Some websites are claiming to have the inside word on what villains will be included in Spider-Man 3. FreezeDriedMovies claims that The Lizard, Carnage, and Black Cat will be featured in the upcoming fourth film. Call me a little skeptical, but I think this is bogus. From what I’ve heard, no development has even begun on the fourth film (even though the studio was in talks with David Koepp to write the script).

But then the question becomes: What Villains could be featured in Spider-Man 4? Unfortunately most of the big names in Spider-Man’s rogue gallery have already been used (and killed, for that matter). Let’s take a look at the current contenders.LizardDr. Curt Connors was mentioned briefly in the film Spider-Man, and appeared in both of the sequels, where he was played by actor Dylan Baker. So this makes him the perfect choice for one of the upcoming sequels. The Lizard is one of the most interesting of the unused Spidey villains because in his human state he is a friend and ally of Peter Parker, much like Harry Osbourne was. Connors developed an experimental serum taken from reptilian DNA, which he tested on himself and was subsequently transformed into a reptilian humanoid monster. Peter Parker worked as a teaching assistant to Dr. Connors at Empire State University, although Connors had no idea that Peter was actually Spider-Man.

Odds: 95%

Electro

An electrician named Maxwell Dillon was repairing a power line, when a freak lightning accident resulted in a mutagenic change in his nervous system, transforming Dillon into a living electrical capacitor which could generate massive quantities of electricity, theoretically up to approximately one million volts. When his body is charged to such levels, he becomes superhumanly strong and fast. Taking the name Electro, he turned to a life of crime. Electro broke into the Daily Bugle Building and stole from J. Jonah Jameson’s safe right in front of him. Jameson accused Spider-Man of being an alternate identity of Electro. This prompted Spider-Man to prove the publisher wrong. Spider-Man was nearly killed when he touched the electrically charged supervillain. In one story-line, Electro tried to take over New York City’s power supply in an attempt at glory and respect.

Odds: 73%

Hydro-Man

Morris Bench worked on a cargo ship until being knocked overboard while a powerful experimental generator was being tested in the ocean. He was transformed into a being of pigmented water, able to control his own liquid body. Hydro-Man has been a frequent antagonist of Spider-Man since his first appearance in 1981. And while not a big recognizable name, he could be used to create some incredible FX filled action sequences. He is also an occasional ally/enemy of the Sandman (for obvious reasons). So if this character was used, Thomas Haden Church could possibly reprise his role to help Spidey defeat Hydro-Man.

Odds: 68%

Mysterio

A disgraced stunt man and special effects artist named Quentin Beck who donned an extravagant and theatrical costume with a crystal ball like helmet (Amazing Spider-Man #13) and sought to discredit and frame Spider-Man using illusions. He also was able to fog the hero’s Spider-Sense with a special gas and used a a chemical abrasive to dissolve his webbing.

Odds: 64%

Carnage

A combination of Venom symbiote and the serial killer and former cell mate of Eddie Brock, Cletus Kasady. Carnage invades Empire State University and kills a classmate of Peter’s, chip. In the Ultimate universe, Dr. Curt Conners (aka The Lizard) created Carnage using DNA from both himself and Spider-Man. And one must remember that Dr. Connor still has a sample of the Venom symbiote. So it’s very possible that Carnage could be involved in a storyline which also involves The Lizard.

Odds: 46%
Chameleon

The first supervillain Spider-Man ever faced in print (Amazing Spider-Man #1), Dmitri Smerdyakov was a Russian spy and master of disguise. He uses a variety of traditional, high-tech and biologically enhanced ways to change his appearance, believably imitating almost anyone. He also sought to avenge his brother Kraven the Hunter’s death, to become the most powerful crime boss in New York City.

Odds: 61%

Shocker

Herman Schultz developed a pair of gauntlets capable of throwing incredibly powerful vibrational air blasts. His gold and brown quilted costume protects himself from the vibrations. Schultz used the gauntlets to escape from prison and became the mighty supervillain known as The Shocker. He actually defeated Spider-Man in their first confrontation because Spidey had a broken arm from his earlier battle with the Lizard. The character may be perfect as the B villain in a film with The Lizard. Spider-Man has yet to really suffer a defeat on screen, and that could be interesting.

Odds: 42%

Vulture

Also one of Spider-Man’s first villains (The Amazing Spider-Man #2) Adrian Toomes is a former electronics engineer who employs a special harness, a pair of wings worn on his arms, that allows him to fly. The harness also endows him with enhanced strength and somehow increases his lifespan. Other Vultures have included a prison cellmate of Toomes, “Blackie” Drago, and a vengeful university professor who was an expert on bio-mutation named Clifton Shallot. This character could not be the main villain in a future film, possibly a side villain. And I’m pretty sure that an old guy with wings would look ridiculous on the big screen.

Odds: 33%

Hobgoblin

A millionaire fashion designer and criminal named Roderick Kingsley acquired the Green Goblin’s weaponry and used them to further his own ambitions. We’ve already had three films of Goblins, I think this character will be held off until the far future.

Odds: 26%

Rhino

A poor immigrant from Russia named Aleksei Sytsevich participated in a Soviet super soldier program that bonded a super-strong polymer to his skin and gave him enhanced strength, speed, and stamina. He’s a dim-witted criminal and usually robs banks and works as an enforcer for more ambitious criminals. This charact has almost no chance of making it to the big screen. If you thought The Thing from The Fantastic Four movies looked stupid, imagine what a guy in a gray Rhino suit would look like.

Odds: 9%