The Bizarre Reason Nicolas Cage Is Not Called Spider-Man in 'Spider-Noir'

Why isn't Nicolas Cage called Spider-Man in a Spider-Man show? Nicolas Cage stars in Prime Video's live-action series 'Spider-Noir', but not once is his character called Spider-Man, and definitely not Peter Parker. That isn't just a creative choice. According to previously reported Marvel character guidelines, using the names Spider-Man and Peter Parker comes with surprisingly strict restrictions that clash directly with the darker, noir-inspired version of the character seen in the series. So why was Spider-Man renamed "The Spider," and how did Ben Reilly replace Peter Parker? The answer reveals one of the most puzzling pre-production details in 'Spider-Noir' and explains why Nicolas Cage's vigilante can exist without ever being called Spider-Man.