I have stayed out of the Spider-Man 4 rumor game primarily because it seemed like people were rushing names to the forefront after a mere whiff hit their Inbox. However, Movieline‘s latest report just feels right to me as if there is actually something behind it, but that isn’t to say I like what they’re selling.
The latest buzz says John Malkovich will be playing Spider-Man’s nemesis the Vulture with Anne Hathaway currently said to be the top choice for Felicia Hardy, a role that also saw rumored names such as Julia Stiles, Rachel McAdams and Romola Garai.
Now, I apologize for my lack of knowledge when it comes to “Spider-Man” lore, but I will decipher the details as best I can.
Movieline says that while Felicia Hardy’s alter-ego in the comics was the Black Cat, that isn’t the goal of director Sam Raimi’s new film. Instead Raimi’s Felicia will become a brand-new superpowered figure called the Vulturess. So it sounds like we may be looking at a father-daughter villain combo.
Marvel‘s site says The Vulture’s real name is Adrian Toomes and he is a former electronics engineer who employs a special harness of his own design that allows him to fly and endows him with enhanced strength. While quite old, he is spry, and is a virtually remorseless killer. A report on the matter at Slash Film says Malk’s character would also take over The Daily Bugle, which is another change from the comic book.
Of course, none of this is confirmed, but with shooting rumored to be beginning in February or March of 2010 it’s likely all will be revealed shortly.
Personally, the choice of Malkovich doesn’t impress me much. Although I enjoy a lot of what he has brought to movies in the past lately it just seems like he is going through the motions, such as the lackluster effort he brought to the villain role in Eragon. I guess we will see if he has turned things around in Warner’s Jonah Hex because I can’t exactly go by his performance in Changeling when he played a reverend.
As for Hathaway, I liked her in Get Smart so perhaps there is more in the tank, but she has always been a hit or miss performer in my eyes.
