New York Post blogger Reed Tucker has been speaking to producer Todd Black. Their chat was ostensibly about Tony Scott’s The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 rehash though Tucker valiantly swung in with a few Spider-Man 4 questions too. Black gamely discussed the involvement of Kirsten Dunst, the villain they have in mind for the movie (what? only one?), and the rumoured wedding between Peter Parker and MJ. But what did he reveal? It’s all coming up, right after this break…

The most solid revelation is that Tucker learned how Kirsten Dunst is “definitely on board”. This is hardly a shocker, despite Sam Raimi recently stoking up suspicions and doubts around the actress’ involvement. Doesn’t sound like she’ll be donning a frilly meringue and veil, though - Black denied any knowledge of the rumoured marriage subplot.

Black also swatted off stories of Morbius being locked in place as the picture’s villain. Let’s just assume we can believe this claim - though, really, official word is never any more reliable the unofficial - and accept that The Living Vampire is well and truly out of the frame. This starts to make Sam Raimi look like the least acceptable source on what is, indeed, his own film. What do you think of Raimi’s pot-stirring? Does it just make for jolly japes, is it a good way to garner publicity, or will you get tired of being steered up dead ends, time after time?

What Black did say regarding the proposed antagonist is really just another flame-fanning clue. Here’s the quote:

We’re just coming up with who the villain’s going to be now. We’ll be shooting in New York again. Trust me, people will appreciate who we pick, because it’ll be a big part of New York.

Tucker guessed this might refer to Kraven the Hunter or The Kingpin, while simultaneously offering reasons for it to be neither. With Kraven, of course, his only connection to New York is his wild incongruity in the city. With The Kingpin, there’s a possible rights issue. The character previously appeared in the Daredevil films, suggesting he’s off bounds for this Sony production.

Personally, I think The Lizard foots the bill best of all - alligators in the sewer and all that. That he’s also compatible with Morbius is quite compelling too - because no matter what Black said, I don’t know that I believe him. Raimi really was giving us some strong Morbius indicators, and Black’s seeming suggestion that the film will only feature a single villain doesn’t quite ring true with me.

All speculation, hearsay and conjecture. Rumours, rumours, rumours. But fun ones, and good to kick around a while, until the big announcements break - right?