The $30 million gamble on dual reality

Prime Video's new superhero series, Spider-Noir, is a bold experiment in viewer participation, offering a unique experience with the option to watch the show in either black and white or color . The series stars Nicolas Cage as a down-on-his-luck PI version of Spider-Man, living in 1930s New York City.

According to the report, production designer Warren Alan Young described the process of making Spider-Noir in both black and white and color as 'like making three different TV shows.' The show's color palate, featuring a mix of cyan, red, grey, and violet, with splashes of orange, was carefully crafted to work in both formats.

A 1930s Manhattan reimagined

To re-create 1930s Manhattan , the production team filmed the show on soundstages in Los Angeles, the backlots of Warner Brothers and Universal Studios, and in LA's historic old bank district.. During his research, Young found the work of Australian-born American artist Martin Lewis, whose 1920s and '30s charcoal and pencil drawings of Manhattan street scenes partly inspired the show's aesthetic.

Young noted details like the letters would be smaller on street signs in the '30s than they are today , adding to the show's sense of realism. 'Even though we're portraying a comic book character, we wanted to be set in a bit more realism,' he said.

The viewer's choice: black and white or color?

Viewers can choose whether to watch Cage in black and white or color, but Young advised starting with the black and white version, as it's a unique experience. The show follows Ben Reilly (Cage), aka The Spider, who stepped away from his superhero past, but now must resume it.

The cast also includes Lamorne Morris, Brendan Gleeson,and Li Jun Li, who faced an 'extraordinarily involved' process to ensure their colors looked good in both black and white and color.

Who is the mastermind behind Spider-Noir?

The report does not reveal the identity of the mastermind behind Spider-Noir, leaving viewers to wonder who is behind this innovative project.

What's next for Spider-Noir?

With its unique blend of noir and superhero elements, Spider-Noir is now streaming on Prime Video, offering viewers a fresh take on the classic comic book character.