First of all, I should tell you that the information contained here is rumor as far as I am concerned. It may very well be disinformation, in fact, and I wouldn’t be totally shocked if it was.
Second of all, if the information contained here is true, it constitutes a major spoiler for Spider-Man 3. So be warned before reading any further.
Still with me?
OK. The last week or two has seen the rumor that Thomas Hayden Church will be playing Chameleon in the third Spidey film getting some steam. Is it possible? You never know. I still lean towards Church as Sandman, as Chameleon is a sort of a "small" villain to be the main focus of 3 – there’s not any opportunities for balls-out action sequences, unlike a battle with a dude who can turn his hands into big anvils.
Of course, there are two other variables – one is the increasing probablity that Harry Osborne will become the Green Goblin or Hobgoblin in this film, giving Spidey someone to punch. The other variable is Topher Grace. He’s playing someone in the film – someone that many have pegged as a villain – but who?
Here’s where the major spoilers begin:
According to Rich Johnston’s Lying in the Gutters comic book rumor column, Topher Grace is also playing the Chameleon. See, throughout the film Grace’s character will be making moves on Mary Jane, and getting closer and closer, until it’s revealed that he’s just another disguise the Chameleon wears.
Possible? Again – yes. But if true, this represents a major security breach somewhere close to Spider-Man 3, a production that I understand has been shrouded in pretty significant secrecy. When I talked to Avi Arad at Comic Con this month, he indicated that we wouldn’t be getting a villain announcement until next year’s Con, and a leak a year in advance really undermines the guessing game and specualtion Marvel Movies wanted to foster.
Again, it’s wait and see. For my money Church is so perfect for Sandman it would be a shame to not have him as that character.