Actor Chris Cooper signed on to play Norman Osborn in the Columbia Pictures film The Amazing Spider-Man 2, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The character of Osborn, the alter ego of Spider-Man's villain Green Goblin, was played in the original movies by Willem Dafoe. Osborn is a mentor to superhero Peter Parker before he turns bad. Cooper will play Osborn but it was not confirmed whether his character will turn villainous in the upcoming film or in a sequel.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 stars Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Sally Field, Felicity Jones and Martin Sheen; Jamie Fox (Max Dillon/Electro) and Paul Giamatti (The Rhino) will play villains. Cooper is the third Oscar-winning actor cast in the film, following Field and Foxx.

The film will be produced by Avi Arad and Matt Tolmach, directed by Marc Webb and is set for release on May 2, 2014.

The cast and production team is currently filming scenes in New York City and photos were released this week by the studio of Garfield, 29, in his red and blue spandex suit performing a variety of stunts.

Golden Globe nominated actress Shailene Woodley was also pictured on set with red hair for her character Mary Jane Watson who will return for the first time since the series was rebooted in 2012, according to E! News. In one photo taken from the scene Parker appears to be having car troubles while Jane is on her motorcycle.

The photos also reveal a change in Spider-Man's costume: the superhero gets a set of big white eyes similar to the kind of costume shown in the Marvel comic books.