Jamie Foxx cast as a Spider-Man villain

Jamie Foxx has been cast as a villain in the upcoming sequel to The Amazing Spider-Man.

The Ray actor will play Spider-Man's enduring adversary Electro in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, producers have confirmed.

In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Foxx described his character, whose actual name is Max Dillon, as a "genius electrician-type person".

"He gets the short end of the stick from the whole world... The next thing you know, he turns it on."

Marvel's official description of the character says he is a low level electrician who becomes able to harness vast amounts of electricity.

"While repairing a power line still connected to its spool, Max Dillon was struck by lightning. Instead of being killed, the freak accident caused a mutagenic change in his nervous system, allowing him to generate and control vast amounts of electricity. After creating a colorful costume, Max turned to a life of crime as Electro."

Chronicle star Dane DeHaan has already been revealed as the Peter Parker's tortured best friend Harry Osborn, taking over the role James Franco played in Sam Raimi's original Spider-Man trilogy.

Director Mark Webb is back to helm the sequel after the first film took in more than $900 million at the box office.

Andrew Garfield will keep the role of Spider-Man, while Emma Stone will return as Gwen Stacy.

- Herald Online