Spidey News!

[shadesong]

Thomas Haden Church, who was nominated for an Academy Award for best supporting actor in "Sideways," has been cast as Spidey's new archenemy in the next chapter of the "Spider-Man" franchise.

Director Sam Raimi made the announcement Monday along with producers Laura Ziskin and Marvel Studios' Avi Arad.

"Spider-Man 3," which is scheduled for release May 4, 2007, will reunite the team that was responsible for the first two blockbuster films, which combined to gross more than $1.5 billion in worldwide ticket sales.

The new film will again star Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker/Spider-Man, and Kirsten Dunst is expected to reprise her role as Mary Jane Watson. Production on "Spider-Man 3" is scheduled to begin early next year.

"In addition to the ongoing relationship between Peter Parker and M.J., these films are driven by the great actors who have brought our villains to life," Raimi said. "Thomas Haden Church will be a fantastic and challenging new nemesis, and we all look forward to working with him."

The filmmakers are not revealing the identity of the new villain.

This rules out Hobgoblin being the new Big Bad. Which is an excellent idea. Let Harry stew and brood for another film at least, please, if only that.

Not revealing the identity of the new villian.

We've already seen Curt Conners. I don't think Raimi would recast Conners.

Venom?

Comments

[shawnj.livejournal.com]

Electro?

[theferrett.livejournal.com]

That was my thought.

[shadesong.livejournal.com]

Please gods AAAAGH not Electro.

Then again, Raimi made Doc Ock cool...

[yendi]

Venom.

Please, for the love of Gwen Stacy's virginal memory, no!

There are few spidey-villains who suck less (the only one that comes to mind, actually, is Carnage).

[shadesong.livejournal.com]

You mean more, I think, sweetie.

[dougals.livejournal.com]

Scorpion?

[chebutykin.livejournal.com]

I have a smidgeon of insider info that it may well be the Black Cat.

[shadesong.livejournal.com]

*coffeespew*

[songwind.livejournal.com]

Isn't the Black Cat female?

Perhaps she'll appear but not as the main villain.

[songwind.livejournal.com]

We've already seen Curt Conners. I don't think Raimi would recast Conners.

Unless the original actor doesn't want to be in Spider-Man 3, or had conflicting obligations.

[zitronenhai.livejournal.com]

The new film will again star Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker/Spider-Man

Oh, thank GAWD.

I want him. *slurp*

[tinhuviel.livejournal.com]

can't have him, he's mine along with Doc Ock. Mine mine mine.

[ewin.livejournal.com]

Man.

Now I know why I need to see Sideways... I didn't realize THC was gettin' LUV finally! I've always thought he was absurdly talented.

[shadesong.livejournal.com]

You did?

[auryn29a.livejournal.com]

I hope it's not the guy in the rhino suit.

Sandman? I think that would be a mistake.

I was also thinking...it's about time for a cameo. In the 80s, every new Marvel comic, by the time it got to issue #3, Spiderman had guest-starred. Eventually, though, it became Wolverine who'd guest-star. I think it's time for an X-man to show up. Just have Bobby pass by him in a hallway or something and give him strange looks. Better yet, Firestar, holding a really hairy dog.

[shadesong.livejournal.com]

They should seriously give him two new college friends. Bobby and Angela. Just that. No powers, no adventures, just name-drop. Bobby and Angela. Just for us.

[unwilly.livejournal.com]

Why do you think Hobgoblin is ruled out?

Depending on which version of HG they use Church could be Ned, or one of the merc hobgoblins.

Still I think there could be many villians in the next movie, with Church only being one character.

Heck, he could be Venom, Electro, the Shocker, Scorpion, Mysterio...pretty much anybody but Rhino.

[shadesong.livejournal.com]

I really, REALLY think Raimi wants to do the Harry Osborn Hobgoblin. I'd be very surprised if he goes for anyone else as Hobgoblin.

[sophocles.livejournal.com]

He would make a GREAT Eddie Brock. He's too smart/goofy for Rhino. I know they've done concept art for pretty everyone including Venom. I REALLY didn't like what they had for Venom. If they screw up Venom it might very well mean the death of the franchise and Rami knows this.

[techempage.livejournal.com]

Perhaps Mysterio.

[chebutykin.livejournal.com]

I think that's actually a good candidate.

[fmh.livejournal.com]

To much backstory for Venom and to rewrite it might dilute the character.
Kraven?
The Scorpion maybe?

[aussie-nyc.livejournal.com]

Didn't Punisher start comic life as a Spiderman villain?

[robyn-ma.livejournal.com]

Tom Jane already played him last year. :)

[robyn-ma.livejournal.com]

Forbush-Man. :)

[yendi]

sweinberg's post here, alas, establishes that it's like Venom.

[yendi]

Erm. "Likely."

[nishar.livejournal.com]

I am hoping for a team of baddies to tangle with Spiderman. The new Hobgoblin, the Shocker and maybe Electro. Now that would be a fun movie.

[lbitw.livejournal.com]

This rules out Hobgoblin being the new Big Bad. Which is an excellent idea. Let Harry stew and brood for another film at least, please, if only that.

I thought that it was just some guy that found one of Goblin's lairs and ended up becoming the Hobgoblin that way.

Still, I think that Venom would be a bad choice. Of course, it is Raimi. He would probably do better then Lucas.

[raptorgirl.livejournal.com]

I don't care; I just want more shots of Tobey Maguire with his shirt off.

[raptorgirl.livejournal.com]

Was I the only person who thought Thomas Hayden Church wasn't that great in "Sideways?"

[shadesong.livejournal.com]

He was playing the same character he always plays.

I would like to know who he fellated to get nominated instead of Giamatti, please.