More news on Sony’s new Spider-Man film has been released. Actor Rhys Ifans has been cast in the part of Dr. Curt Connors; a sympathetic character whose alter-ego is The Lizard.

For those not in the know: Dr. Connors is a surgeon and research technologist who lost his arm in a war he was sent off to. After he returned to civilian life, he became obsessive with limb regeneration and the biology of reptiles. He went on to develop a serum that he consumed; it successfully regrew his arm, but eventually developed a side effect that transformed him into a reptilian humanoid with a penchant for violence.

It’s not yet known if Dr. Connors will become The Lizard in the new Spider-Man movie, but it would be an excellent decision. Dr. Connors is someone Peter Parker looks up to; and he goes through a similar situation of an experiment going awry.

Spider-Man stars Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker and Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy. Marc Webb is directing.

The film begins production in December and will be released in theaters on July 3, 2012. And yes, it will be in 3D. Spider-Man web swinging in a city in 3D? It’s gonna be a trip.