Finally, there is confirmation that Columbia Pictures will have Willem Dafoe play the role of Norman Osborn, aka the Green Goblin, opposite Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man.

Columbia also spilled a few details (hardly anything we don't already know) of the story, which will center on student Peter Parker, who is bitten by a mutant spider and gains superhuman strength and the spider-like ability to cling to any surface.

Norman Osborn, Spider-Man's arch-enemy, assumes his evil persona as the Green Goblin after an experimental formula blows up in his face. The formula increases his intelligence and strength, but also drives him insane.

Despite reports that the script is undergoing revisions, Columbia continues to give credit to David Koepp (Jurassic Park) who wrote the screenplay. The film is slated to begin shooting in Los Angeles in January, then will move to New York, with an eye to a May 3, 2002, release, the studio announced.