Adapting one of the least popular arcs in the history of comics into a full-fledged series is, of course, a bold move. Deadline has revealed the plans Sony has for the license of Marvel’s most iconic superhero, and you should beware, because there are twists ahead. The next series they are developing to premiere exclusively on Amazon Prime would adapt the infamous second Clone Saga of Spider-Man, which originally appeared in the 1990s.
This decision comes after the cancellation of ‘Spider-Noir’ after a single season, where, curiously, the lead character’s name was changed to that of one of the two key figures the new series will revolve around: Ben Reilly, also known as the Scarlet Spider. The other central protagonist of the adaptation, according to sources, would be Kaine, Reilly’s arch-nemesis. Both share a singular trait in that they are clones of Peter Parker, so they would presumably need to be portrayed by the same actor.
Two Spiders, One Destiny
The original Clone Saga story is one of many, many problems both in its plot and in the writers’ room. It centers on how Spider-Man discovers that, during two decades of publication, he has been a false clone of the real Peter Parker: a man who, robbed of his identity, now goes by Ben Reilly. Behind that revelation lies the hand of the Jackal, the villain who managed to clone him and who wishes to destroy the hero at any cost by creating even more copies, such as Kaine or Spidercide.
There are all kinds of twists in its story, from resurrected characters after long-dead, kidnapped babies and constant identity confusions in an attempt by Marvel to revitalize Spider-Man. The result was two years whose run was negatively perceived by fans, who lamented the chaos the publisher had brought with its changes to the status quo and contradictions. All this not to mention that it culminated in Marvel Comics’ bankruptcy, which perhaps had something to do with it.
Sony Sabe
Although this may seem like a somewhat questionable decision to many, the truth is that Sony knows what it’s doing with the Spider-Man license. After all, in recent years they have released films around the character such as ‘Morbius’ or ‘Madame Web’, while Emmy-nominated series like ‘Spider-Noir’ have shown not to be what the studio needs by canceling it.
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