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Paul Giamatti is Rhino in 'Amazing Spider-Man 2' & Felicity Jones Joins

by Ethan Anderton
January 28, 2013
Source: Heat Vision

Taking cues from some of the other comic book sequels out there, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 seems to have a couple of villains on the docket. We already know that Jamie Foxx is slated to play Electro, but now Heat Vision has word that Paul Giamatti is in talks to enter the mix as The Rhino. Considering Giamatti isn't exactly the most fit of actors and he's certainly not anywhere near as buff as the comic book villain usually appears, this seems like strange, but wholly interesting casting for the comic book sequel. This isn't Giamatti's first comic book film as he led American Splendor, but it'll be his first superhero film. Read on!

For those who don't know, The Rhino has been around since the 60s, first appearing as a thug from Russia who wore a superhuman suit that made him uncannily strong, speedy and invulnerable. The name comes from the fact that his suit had a large, deadly horn on top. What's interesting is that in more recent versions of the comics, The Rhino has become a more sympathetic character who actually becomes an ally of Spider-Man, so maybe Giamatti will have a role similar to that of Catwoman in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises. Giamatti joins newcomers Shailene Woodley (as Mary Jane Watson) and Dane DeHaan (as Harry Osborne) along with Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone reprising their roles.

In addition, another lovely female star is slated to join the mix as Felicity Jones is currently in talks for an unknown role. Jones (Like Crazy) would be an interesting addition to the cast, especially if they decide to start setting her up to become someone like Black Cat. This Spider-Man universe is likely going to expand into a lot of new territory not covered in previous films, but I hope it just doesn't get crowded like the Spider-Man 3, and lose sight of telling this new origin story. Production is supposed to begin in February with an eye towards release in 2014. What do you think?

Filed under Casting, Development, Movie News

From around the web:

Noe

I think I speak for many when I say this: WTF.
- Noe
  
  A good WTF of course.
  - http://juanaricky.myopenid.com/ Juana Ricky
    
    but now Heat Vision has word that Paul Giamatti is in talks to enter the mix as The Rhino. ...WWW.Makecash65dollareveryhouronthecomputer.qr.net/j6Yk/z5OtQwy0a517c
http://twitter.com/Toonfed TOONFED

INteresting, Giamatti is a great actor a not so valored one. and adding him as a massive agressive villain as rhino is a nice twist. Just let's hope they dont use it as a comic relief
http://twitter.com/MrStickHarrison Jaret Curial

Please actually utilize Giamatti in the film, he is such a powerful actor.
Moutchy

Indeed a very strange casting... and I'm not sure if having more than one villain in the movie is such a good idea, I mean, there was only one in the first movie and he was totally uninteresting, so, I don't know...
Greg dinskisk

PAUL GIA-FUCKING-MATTI!!!!! I welcome this with open arms!!!!
Danimal

I absolutely love Giamatti! Though I'm not gonna lie, I never in a million years would would've called this casting choice. I really hope this works out, and I don't have many doubts that it will
dgeet

Its funny cause Paul wanted to play the Rhino wayyyy before the amazing spider man was in theaters which is cool i guess....still fucking random but cool seeing famous 2nd tier villans together
jah p

This is great news!!I love Giamatti and Rhyno is one of my favorites villians in the Marvel Universe! I can't wait!!
- JBrotsis
  
  Rhino...F*** yea! Now they just need to add The Vulture in spiderman 3!
  - LosZombies
    
    Which I hear John Malkovich would be perfect for...
Moviegab

Hope they use multiple villains the right way and that it doesnt end up looking like SP3
- http://twitter.com/WeAreHolograms Steven Morgan
  
  People immediately talk about Spider-Man 3 disaster when they see this. You are right though it was all about how the villains were used. In Spider-Man 3 they felt like plot devices. I think Webb will set them up well and they have good writers. I think we will see Goblin, Electro, Rhino and the death of gwen in one movie. Leading to sinister six and mary jane intro. Hope it is a longer more detailed movie. Most important thing is to not kill off these villains all in one movie like raimi did. Have a movie where spiderman fails
  - http://www.facebook.com/people/Christopher-Philip-Cinquegrano/100000932639147 Christopher Philip Cinquegrano
    
    Harry was awesome in Spiderman 3 , that was HIS movie , they should have never even Brought in Venom till 4 or what they should have done was do Venom for the 3rd an have Harry and sandman for the 4th but thats all over an done with now.
http://www.facebook.com/simon.dark.92 Simon Dark

make it six, sinister six
Comic393

guess Felicity Jones would probably play Betty Brant
OfficialJab

Won't Rhino look outrageously stupid in live-action? That'll be a hell of a challenge.
- Cody W
  
  Hope they go the practical effects route, but knowing 'The amazing spiderman' itll be a CGI crapfest and look terrible.
  - OfficialJab
    
    I hear that. Lizard looked like shit. And his facial design reminded me of the tall Goombas from the Mario Bros movie.
- David Banner
  
  Juggernaut looked like shit in X3......I think you have a valid point.
  - OfficialJab
    
    I didn't hate him so much actually. But he wasn't dressed like an animal. I kinda hope Rhino isn't either. I don't know what they'd do. I just want Kraven...
Joseph

I want Paul Giamatti to play Rhino in the Amazing Spiderman 2 movie and make a action figure toy of him.
the_situasian

Given that Giamatti is such a fantastic actor, and what's been said about him becoming more of a sympathetic character, I'm seeing parallels with Alfred Molina in Spider-Man 2. Give Giamatti a journey from villain to martyr, and with his talent this could be a superb arc.
JJ

How can that moron from The Secret Life of the American Teenager be cast as Mary Jane Watson? I just don't understand what happened....
http://www.facebook.com/people/Christopher-Philip-Cinquegrano/100000932639147 Christopher Philip Cinquegrano

Until they bring in Venom an actually do him justice I want nothing to do with Spidey. JMO plain and simple.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Christopher-Philip-Cinquegrano/100000932639147 Christopher Philip Cinquegrano

PIGVOMMIT!
David Banner

There's a lot of angry scientists in these Spider-Man movies. Not sure if I approve of how we are portrayed in these movies.
- http://www.facebook.com/blake.carver Blake Charles Carver
  
  Quit hulking out banner
  - David Banner
    
    Your first comment was to me, I am honored. You two look cute in the picture
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=628033575 Khyam Baines

I just finished watching the ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN animated show (Disney XD) and they made a wimpy high school kid into the RHINO by him drinking a compound from OsCorp not unlike what Dr. Curt Conners injected into himself in the first 'ASM' - perhaps they'll use this explanation to get Giamatti from his usual self to an 8ft rampaging monster?
tra la la la la di da di da

Reading this I thought Giamatti is perfect knowing how the Rhino is now and build doesn't matter. Rhino always has that suit on so when would be need to see any kind of actually build he has? Good cover up with a terrific actor. I'm hoping with the possibility of Black Cat, the use of Gwen now, and this cast, I'll be able to enjoy this film like Nolan's Batman. First films sucked...
I Hate Hollywood

Wow, and I didnt think it could get any worse than Jamie Foxx as Electro.
http://twitter.com/FidelReyes_ Fidel Reyes

Hmm interesting... Rhyno... A lot of experiments escape Oscorp, I think this movie will have more action, and I hope that this time they do explain "The Untold Story" (I like the first one) I just really wanted to see more of what was advertised, the truth about Peter's parents, and maybe a bit more of conflict within Connors, Like Lizard Connors versus Curt Connors, kinda like Smeagol and Gollum, if they hadn't cut out his family from the mix it could have played out to this sort of thing more. Hmm anyways cool choice, great actor, looking forward to how this movie will play out and set up for Norman Osborn's transformation .
Comic393

that doesn't make sense AT ALL! why not the rock or that one dude who played Ajax in Troy? Paul Giamatti fits more being Doc Ock.
Wafffles

This is gonna be a tricky costume to get right for the masses. They're gonna lose a lot of potential movie-goers if the horn is too pronounced, if the costume is too 'cartoony' and childish...The Lizard had its fair share of backlash for looking silly in the trailers, and IMO a rhino is even more divisive. Heck, I even heard critics complaining that Batman's ears wouldn't appeal to modern audiences for the past three films. If people can find ways to whine about a guy's ears, how are they ever going to stomach a villain with a rhino horn sticking out of his head?
Danish

These sequels need more Venom and Carnage. Seriously, it's been over a decade already.