Very few actors take command of the screen like Brendan Gleeson does. Throughout an acclaimed career spanning film, television, and theater, Gleeson has delivered unforgettable performances in The Banshees of Inisherin, In Bruges, Gangs of New York, and the Harry Potter franchise. Now, the iconic actor enters the Marvel universe in a bold way as the notorious crime boss Silvermane in the Prime Video series Spider-Noir.
Starring Nicolas Cage, Brendan Gleeson, Lamorne Morris, and many others, Spider-Noir reimagines the Spider-Man mythology through the lens of classic noir storytelling, blending the superhero genre with the gritty atmosphere of 1930s New York. The series marks Cage’s first leading role in a television series and offers audiences a visually stunning world unlike anything we’ve seen from Marvel before.
During a recent conversation with Awards Buzz, Brendan Gleeson discussed attending the show’s New York premiere, collaborating with Nicolas Cage, approaching Silvermane through a noir perspective, and what makes Spider-Noir such a unique addition to the Marvel landscape.
Scott Menzel: How was that New York premiere? It looked amazing!
Brendan Gleeson: I had a fantastic time. It was probably one of the best premieres I can remember because we did it in Times Square in New York. This New York story is where you guys swing around through the buildings, and we’re right there in those buildings. Then we went to the top of the Empire State Building for the after-party, and we were able to step out onto the observation deck and look around at all those places where we had just watched these characters swinging through a couple of hours earlier.
It was a fantastic New York experience. Really, really special. We also got to see the show on a massive screen, and honestly, I completely believe this is something people would go see in theaters. It looked beautiful. The whole thing held up so well. It just made me think, “Give me a bigger screen.”
Scott Menzel: In some ways, this show feels like a part of Hollywood history. Not only is it a darker take on a Marvel property, but it’s also Nicolas Cage’s first time serving as the lead in a television series. You’ve worked with so many icons over the years, but what was it like working with Nick, and what makes him such a great scene partner?
Brendan Gleeson: It was everything I hoped it would be. I hadn’t worked with him before, but I’ve always loved his approach to the work. I love his fearlessness. I love his inventiveness, his creativity, and his commitment.
Sometimes that kind of creativity can come at a price because some actors become very wrapped up in their own process. But with Nick, it was incredibly collaborative and genuinely joyful. It was like a ping-pong match. We’d throw an idea out there and then bounce it back and forth.
That really started from the very first scene we did together. We finished the take, they called cut, and both of us burst out laughing because we immediately recognized that this was going to be a fun ride.
Scott Menzel: You’ve been part of major franchises before. When you’re stepping into a role like Silvermane, do you approach the character differently because there is so much existing source material and mythology attached?
Brendan Gleeson: With this one, it was interesting because the noir aspect was actually more important to me than the superhero side of it. The Marvel universe obviously helps contextualize the world, but for me, Silvermane lives within that noir tradition.
There’s an earthiness to noir storytelling that really attracted me. My approach was much more dictated by the noir elements than by the superhero elements, if I’m being honest.
I’ve worked in worlds like Harry Potter, where there’s a larger, more fantastical quality and that can require a more theatrical approach. But with Spider-Noir, it felt much more grounded. At the same time, you’re dealing with gangsters and larger-than-life personalities, which creates an interesting blend.
What makes this series so fascinating is that it’s really an amalgamation of different genres. You’re combining noir and superhero storytelling. You’re presenting it in black-and-white and color. All of those elements influence how you build a character and approach a performance.
Scott Menzel: What was it about Silvermane that intrigued you most as an actor?
Brendan Gleeson: What I loved about the writing was that Silvermane felt like a real person. He wasn’t simply a villain obsessed with power. There was an actual personality there. There was a backstory. There were emotional complications.
He has things that compromise him emotionally while still being driven by power. That’s what makes a character interesting. You can dig into him and create a life beyond what’s on the page.
Ultimately, every role comes down to asking who this person is and what drives them. What was wonderful about Silvermane was that there was enough there to really flesh him out and make him feel human rather than simply serving a function within the story.
Marvel fans have seen countless interpretations of iconic characters over the years, but Spider-Noir looks poised to offer something entirely different. By blending classic noir filmmaking with the rich mythology of Spider-Man, the series creates a unique visual and storytelling experience unlike anything currently on television. With Nicolas Cage leading the charge and Brendan Gleeson bringing depth and gravitas to Silvermane, Spider-Noir is shaping up to be one of the most exciting and distinctive comic book adaptations in recent memory.
Spider-Noir is now streaming on Prime Video.
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