Thomas Haden Church in 'Spider-Man 3'

LOS ANGELES, March 22 (UPI) -- Thomas Haden Church will play the villain in "Spider-Man 3," although the name of the character is still under wraps, The Hollywood Reporter said.

Church was nominated for a supporting actor Oscar for "Sideways," the 2004 comedy set against a road trip through California wine country. "Spider-Man" director Sam Raimi, along with producer Laura Ziskin and Marvel Studios' Avi Arad, made the announcement Church would join the cast of the third "Spider-Man' movie.

"In addition to the ongoing relationship between Peter Parker and M.J., these films are driven by the great actors who have brought our villains to life," Raimi said. "Thomas Haden Church will be a fantastic and challenging new nemesis, and we all look forward to working with him."

Tobey Maguire is set to return as Peter Parker/Spider-Man, and Kirsten Dunst is expected to be back for another turn as Mary Jane Watson. Alvin Sargent, who wrote the screenplay for "Spider-Man 2," has signed to write the third movie in the series.

Production on "Spider-Man 3" is scheduled to begin early in 2006 and the picture is set for a 2007 release.