionally remains one of Spider-Man’s main nemeses. Noir has conflicted with Norman plenty of times on Earth-90214, making the iconic cornerstone villain be the perfect role for Gleeson to play inSpider-Noir.
Born with a skin disorder that alienated him from society, Earth-90214’s Norman becomes an underworld mob boss to earn respect. As Spider-Man Noir is no stranger to gangsters and crime lords, he is often at odds with this version of Norman.
This Norman Osborn variant has a unique origin from the usual iterations, as he gets his Goblin name from the mask he uses to hide his skin disorder.Spider-Noirmaking Norman the main villain would work perfectly, both because of how well-known the villain is, but also because Norman still makes sense as Noir’s nemesis on a street level.
Gleeson’s Norman Osborn Would Be Totally Different To Willem Dafoe’s
Spider-Man Noir’s Different Version Of Norman Osborn Would Avoid The Two Iterations Being Too Similar
The most notable portrayal of Norman is undoubtedly Willem Dafoe’s in Sam Raimi’sSpider-Mantrilogy, and Dafoe went on to reprise his role in the MCU’sSpider-Man: No Way Home. Though Dafoe’s return as Norman is still fresh in fans’ minds, Gleeson’s Norman would be different enough to be interesting. Whereas Dafoe’s Norman was portrayed as a creepy mad scientist type, Gleeson’sNorman would be more of an imposing gangster-type villainto fitSpider-Noir’s setting. The two takes on Norman would ultimately have enough differences to not draw direct comparisons.
When Exactly Green Goblin Takes Control Of Norman Osborn In No Way Home
Norman Osborn is seen being taken over by the Green Goblin in No Way Home late in the movie, but the villain had control of him earlier on.
Spider-Noirhas gone under the radar since its announcement but has since been picking up steam as production nears. Brendan Gleeson being cast as The Goblin would allow the show to capitalize on the villain’s prominence while also keeping things fresh with its own iteration of the character, helping ensure the show’s success. Gleeson’s exact villain role inSpider-Noirwill undoubtedly be confirmed soon, and may solidify the hope that Marvel will make the most of casting their dream Norman Osborn.
