For years, Spider-Man fans have been waiting to see Black Cat finally jump into live-action. Other than the short Felicia Hardy cameo by Felicity Jones in ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’, the popular anti-hero has been frustratingly missing on the big screen.
That might change in 2026, but maybe not like fans were expecting. Before ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ releases in theaters, Prime Video is offering something very different. ‘Spider-Noir’, which features Nicolas Cage as a live-action adaptation of the shadowy web-slinger, will actually unleash a new interpretation of Black Cat, and she does not sound like a conventional one.
‘Spider-Noir’ Brings A Bold New Version of Black Cat To Life
In ‘Spider-Noir’, Li Jun Li takes the role of Cat Hardy, a witty combination of the real Felicia Hardy and her alter-ego Black Cat. Against a smoky, crime-filled backdrop, this incarnation of the character is a nightclub singer and femme fatale who draws Ben Reilly, the protagonist in the film, into a dark underworld conspiracy. It’s a bold reinvention.
Related: ‘Spider-Noir’ Series Plot Reportedly Set To Follow “Golden Age Of Detective Fiction”
Rather than a jewel thief in a catsuit, Cat Hardy seems to be into the traditional noir tropes. She is mysterious, seductive, and possibly a few steps ahead of the rest of the room. It is not yet known whether she will be wearing the Black Cat suit.
However, the fact that she is the main character is an indication that she is not a one-dimensional character. She has been interwoven into the spine of the story. And honestly? It feels long overdue.
The Next Step For Black-Cat Could Be The MCU
Naturally, the bigger question remains: Is this the last time we will see Black Cat in live-action this year? There have been rumors for weeks about an unannounced part of Sadie Sink in ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’.
So, fans started to believe she might be portraying Felicia Hardy. Some think she is being set up to do something completely different, maybe related to the future X-Men plans of Marvel.
In case you missed it: The Real Reason Why Nicolas Cage’s Spider-Man Noir Is Now Ben Reilly
At this point, there is nothing that is established except ‘Spider-Noir’. However, as the next Spider-Man movie is expected to venture into street-level heroes such as Scorpion, Punisher, and Tombstone, the gateway is by no means shut.
While Cat Hardy’s Noir debut is the only live-action appearance of Black Cat in 2026, it is a significant milestone. One of the most interesting allies of Spider-Man, as well as his enemies, is finally getting into the limelight after years.
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