Once more Prime Video has placed a large wager on Spider-Man, and this time the gamble rests upon imitations rather than the original.
Deadline has reported that a series order is nearly secured for a new Spider-Man TV show centered on the Clone Saga storyline from the Marvel comic books. The announcement arrives within a month of Prime Video canceling “Spider-Noir,” starring Nicolas Cage, after one season.
The new series will focus on two Spider-Man clones, Ben Reilly and Kaine Parker. Both are clones of Peter Parker, with Ben taking on the superhero identity of the Scarlet Spider. Kelvin Yu (“American Born Chinese”) is set to write the new series, which may make “significant changes” to the story in the comic books, Deadline warns.
The Canceled Show That Came First
Prime Video’s last attempt at Spider-Man was a noir-style reinvention. Cage played a 1930s private eye with secret spidey powers. The supporting cast included Lamorne Morris as newspaper reporter Robbie, Li Jun Li as nightclub singer Cat Hardy, and Brendan Gleeson as crime boss Silvermane.
The series offered two ways to watch: in color, or in vintage black-and-white, to match the film noir vibe. “Spider-Noir” debuted on Prime Video in May, with all eight episodes dropping at once. It earned 11 Emmy nominations and won four.
Prime Video decided to end the show in September, cutting it short after only one season. In a statement, Cage expressed pride in what he and the cast and crew accomplished, saying “For me, one season is perfect, having said what I wanted to say with this dangerous, innovative, pop-art Spider-Man. Onwards, upwards, inwards.”.
The New Series And Its Writers
At this early point, the new Spider-Man Clone Saga TV Show has yet to receive a title. It is expected to get a linear debut on Amazon’s MGM+ alongside its streaming release on Prime Video.
The warning issued by Kelvin Yu’s writing credits include “American Born Chinese,” and Deadline’ points to substantial alterations, indicating the show may move away from the source material in considerable fashion.
What Fans Should Know
This adaptation is the latest screen attempt at the Clone Saga, a major event in Spider-Man lore. The source material is dense, and the story involves a complex web of events spanning decades of comics, along with shifting identities and multiple clones.
Here is what fans should know before the show arrives:
- The show is based on the Clone Saga from Marvel comic books.
- It focuses on two Spider-Man clones, Ben Reilly and Kaine Parker.
- Kelvin Yu is writing the series.
- The show is expected to debut on Amazon’s MGM+.
- It is still awaiting a title.
A Timeline Of Prime Video’s Spider-Man Attempts
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| May | “Spider-Noir” premieres on Prime Video, all eight episodes drop at once |
| September | Prime Video cancels “Spider-Noir” after one season |
| Now | Prime Video nears series order for Spider-Man Clone Saga TV Show |
Many times over, the tale of the Clone Saga has been told, through comics, animated series and prose novels alike. With Kelvin Yu attached to a live-action version, the story of characters fans have followed for years could be approached from a fresh direction.
Our Take On The Bet
A second Spider-Man adaptation attempt from Prime Video is underway, with a premise centered around cloning, coming hot on the heels of a canceled Spider-Man show that starred Nicolas Cage. The scheduling is peculiar.
Kelvin Yu has a track record with writing credits that suggests he can handle the weight of the Clone Saga’s complex story. However, the note about major alterations means that anyone hoping for a faithful version of the tale will need to temper their expectations.
The show’s dual debut on Prime Video and Amazon’s MGM+ is also notable. Prime Video is making a real effort to treat the Clone Saga as a flagship property.
Prime Video is moving toward a decision on The Clone Saga TV Show, which is still in development. However, there is no confirmed series order yet. The streamer’s history with Spider-Man shows does little to ease concerns about the project.
Those who enjoyed “Spider-Noir” may be eager to catch a glimpse of how the Clone Saga adaptation shapes up. The project remains unnamed, and few specifics have surfaced beyond what Deadline has published.
Spidey-fans, how thrilled would you be to catch a Clone Saga TV series on screen? And if you were casting it, who would you pick for the parts? Leave your ideas in a comment below.
See the video the story is built around at TVLine.
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