Paul Giamatti is in talks to join the upcoming superhero sequel The Amazing Spider-Man 2 as The Rhino. Actress Felicity Jones (Like Crazy) is also in negotiations for an unspecified role.

The Amazing Spider-Man stars Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone are returning as Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy. New cast members include Dane DeHaan as Harry Osborn, Shailene Woodley as Mary-Jane Watson, and Jamie Foxx as Electro.

The Rhino character first appeared in the Marvel comic Amazing Spider-Man #41 in 1966, as a Soviet thug who wore a superhuman suit that made him virtually indestructible, while giving him super strength and speed. The part is a dream role for Paul Giamatti, who spoke highly of the character in a March 2011 interview with ShowbizSpy

"I thought Rhino was the greatest thing when I was a little kid. It was a guy who was basically in this rhinoceros outfit and I always thought, 'Why don't they have The Rhino in one of their movies,' but maybe The Rhino wasn't that big of a deal for anybody but me...If they ever go with The Rhino I would be ready and waiting."

Marc Webb is directing The Amazing Spider-Man 2 from a screenplay by Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman, and Jeff Pinkner. Production is slated to begin next month.