Some familiar characters could be joining the sequel to Marc Webb's Spidey reboot...

[End credits spoilers for The Amazing Spider-Man]

Those who stayed to the end of the credits after watching Marc Webb’s The Amazing Spider-Man (2012) will recall a scene set in Dr Curt Connors’ (Rhys Ifans) dark cell in which he is approached by a mysterious man who asks the reformed reptile whether Peter Parker (who is of course the alias of the titular hero) knows the truth about his father. This riles Connors, who replies that Peter doesn’t and demands that the shadowy figure leaves the web slinger alone.

While the identity of the shadowy figure remains a mystery, officially at least, the fact that the scene is punctuated by lightning, coupled with a report in showbiz bible Variety suggesting that the character of Max Dillon is being considered for the sequel, a name familiar to long-term Spidey fans, point to the possibility that Electro may well be making his big screen debut in the sequel, which Sony has suggested will be released in May 2014.

In other casting news, Variety also reports that Shailene Woodley, who appeared in last year’s The Descendants with George Clooney, is in talks to play Mary Jane Watson (portrayed by Kirsten Dunst in Sam Raimi’s triology) and that a casting call is out for an actor to step into James Franco’s shoes as Harry Osborn, son of industrial tycoon Norman who is spoken of but not actually seen in The Amazing Spider-Man, but whose Oscorp company is the effective birthplace of both The Lizard and Spidey himself.

[Potential comic book spoilers that may occur in the films]

Bringing in Mary Jane suggests that this rebooted trilogy is sticking to the mythology of the comics more than Raimi did, as Peter Parker was in a relationship with Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone in the first film) until she was murdered by the Green Goblin atop the George Washington bridge, before finding love with Ms. Watson. In the comics, Harry stepped into his father’s shoes after his apparent death the night Gwen Stacy died, blaming Spider-Man for his demise. Casting for Harry rather than Norman, however, may see them skip a generation of Goblins, perhaps having the Goblin Mk2 of the comics be the one to kill Gwen on screen.

By setting Electro up as the main villain in the second movie, a role that despite his sometimes rather weak writing in the comic mythology he is more than capable of pulling off, the scene is set for Harry to be introduced to the audience in time for his star turn in the green tights to round off the trilogy. With the emphasis being so clearly on Gwen in the first movie, it seems unlikely that the writers will pass up the opportunity to follow through with her death, which will provide a huge emotional impact, and give the trilogy the depth and pathos that was largely lacking from Raimi’s otherwise excellent and entertaining trio.

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