Ahead of tomorrow’s trailer, a brand new viral report has surfaced with fictional Daily Bugle reporter Joy Mercado interviewing OsCorp’s robotics specialist Spencer Smythe. It’s not the first time the creator of the infamous Spider-Slayers has been mentioned, so I suspect his possible inclusion will set up the future instalment’s mechanical monsters who will surely cause Spidey a few problems alongside the Sinister Six!
TECH BEAT: EXPLORING MOBILITY
By Joy Mercado
OsCorp Industries wants to usher in an age of robotics, and has pumped piles of cash into robotics research. My interview mission? Pry some secrets out of OsCorp’s Head Engineer, Spencer Smythe.
DB: Can you summarize your recent work in one word?
Smythe: Mobility.
DB: Elaborate, please.
Smythe: If you wanted an elaborate answer, why did you ask for a single word?
DB: Tell me something no one else knows about your research.
Smythe: We have made significant breakthroughs in the field of manned flight technology, fluidity of movement, speed and dexterity evinced by our larger robotic devices.
DB: Hardware or software?
Smythe: Both. One feeds the other. Better machines with enhanced artificial intelligence networks making informed, logical choices at greater speeds. Better bodies and better brains.
DB: And how do you see this being commercially applied?
Smythe (laughing): I don’t do marketing. Engineering innovation doesn’t result from a focus on revenue.
DB: There are rumors the NYPD is interested.
Smythe: Well, if you want to catch the right fly, you have to spin the right web.
DB: Very clever. One last thing, how is it working with your son?
Smythe: Alistair is a brilliant young engineer and I’m thrilled to see his career develop. I’d better watch my back or he’ll have my job before too long!
DB: Domo arigato.
In addition to that latest viral promo, director Marc Webb has been talking about the inspiration for his main antagonist, Electro, played by Oscar-winner Jamie Foxx.
“We wanted some theatricality for this villain. What makes him interesting is the really ironic evolution of the character. He starts off as Spider-Man’s biggest fan and ends up being Spider-Man’s biggest foe. We shot his exterior and then created a glowing light source that is buried deep within his core that exudes and generates electric light. If you look at a cloud when a thunderstorm is coming and the lightning is within that cloud, we use that as a natural inspiration for the character.”
Lead Andrew Garfield, who plays our gifted web-slinger and his alter-ego added:
“Electro is a god in terms of the power that he wields. To be faced with that creates a whole host of problems, obstacles and drama. That’s great to have between those two people.”
Webb again has briefly teased a new state of mind for Peter Parker in the sequel and what Oscorp means to the rebooted series on the whole:
“That’s going to be a side of him you’ll want to relish. This time, there’s a jollity we’ve really embraced. Oscorp is the evil empire and will always be a major player in these films.”
THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2 will swing into UK cinemas from 18th April and the US on the 2nd May 2014. It stars Andrew Garfield, Jamie Foxx, Emma Stone, B.J. Novak, Denis Leary, Sally Field, Martin Sheen, Chris Zylka, Dane DeHaan, Colm Feore, Marton Csokas, Felicity Jones, Chris Cooper, Paul Giamatti and Sarah Gadon.
Source: TheDailyBugle/USA Today
