With the news leaking that Rhys Ifans will be playing the Lizard in the 2012 Spider-man reboot, and rumors flying that Killer Croc will be the Dark Knight's next foe, there is some concern out there about too much of the reptilian. But is the Lizard really who we'll be seeing in Spider-man? Or is Sony pulling our (and Chris Nolan's) leg?
Think about this...2012 will be home of the Avengers already, plus the new Batman and Spider-man films. With all the hype surrounding the Avengers and Batman, a Spider-man film could be knocked down a few notches on the publicity scale. In addition, fans are expecting to see quality films when it comes to Batman and the Avengers, because they are franchises already established. The Spider-man reboot however, being the first of a new series, REALLY needs to get off on the right foot. So picture this scenario...
Sony, along with everyone else, get wind of rumors that Killer Croc will be the villain in Batman 3. They hold the rights to use a similar character, the Lizard, in their Spiderman film. Now let's say someone at Sony hatches a plan to get a quick step-up on Chris Nolan and the Bat.
Sony brings Rhys Ifans on board to play 'a villain,' then lets the word leak that it will be Curt Connors, AKA the Lizard. This puts the Marvel reptilian maniac one step ahead of the DC one, and Sony gets credit for 'announcing' it first. That way, if a Killer Croc announcement is upcoming, the Croc will be the second on the scene. Plus, Nolan could be forced to reconsider choice of villain, however remote a chance that may be.
And all this really could be done at no risk by Sony. If the Lizard isn't the villain really, all they have to do is say later that Dr. Conners will be in the film, but not his alter ego.
Now, how likely is it that, even if this whole scenario is true, it would really mess up Nolan and Batman? Not very. If I were Spiderman, I'd be worried about Lizard taking a back seat to Croc, not the other way around. And yet again, I really don't think Croc will be the villain we see battling the Bat in 2012. But still, it wouldn't cost Sony a thing to pull something like this, even if true benefits are lacking.