James Franco plays Harry Osborn, the new Goblin, who has a grudge against both Peter Parker and his alter ego Spiderman.

KEY POINTS:

Harry Osborn - the new Goblin
Played by James Franco

Where you've seen him before:

In the previous Spider-Man movies as the son of mad scientist Norman Osborn/Goblin played by Willem Dafoe who died at the end of part one but whose memory haunts his son.

What's his problem with Peter Parker and Spidey?

He thinks Spider-Man killed his Dad. And of course he used to date Mary Jane Watson before she ended up with his high school buddy Parker.

What he says about his character:

"Harry, I don't think he's a bad guy, he's just a confused young man, that's why he's not a typical villain. In this movie he gets a costume but he's not out for world domination or anything, he's not out for personal gain. He thinks he's doing the right thing - avenging his father's death and doing the honourable thing as a son. It's just that he is misinformed about what happened. And because of that there is some audience sympathy for him.

"Even in the comics he doesn't have a lot going on, other than he is tortured. But the way they've written him he's more conflicted than most of the characters in the movie so they have given me a lot to play."

Interesting fact:

Franco originally auditioned for the role of Spider-Man. But having decided on Maguire, director Sam Raimi called him in to offer him the role of Osborn. "So obviously Tobey got the role and it seems silly to say because I don't think anyone believes me but I think Tobey is perfect for the role and he's done a fantastic job."

Eddie Brock - Venom
Played by Topher Grace

Where you've seen him before:

The star of television's That 70s Show is now making his way on the big screen after appearing in Traffic and In Good Company, among other films.

What's his problem with Peter Parker and Spidey?

He's a smooth-talking, ambitious rival freelance photographer for the Daily Bugle who Parker shows up for what he really is. Brock becomes Venom, a toxic version of our arachnopomorphic superhero.

What Grace says about his character:

"I was a big fan of the comic book when I was a kid, especially when I was reading it in the late 80s when Eddie Brock was a huge character and when Venom was born. I'm really not right for the character. [Brock in the comic books] was about 40 years old - huge muscle-bound guy - but what I liked was Sam wanted to have an evil doppelganger for Peter, someone who is deceptively similar to Peter who inherits the same power but does something very different with it. I liked those subtle differences and I know I am close to looking like Tobey - I have lost roles to him in the past."

Interesting fact:

The slight-framed Grace had his hair dyed blond and gained 9kg for the role through diet and gym work. "The minute I could stop working out I stopped. I wasn't really into it and I'm comfortable being a skinny guy. It was getting that at night I would look in the mirror too long. There was a moment when I left the gym and my Dad called me on my cellphone. I said 'Dad I can't talk. I have just left the gym and I am going to the salon'. And he said, 'Who are you?"'

Flint Marko - Sandman
Played by Thomas Haden Church

Where you've seen him before:

Church is now best known for his Oscar-nominated role as Jack in 2005's Sideways after long stints on 1990's TV sitcoms Ned and Stacey and Wings.

What's his problem with Peter Parker and Spidey?

It's more the other way round [Spoiler alert] - Peter discovers escaped con Flint Marko killed his Uncle Ben. Only during his escape he's been transformed into the shapeshifting dust storm with a gift for robbery - he needs the money for his sick kid.

What Church says about his character:

"I become very invested in the characters I play. In Sideways I had a big emotional breakdown and we shot that at the end of the movie. By the time we got to it I was so invested in the guy and his life and what his experience was so it was easy to capture that emotion. I feel the same way about Flint Marko. At the end of Spider-Man he is really struggling with the shame and the guilt and, ultimately, the sadness of what he has done. He's not a bad person. He's just made bad choices."

Interesting fact:

Church was put through the grinder on set in the scenes showing his transformation into Sandman and his subsequent exploits. Which meant a lot of time writhing around in sand or water or getting thrown about.

"I was in the water for a couple of weeks, off and on. I was definitely writhing around in some sand. There are worse things - getting yanked by a ratchet in some of the fight sequences. There was some very real fear in having to do it."