Will Irrfan Khan Play Proto-Goblin in the Upcoming ‘Spider-Man’ Relaunch?

The upcoming 3-D Spider-Man relaunch may have scored a quartet of cast members today. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Campbell Scott has officially joined the cast as Peter Parker's father Richard, while Julianne Nicholson is currently in talks to play his mother Mary. Perhaps most interesting, however, is the announcement that Irrfan Khan will play the villain Van Atter, which Comic Book Movie speculates may be based on Norman Osborn employee Niles Van Adder a.k.a. the Proto-Goblin. Similarly to Doctor Octopus in Spider-Man 2, Khan's character could be joined by an understanding wife played by Annie Parisse.Regardless of whether he'll be playing a goblin, Khan's Van Atter will be sharing the villain spotlight with Rhys Ifans as Dr. Kurt Connors/The Lizard. Proto-Goblin is a pretty E-list villain to throw in the mix considering his limited comic book appearances, so provided he becomes a part of the film, it wouldn't be surprising to see him pop up in current Marvel continuity over the next year or so considering the upcoming film's 2012 release date.

Of course, "Van Atter" could be an all-new villain. As long as he's cooler than Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark's Swiss Miss, that's not an unwelcome possibility. Khan's certainly got the acting chops to portray someone new.

[Via Comic Book Movie]