Irrfan Khan will fight the Spider-man

Indian fans of Spider-man have another reason to look forward to the film series’ next installment.

Irrfan Khan has been signed on as one of the villains who will go up against the superhero in a reboot of the film franchise, based on the popular Marvel Comics character.

Sources say Khan will be playing the role of Nels Van Adder, among the lesser-known villains in the comic book series.

According to Marvel lore, Atter is an evil ‘Proto-Goblin’ who worked for Norman Osborne (aka The Green Goblin), also the villain in the first Spider-man film. He is said to have been used as a test subject for a chemical that was developed by Osborne, which turned him into a red beast with fangs and claws.

This film will also see the franchise trying out a new director, Mark Webb, of 500 Days Of Summer fame.

While Andrew Garfield (whom you saw in The Social Network as Zuckerberg’s friend Eduardo Saverin) will take on the role of Peter Parker/Spider-man, Emma Stone will play his ladylove, Gwen Stacy.

While Rhys Ifans has already been signed on to play one of the villains, Lizard, Khan will be introduced as another nemesis of Spidey.

For Khan, who has recently been in the limelight for his role in the American drama In Treatment, the film is another step towards international recognition.

The actor has appeared in A-list Hollywood films like The Darjeeling Limited, New York I Love You and the Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire, and will want to make an impact in a Hollywood blockbuster that will play to audiences around the world in July 2012.

Incidentally, Khan’s co-star in Slumdog Millionaire, Anil Kapoor, was signed on to play a supporting role in the Tom Cruise-starrer Mission Impossible-4 a few weeks back. Hopefully, the two films will bring the focus on — and open up avenues for — other Indian actors too.