'Amazing Spider-Man's Lizard not true villain, says Rhys Ifans

Rhys Ifans has said that he doesn't see Spider-Man foe the Lizard as a supervillain in the traditional sense.

Ifans stars as Dr Curt Connors in next year's reboot The Amazing Spider-Man, a likeable scientist who accidentally transforms himself into a mindless humanoid lizard.

The Welsh actor said that he was drawn to the role because of the character's complexity and desire to do good despite a serious error in judgement.

"Curt Connors is, for my money, the quintessential foil for Spider-Man, in the sense that he isn't necessarily a villain as such," Ifans told Superhero Hype at Comic-Con last weekend. "Dr Connors is a man who wants to save the world.

"He's a very good guy, with access to ground-breaking science, and he makes a mistake, which we all do in life at a certain point. I think that's the endearing and powerful element to Spider-Man and Curt Connors's relationship."

"It's completely Jekyll and Hyde," he added.

The actor also revealed that although the Lizard was created using CGI, the creature's movements were all based on Ifans's own body.

Ifans was later arrested for misdemeanor battery at Comic-Con following an altercation with a female security guard.

The Amazing Spider-Man is due out in US and UK cinemas on July 3, 2012.

Watch the trailer for The Amazing Spider-Man below: