In the world of superhero storytelling, the protection of a hero's secret identity is often a crucial element. I recall being captivated by an episode of 'Batman: The Animated Series' where the villain Hugo Strange discovers Batman's secret identity, only for Bruce Wayne to appear right next to Batman, revealing a clever ruse involving Dick Grayson/Robin in prosthetics and stilts. Similarly, in the new series 'Spider-Noir', the villain Silvermane is convinced that Ben Reilly is The Spider, leading to a tense moment where Silvermane is about to kill Cat Hardy, forcing Reilly to either let her die or save her using his spider-powers, thus revealing his true identity.
This is where Lamorne Morris steps in, embodying The Spider on screen in the Season 1 finale of 'Spider-Noir'. Morris is the first Black man to play a version of Spider-Man in live-action, a fact that holds immense significance. Despite Donald Glover's efforts, a Black man had never donned a Spider-Man costume in live-action until Morris suited up as The Spider. While Ben Reilly's The Spider is not referred to as Spider-Man, it is essentially the same thing, just with a more period-appropriate moniker.
Morris' excitement about donning the costume is palpable. He describes it as a dream come true, a moment where he could finally embody his superhero dreams. In an exclusive interview, Morris shared his thoughts on suiting up as The Spider, expressing his joy and the surreal experience it was. He describes the process of trying on the costume and the sheer joy of moving around in it, even suggesting that if Nic Cage doesn't want to reprise the role, he's more than willing to take over.
But Morris' role in 'Spider-Noir' extends beyond suiting up as The Spider. He plays Robbie Robertson, a journalist who pounds the pavement and follows leads. The series is now available on Prime Video and MGM+, offering viewers a chance to witness Morris' multifaceted performance. This is a significant moment in superhero storytelling, not just for Morris but for the entire industry, as it marks a step towards greater diversity and representation in live-action superhero roles.
