Rhys Ifans has been cast as Dr. Curt Connors, whose alter-ego is the notorious villian, The Lizard, in Marc Webb’s “Spider-Man” reboot for Sony.

The Wrap squashed the growing Internet rumor that Sony was considering resurrecting Venom for the franchise reboot with the news that The Lizard, a fan favorite in the comics and animated television series, would be Peter Parker’s primary nemesis in the upcoming revamp.

Ifans’ casting marks the final major piece of puzzle in pulling the film together.  Andrew Garfield will star as the hero Peter Parker, while Emma Stone will play Gwen Stacy, a rival to Parker’s main squeeze, Mary Jane Watson.

In “Spider-Man” canon Curt Connors is a scientist who lost his arm in war. Using his scientific expertise he concocts a formula laced with reptilian DNA with the power to regrow his arm. But, of course, the formula transforms Connors into The Lizard, a ferocious scaly creature with aggression issues.

Avi Arad and Laura Ziskin will produce.

“Spider-Man” is set to begin production in December and will hit theaters in 3D on July 3, 2012.