Rhys Ifans on playing Lizard in ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ and being a ‘big fan’ of former co-star, late Irrfan Khan – Exclusive – Times of India

Hollywood star Rhys Ifans has been winning praise for the villainous role of the Lizard in the Tom Holland-lead superhero film ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home‘. Although much of his role in the film is the work of CGI, he does make a brief appearance towards the end of the film sans any scales and tail.

In a candid chat with ETimes, Rhys, who will soon feature as Rasputin in ‘The King’s Man‘ movie, spilled the beans about playing the famed comic-book character, Dr Curtis Connors and about his time on the sets.

When asked if he had more fun playing the comic book character vs the historical figure, to our surprise, Ifans said, “Rasputin was more fun (to play). The Lizard is largely a CGI creation and a wonderful one. But, it was kind of out of my hands. Whereas, Rasputin, was very much mine to toy with.”

Rhys reprised his role as the biologist-turned-beast, nearly a decade after he first appeared in the Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone starrer ‘The Amazing Spider-Man‘. The 2012 superhit film also featured late Indian star, Irrfan Khan in a prominent role as one of the antagonists in the film.

When asked about his time with Khan, Rhys remembered him fondly saying, “What a gentleman and what an incredible actor and great ambassador. I was a big fan of his work before I had the opportunity to work with him in (The Amazing Spider-Man). But yeah, it was a huge loss for you guys and the film industry in general.”

‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ is currently ruling the Indian box office with collections zooming past the Rs 140 crore mark. The film recorded one of the biggest Hollywood openings in India, by raking in over Rs100 crore over its first weekend at the box office.

Meanwhile, Rhys will next be seen in ‘The King’s Man’ that will now release in Indian theatres on January 14, 2022.

Based on the comic book ‘The Secret Service’, the film traces the origins of the very first independent intelligence agency. Directed by Matthew Vaughn, the film also stars Ralph Fiennes, Gemma Arterton, Matthew Goode, Tom Hollander, Harris Dickinson, Daniel Brühl, with Djimon Hounsou, and Charles Dance.