Last week, in a trailer designed to showcase classic Marvel Super Villain, Rhino, the release date for the new Amazing Spider-Man video game stole the headline.
But as one of the villains who will square off against Spider-Man in the video game, we owe it to him to give him some spotlight.
As we briefly mentioned last week, this isn't the Rhino you're used to from the comic books. In fact, this is a new, reimagined version of Rhino created by Beenox specifically for the Amazing Spider-Man video game and will not be seen in the theatrical film.
"We really wanted to maintain the spirit of the film in all of the characters we worked on with Marvel for the video game," said producer Stephane Gravel in a developer Q&A. "We also wanted to make sure to incorporate the core traits of his comic book character as well, which resulted in Rhino’s intriguing and complex origin. This has also allowed us to create the most animalistic and ferocious version of Rhino ever!"
"I think the team has done a great job of creating a “movie Rhino” without completely alienating his comic book roots," added Marvel interactive manager Chris Baker. "While he may not be a guy in a big rhinoceros suit like he is in the comics, we do still retain elements such as the character Aleksei Sytsevich and his ties to the Russian mafia. He’s also not entirely bright."
Rhino first appeared in the Amazing Spider-Man issue #41 in 1966. You'd think with such history they'd like to keep him as true to the comic as possible.
When asked why they decided to go with a different version of the character, Stephane commented, "In the spirit of the film, the game is taking a new look at Spidey’s origins, including his nemeses. Building upon our main storyline, his creation is based on a genetic experiment, which also ties to the overall story arc of the game."
Baker added: "It’s very important to root things in the film universe, where the rules are a little bit different, but extra care has been taken to honor the comic book source material as well. I’m not sure how in depth I can get without giving away things about the movie itself, but rest assured that in addition to including the science behind how the Lizard came to be, you pretty much have to involve Oscorp in the mix – and heavily!"
Stephane detailed Rhino as a "hybrid; part rhinoceros, part human. He used to be a human being, but he can’t be considered human anymore. He is driven by animalistic impulses and feelings of fear and sadness – in his current state, he’s extremely unpredictable."
"It’s also notable that Rhino is the only cross-species experiment outside of the Lizard himself who was first a human being," Chris chimed in.
As for the Rhino's mission in the game, he is "only looking to survive", said Stephane.
"Rhino isn’t on a mission here. He wasn’t hired or out for Spider-Man’s blood. He’s escaped from Oscorp and is only looking to survive. He has been rampaging the streets of New York ever since."
Rhino is easily ne of the most recognizable villains Spider-Man faces. Beenox's fresh approach to the Rhino, inspired by the tone of the movie, creates a more "grounded, more realistic" character.
"He’s a grittier, more animalistic and more visceral version of Rhino, his thoughts complicated by a vague sense of who he used to be and overwhelming feelings of fear and sorrow," Stephane concluded.
Baker added his own opinion: "I’m definitely excited about how this new approach manages to honor both the new movie’s universe and the character’s comic book roots. But honestly, the most exciting thing is his appearance, and Beenox has simply created the most fearsome-looking interpretation of Rhino I’ve ever seen. When it comes to character design, these guys really excel."
