Jamie Foxx is reportedly in early talks to appear in Marc Webb’s The Amazing Spider-Man 2, opposite Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker and Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy. Variety reports that Foxx would be playing the villain of the sequel: Electro, alias Max Dillion, a criminal who has the ability to manipulate electricity following a lightning-infused accident. Electro made his first appearance in the “Spider-Man” comics in 1964.
Electro has long been rumored as one of the lead contenders for the “Spider-Man” sequel villain role following the mid-credits scene that closed out the first “Amazing” movie. In that scene, a stranger appears before Doctor Curt Connors amid an electrical storm, taunting him about the mystery behind Peter Parker’s parents. The scene led many to believe that Electro would be the bad guy behind Spidey’s next big-screen outing, and the Variety report seems to agree with that consensus.
Foxx himself seemingly confirmed the news on Twitter, writing, “Dressed up as Electro for Halloween last night. Costume fits well.”
When asked about Foxx’s potential role at a promotional event for The Amazing Spider-Man DVD release, Webb said: “I think Jamie Foxx is electrifying! I think Jamie Foxx is one of the best actors around today. He’s such a great character actor and he’s a really brilliant guy. I would love to work with him and you’ll be hearing more on that shortly, I’m sure.”
The second Amazing Spider-Man film will start shooting next year and is due to be released in May 2014.