LOS ANGELES - The Oscar-nominated co-star of the wine-swilling road movie "Sideways," Thomas Haden Church, has been snared by "Spider-Man's" web to play a baddie in the next super-hero movie sequel.
The actor, who won a best supporting actor nod for playing an unfaithful actor in Alexander Payne's 2004 film, will take the role of the web-slinging hero's archenemy in "Spider-Man 3," the film's maker said Tuesday.
"Thomas Haden Church will be a fantastic and challenging new nemesis and we all look forward to working with him," said director Sam Raimi, who also directed "Spider-Man 2."
"Spider-Man 3" is scheduled for release on May 4, 2007, extending the lucrative life of the blockbuster franchise that has raked in 1.5 billion dollars in worldwide ticket sales.
The new film will re-team Tobey Maguire as "Spider-Man's" alter-ego Peter Parker, Kirsten Dunst as his girlfriend and Church as the arachnoid hero's new and as his still-secret nemesis.
"The identity of the new villain is being kept secret and while speculation is rampant about which character is being called into action, the studio will not comment on the casting beyond confirming Church," Sony Pictures said in a statement.
Church, 44, was virtually unknown in Hollywood until winning his Oscar nomination for "Sideways," but has been in huge demand ever since the film hit US screens last year.
03/22/2005 20:57 GMT