As The Amazing Spider-Man 2 approaches its release date in less than a month Sony Pictures is intensifying their plans to put out a Spidey-related feature each year (as we reported here) by finally signing a director for their Sinister Six spin-off movie that would focus on an epic teaming of the Marvel-ous web-slingin’ superhero’s greatest villains.

Back in December it was revealed that Cabin in the Woods director Drew Goddard had come on board to write and potentially direct the film. Now it looks as if Goddard is officially being given the director’s chair on the still-gestating project which may not see a theatrical release until after The Amazing Spider-Man 3, which is set to open on June 10, 2016.

Goddard is currently serving as writer and show-runner on Marvel Studios’ Daredevil television series set to debut sometime next year on Netflix. He also has written and produced for shows such as Lost, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Alias, and Angel. He was brought in to rewrite the script for World War Z during that film’s troubled production back in 2012.

The classic Sinister Six line-up from the original Spider-Man comics included Doctor Octopus, Electro, Kraven the Hunter, Mysterio, Sandman, and The Vulture. That could be adjusted for the movies as Sony’s rebooted franchise has so far introduced the Lizard (played in the first film by Rhys Ifans), and the sequel will bring in Electro (Jamie Foxx), the Rhino (Paul Giamatti), and the Green Goblin (Dane DeHaan). Trailers for Amazing Spider-Man 2 have also hinted at possible appearances from the Vulture, Venom, and Doctor Octopus.

That could be our Sinister Six, unless Foxx decides not to return for the spin-off. The full team will likely come together by the third movie and Amazing Spider-Man 2 will no doubt feature a mid- or post-credits teaser giving us our first look at more greats from Spidey’s rogues’ gallery cuing up for their big entrance into the series.

Sony is really getting serious about this project by hiring Goddard, a writer and director who brings intelligence and wit to his stories. This would be the biggest movie he has directed so far in his career. Much like his Cabin in the Woods collaborator Joss Whedon with The Avengers, Goddard has the potential to surprise a lot of people with Sinister Six. Here’s hoping his deal goes through with the studio, because if Sony wants these Spider-Man universe spin-off films to work they’re going to need the best talent they can get.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 opens on May 2, 2014.

[Source: Deadline]