Nicolas Cage Says He’ll Probably Not Work With Amazon Again After Refusing AI Waiver on ‘Spider-Noir’

Avatar photoValentina Kraljik
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Nicolas Cage has consistently embraced reinvention throughout his career, transitioning from an Oscar-winning actor to a cult-favorite in action and horror genres. In 2026, he reached a new milestone with his leading role in the TV series ‘Spider-Noir’, which generated significant buzz upon its release.

The show premiered during a time when artificial intelligence has become a hot topic in Hollywood. Cage has been vocal about his concerns regarding AI for years. In a 2024 interview with The New Yorker, he expressed his fears about AI, particularly regarding the potential use of digital body scans from his projects to recreate him posthumously.

During a panel at New York Comic Con on Saturday, Cage elaborated on his concerns. He revealed that he declined to sign a waiver permitting the use of AI in ‘Spider-Noir’, stating that he will likely not collaborate with Amazon again as a result. As reported by Variety, he emphasized, “I am not an AI-friendly actor,” linking his stance to Amazon’s significant investment in OpenAI.

Cage noted that Amazon has invested $50 billion in OpenAI and encouraged the audience to make the connections. He expressed that he does not belong to that club and is comfortable with that decision. His candid remarks were particularly striking, as he directly mentioned the studio behind the show.

The context of his comments adds weight to the discussion. ‘Spider-Noir’ is a live-action series produced by Prime Video and MGM+, developed and showrun by Oren Uziel, with production from Sony Pictures Television and Amazon MGM Studios. The entire season was released in May and is available in both black-and-white and colorized formats.

Following Cage’s comments, Amazon chose not to proceed with a second season of the show. While the studio has not provided an official reason, Cage did not claim that AI was the sole factor. Nevertheless, his statements have added a new dimension to the discourse surrounding the show’s cancellation.

In ‘Spider-Noir’, Cage portrays an aging private investigator in 1930s New York who must confront his past as the city’s only superhero. This role marks one of the most significant television roles of his career, following his previous voice work as Spider-Man Noir in the acclaimed ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’.

The cast also features Lamorne Morris and Brendan Gleeson. Cage has expressed that he was attracted to television for the opportunity it provides to deeply explore a character. He described the project as a vibrant pop-art mashup.

Screenshot 2026 09 05 at 08 06 20 Spider Noir Rotten Tomatoes

Cage remained upbeat about the situation during the panel, expressing a desire to collaborate with young, Gen Z directors who create content in innovative ways, including through YouTube culture. He praised their hands-on approach to filmmaking.

He also indicated an interest in pursuing more television projects. While joking that his agent might be listening, he playfully questioned whether it was acceptable for him to be the first to announce his position. The light-hearted moment contrasted with the serious nature of his message.

Cage’s remarks contribute to a larger conversation about how studios utilize performers’ likenesses. The issue of what actors are asked to sign has become increasingly contentious as technology evolves. For many performers, this concern transcends individual projects and touches on their control over their image.

Cage framed this issue as a matter of survival for actors in an era of rapidly expanding information. During the same appearance, he also hinted at a role in ‘True Detective’. Regardless of what lies ahead, his refusal to sign has positioned him as a prominent voice in this ongoing debate.

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