Nicolas Cage criticized what he sees as the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s growing emphasis on fight scenes, comparing its costumed lineups to “a well-funded and glorified WWE.” He also stressed, “I do say this with love,” and praised the MCU’s earlier interconnected character stories. The apparent twist: Cage’s new series, Spider-Noir, is a Sony production for Prime Video, not part of the MCU—and he likes its detective-story approach.
What did Nicolas Cage say about the MCU?
Speaking at Fan Expo Dallas, Cage recalled enjoying the MCU’s earlier storytelling, when films connected characters and their backstories. He then described seeing “50-plus” actors in superhero outfits preparing for fights and said it made it hard for him not to think the MCU was becoming “a well-funded and glorified WWE.” He prefaced the criticism with: “I do say this with love.” (The Guardian, October 1, 2026; TheWrap, September 30, 2026)
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That comparison was Cage’s opinion about a perceived storytelling direction, not an objective measure of the MCU or a criticism of a named film. The “50-plus” wording belongs to his remark; it is not a separately verified count or statistic.
Why did Cage compare the MCU to WWE?
His point was the prominence of costumed characters preparing to fight. Cage contrasted that image with the earlier interconnected character stories he remembered enjoying. The comparison is best understood as a complaint that spectacle and combat can crowd out character-driven storytelling—not as a claim that every MCU project follows the same formula.
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- The Amazing Spider-Man (Spider-Man 2, Spain Import, see details for languages)
What does Cage like about Spider-Noir?
Cage described the appeal of Spider-Noir in terms of its genre and structure: “It was a detective story. There was a mystery there.” Rather than presenting this as a general verdict on superhero stories, he was explaining what drew him to this particular project. (TheWrap, September 30, 2026)
Is Spider-Noir part of the MCU?
No. Spider-Noir is a Sony Marvel-character series distributed through Prime Video, based on the Spider-Man Noir comics character. Coverage describes Cage as playing Ben Reilly, a detective in 1930s New York. It is not an MCU production. (Los Angeles Times, October 1, 2026; Variety, October 1, 2026)
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The distinction matters because Cage has played Marvel characters in separate projects: he starred in two Ghost Rider films and voiced Spider-Man Noir in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Those roles connect him to Marvel adaptations, but they do not make Spider-Noir part of the MCU. (Variety, October 1, 2026)
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How Cage’s contrast between the stories works
| Point of comparison | Spider-Noir | MCU, as Cage characterized it |
|---|---|---|
| Story emphasis | A detective story organized around a mystery, in Cage’s description. | Costumed actors preparing for fights, in Cage’s criticism; he also praised earlier interconnected character stories. |
| Production relationship | Sony Marvel series distributed through Prime Video; not an MCU production. | The Marvel Cinematic Universe. |
| Character context | Spider-Man Noir adaptation; coverage describes Cage’s character as Ben Reilly, a detective in 1930s New York. | Cage did not name a particular MCU film in the reports of his remarks. |
This is Cage’s stated preference and framing, not a definitive judgment that one franchise is inherently more thoughtful or that every MCU story centers on fights.
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