3. B.J. Novak's Amazing Spider-Man 2 Role Revealed
The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Marc Webb's follow up to the 2012 franchise reboot, is quickly approaching its May 2 release date, and there are still a number of plot and character details that have remarkably been left quiet. We know that Webb is looking to expand the franchise to become a bit of a Spidey-centric cinematic universe, and is laying the groundwork for two more already-announced sequels, as well as Venom and Sinister Six spinoff films. This means bringing new characters into the fold, showing off some of Spider-Man's extensive rogues gallery. We know that Electro, Rhino, and Green Goblin will all have roles in TASM 2, and have seen hints at other villains, like Vulture and Doc Ock, in the film's marketing. We've also known for a while now that B.J. Novak (The Office) will have a role to play in the film, a part that was completely left secret until earlier this week. Many fans hoped he might be Dr. Otto Octavius, but Webb himself announced on Twitter (though kind of inadvertently) that Novak would instead be playing Alistair Smythe, AKA The Ultimate Spider-Slayer. https://twitter.com/MarcW/statuses/430457648157171712 In the comics, Alistair is the son of Spencer Smythe, who is hired by J Jonah Jameson to create robots known as Spider-Slayers to take down Spider-Man. It gets a bit convoluted from there, but long story short, Spencer fails, and Alistair takes over, eventually cybernetically transforming his body to become the Ultimate Spider-Slayer. We still know virtually nothing about the role Smythe will play in the film, or if he'll just be an Easter Egg or cameo to follow up on later. Fans have already heavily criticised the film for it's villain count, so we'll have to see how well Webb can balance yet another villain in this new Spidey universe.