The latest news on Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man 4” is that John Malkovich is in talks to play the villain, The Vulture, “who packs a punch despite his advanced age. The Vulture is able to fly through the air and brandish his sharp wings to attack Spider-Man”.

Anne Hathaway is reportedly the top choice to play Felicia Hardy, a “new super-powered figure called the Vulturess” instead of the Black Cat.  This will indeed be a departure from the comic books.  Other actresses rumored for this role include Julia Stiles, Rachel McAdams, and Romola Garai.

This is contrary to previous rumors that the villain of “Spider-Man 4” would be the Lizard, possibly played by Dylan Baker again as he’s had cameos in the last two Spider-Man movies as Dr. Curt Connors.  Word is that “the suits simply can’t bring themselves to sign off on such an odd-looking enemy — instead, they’d rather hew closer to villains with a human face”.

[Source] Movieline