Comic actor cast as villain in next 'Spider-Man' film

LOS ANGELES -- Rhys Ifans is playing the bad guy in the next "Spider-Man." But the filmmakers aren't saying yet which character he'll be.

Sony Pictures announced Monday that Ifans, widely known as a comic actor in such films as Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant's "Notting Hill," will co-star as the villain in the superhero adventure due out July 3, 2012.

The studio's announcement notes that the "filmmakers prefer to not reveal which character Ifans will be playing."

The 43-year-old Ifans played Grant's offbeat roommate in 1999's "Notting Hill." He costarred in this year's "Nanny McPhee Returns" and Ben Stiller's comic drama "Greenberg," along with 2009's disc jockey romp "Pirate Radio." He also costars in next month's "Harry Potter" film.