Already getting 'geeked' for 'Spider-Man 3' in '07

OK, I know I've written about superhero or comics-based movies so often in this column — especially lately — that I'm running the risk of changing its focus from movies to comics. (Rumors that the column name is being changed to "Talking Comics Pictures" are premature at best.)

But you'll have to forgive me for being excited, or getting "geeked," about some of the developments with "Spider-Man 3," which isn't due until July 2007.

For one thing, director Sam Raimi has already cast the movie's villain — Thomas Haden Church, an Oscar nominee this year for his supporting turn in "Sideways." However, they're not saying which villain he'll play. More on that later.

Raimi and brother Ivan are currently working on the story, and they've recruited veteran screenwriter Alvin Sargent (who also happens to be the husband of the film's producer, Laura Ziskin) to write the script. Sargent's sharp, smart dialogue was one of the best things about the terrific Spidey-sequel.

Also, all of the principal cast will be back, including Tobey Maguire (Peter Parker/Spider-Man), Kirsten Dunst (Mary Jane Watson), Rosemary Harris (Aunt May Parker) and J.K. Simmons (J. Jonah Jameson). So will James Franco, whose character, Harry Osborn, was last seen heading into his late father's secret lair. That's led to speculation that he'll become the next Green Goblin (not to be confused with another Spidey-foe, the Hobgoblin).

No word on whether "Spider-Man 2" supporting cast members Daniel Gillies and Dylan Baker will be back. Their characters — astronaut John Jameson and scientist Curt Connors, respectively — turned into the animal-based villains Man-Wolf and the Lizard in the comics.

All of which begs the question: Which villain will Church be playing?

The Norman Osborn version of the Green Goblin and Doctor Octopus have already been used, so the most likely suspects are:

• Electro, a former electric-company employee with the power to "throw" electricity from his hands.

• Kraven, the world's foremost wildlife hunter.

• Mysterio, a special-effects artist and master illusionist who has what appears to be a fish bowl on his head.

• Sandman, a petty thief with the power to turn his body into sand.

• Venom, who was essentially an evil version of Spider-Man, with a black costume that turned out to be an extraterrestrial parasite.

And no, I'm not making any of this up.