Former Marvel villain set to join Justice League

Willem Dafoe played the Green Goblin opposite Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man in Sam Raimi's trilogy.

A former Marvel villain is set to cross over to the DC universe.

Willem Dafoe is joining the cast of Warner Brothers' latest superhero franchise Justice League, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

He previously starred in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy as the villainous Green Goblin.

Details of his new character are being kept under wraps, but the actor will star in both parts one and two of the DC franchise.

Actor Willem Dafoe is set to join the cast of Justice League. Photo / Getty Images

With production starting last week, Dafoe joins Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill who will reprise their title roles from this year's Batman V Superman.

Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman will also return, along with new characters Aquaman, the Flash, and Cyborg, who will be played by Jason Momoa, Ezra Miller, and Ray Fisher respectively.

Dafoe isn't the only actor making the crossover to DC.

J.K. Simmons, who played Jonah Jameson in Spider-Man, has been cast in the role of Commissioner Gordon.

Directed by Zack Snyder, Justice League: Part One will will hit cinemas in late 2017, while Part Two is set to be released in 2019.

- nzherald.co.nz