Long before Nicolas Cage stepped up for Spider-Noir, he nearly became one of the most renowned villains in superhero cinema. The actor revealed that he was once in talks with director Sam Raimi to play Norman Osborn, aka the Green Goblin, in Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man. (via People)

But as we know, the role went to Willem Dafoe, who delivered such an epic performance that he became the defining comic-book movie villain of the 2000s. So, let’s see why Cage let go of this golden opportunity and what he has to say about his upcoming Spider-Noir series. 

Why Did Nicolas Cage Turn Down the Role of a Spider-Man Villain? 

Nicolas Cage explained that turning down the Green Goblin role in Spider-Man was simply the right creative decision at the time. Though Cage spoke to Sam Raimi, he decided to prioritize Adaptation instead (via People).

It was a Spike Jonze-directed movie alongside Meryl Streep, Chris Cooper, and Tilda Swinton. Adaptation is not as well-remembered as the Spider-Man saga, but it performed well at the time. Still, his decision not to play the Green Goblin, considering how iconic the character is today, sounds quite surprising. 

But Willem Dafoe did complete justice to the role, and it is hard to imagine anyone but him playing Norman Osborn. Even today, his unsettling laugh, eerie expressions, and the showdown with Spider-Man are embedded in pop culture. 

Nicolas Cage on Playing The Dark Titular Hero in Spider-Noir

A still from Spider-Noir | Credits: Sony Pictures Studios

Life has come full circle for Nicolas Cage because in his 60s, he’s not playing Spider-Man, but a variant of the superhero himself. Spider-Noir will feature him as Ben Reilly / The Spider, an older and emotionally worn-out private detective who operates as a masked vigilante in New York City. 

Here’s an overview of the show:

TitleSpider-Noir ShowrunnersOren Uziel and Steve Lightfoot Developed byOren Uziel CastNicolas Cage, Lamorne Morris, Li Jun Li

For Cage, this role was an opportunity to merge his old Hollywood influences with Spider-Man’s mythology. The actor drew inspiration from legends like James Cagney, Humphrey Bogart, and more to shape the character’s voice and mannerisms. 

He revisited old noir movies to tap into that “aura,” and it’s already evident in the show’s trailer. So, are you excited to watch him play an eccentric street-level superhero in Spider-Noir? 

Spider-Noir is set to release globally on Prime Video on May 27, 2026, and will have its US premiere on May 25, 2026.

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