Official: Rhys Ifans Cast as 'Spider-Man' Villain

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The new "Spider-Man" film has found its villain. Columbia Pictures has announced that Rhys Ifans is cast in the untitled Spider-Man reboot as the nemesis of Andrew Garfield's Peter Parker/Spider-Man.

Gushing on Rhys' casting, director Marc Webb states, "What sets the Spider-Man villains apart is the complexity of their relationships with Peter Parker. Rhys' incredible ability to embody both warmth and rage makes him the ideal choice for this character." However, "the filmmakers prefer to not reveal which character Rhys will be playing in the forthcoming film," the statement notes.

Rhys is widely known for starring as Hugh Grant's scruffy lodger in 1999 "Notting Hill" which also features Julia Roberts. He will be seen as Xenophilius Lovegood in "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I" and Edward de Vere in "Anonymous".

Beside Andrew Garfield and Rhys Ifans, "Spider-Man" reboot has also cast Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy, one of the love interests of Peter Parker. Shooting for the action superhero film is scheduled to start in December for July 3, 2012 release in the U.S.