Marc Webb, when asked if the shadowy figure at the end of The Amazing Spider-Man is indeed Norman Osborn:
Marc Webb: "There is a silhouette as Peter enters Oscorp on a display, which reads our founder, Norman Osborn. And there is a back-story which I will not reveal. We wanted to convey that there were more forces at work than you may have initially thought. That's all I can say about that. But I invite speculation. I think it's very fun and interesting to listen to."
Webb goes on to say that the shadowy figure may not necessarily be the main villain in the next installment but that he will play a role.
Dr. Connors actor Rhys Ifans on that same end-credits scene:
Rhys Ifans: Connors is sent to an asylum, a high-security asylum, as you would be if you threw police towers across the Brooklyn Bridge. And he's visited by, shall we say, a representative from Oscorp. How he gets into that cell and how he leaves that cell without the guards knowing? We have yet to find out."
Ifans goes on to say the he isn't signed up for more Spider-Man films but and that "nothing is written in stone" but he was happy to see that his character was alive at the end of the film.
I've seen theories about the identity of the shadowy figure ranging from Green Goblin, to Hobgoblin, Mysterio, Chameleon and even Richard Parker. Initially, I thought Connors was simply speaking to a subliminal aspect of the Lizard as he was shown doing earlier in the film. But it appears my theory that it was simply a figment of Curt Connors' imagination is now proven false with the above reveal from Ifans. Who exactly was that man and how did he disappear so quickly inside of a jail cell of all things? Looks like we'll have to wait a while longer for answers.
Running Time: 2 hrs 16 min
Release Date: July 3, 2012 (USA)
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Starring: Andrew Garfield, Rhys Ifans, Emma Stone, Sally Field and Martin Sheen.
Directed by: Marc Webb
Written by: James Vanderbilt (initial screenplay),Alvin Sargent and Steve Kloves (revised draft)
The Amazing Spider-Man is an upcoming American superhero film directed by Marc Webb, based on the comic book of the same name and starring Andrew Garfield as the Marvel Comics character Spider-Man. It is the fourth Columbia Pictures film that portrays Spider-Man in film and is a reboot of the film series that stars the superhero. The cast includes Garfield as Peter Parker and his alter ego, Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy and Rhys Ifans as Dr. Curt Connors. The film will portray Parker as his super powers are evolving in high school.
The film's development began simultaneously with Sony announcing the cancellation of Spider-Man 4. Opting for a reboot with the same production team rather than another sequel, the studio announced a July 2012 release date for what was now titled The Amazing Spider-Man. James Vanderbilt was hired to write the script while Alvin Sargent and Steve Kloves helped fine-tune the script. Filming started in December 2010 in Los Angeles before moving to New York City with the help of RED Epic camera. The film entered post-production in April 2011.
Sony Entertainment has focused its marketing campaign with a promotional website with released images, 2 theatrical trailers, a prologue screening in certain cities and a video game tie-in being developed by Beenox among other products. The Amazing Spider-Man is scheduled to be released in 3D and IMAX 3D on July 3, 2012. A sequel of the film is being planned for release in 2014 with James Vanderbilt hired to again write the screenplay.