‘Spider-Man’ Sony Universe TV Series Nears Amazon Order (EXCLUSIVE)

EXCLUSIVE: Will the real Ben Reilly please stand up? Prime Video is closing in on an order for a new series set in Sony Pictures’ Universe of Marvel Characters based on the popular Clone Saga storyline from the Marvel Comics, more specifically the second Clone Saga story arc that focuses on two Spider-Man clones, Ben Reilly and Kaine Parker, sources tell Deadline.

Reps for Amazon MGM Studios and Sony TV declined comment.

The new series, written by American Born Chinese creator Kelvin Yu, will succeed Spider-Noir, which was recently canceled by Prime Video after one season. It starred Nicolas Cage as Ben Reilly whose alter ego was the title character. In the comic books, Spider-Man Noir is Peter Parker, with the identity switched for the TV series because of rights carveouts.

Details about the new series are scarce.

In the comics, Ben Reilly is a successful, stable Spider-Man clone whose name is a combination of the first name of Peter’s uncle Ben and the maiden name of his aunt May and who develops a superhero identity of his own, the Scarlet Spider. Kaine Parker is the flawed first clone of Spider-Man.

Sources caution that, while the comics serve as source material and inspiration, there may be significant changes in the screen adaptation.

There is some conflicting information, with some saying that the TV series would follow Ben and Kaine as they grapple with their newly discovered identities as clones while also facing other clones. (Another clone in the comics becomes the villain Spidercide.)

Others claim that the series may alter Ben and Kaine’s origins as clones, and they could take on new identities.

In what is considered Clone Saga’s most controversial twist in the books, Ben Reilly at one point is declared the real Spider-Man and Peter Parker the clone, a switch that was eventually reversed after backlash from fans.

Like Spider-Noir, the new series falls under the multi-title deal between Amazon MGM Studios and Sony Pictures Television aimed at generating a suite of TV series based on IP from Sony’ Universe of Marvel Characters, most of them in the world of Spider-Man. It also will have a linear debut on Amazon’s MGM+ platform followed by a streaming release on sibling Prime Video.

Amy Pascal, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, who oversee the universe for Sony TV and executive produced Spider-Noir, are expected to also executive produce the Clone Saga series with Yu.

As Deadline reported at the time of the Spider-Noir cancellation earlier this month, Amazon and Sony TV were continuing to develop multiple projects under the pact, with one of them nearing a series order.