SPIDER-MAN VILLAIN ‘THE LIZARD’ GOES FREE

Friday, August 12, 2011: The San Diego Office of the City Attorney has decided not to prosecute Welsh actor Rhys Ifans for misdemeanor battery.  Ifans plays The Lizard in the “Amazing Spider-Man” movie set to release next year.  The movie series is a redo of the Spider-Man story with Ifans playing a scientist who attempts to regrow his missing arm who takes on reptilian features as a side effect and becomes the villianous Lizard.  In real-life, Ifans was cited on July 22 at San Diego’s Comic-Con, where he was accused of shoving a female security guard.  Ifans is reported to have stepped out for a cigarette with a member of his entourage before entering the panel for “Amazing Spider-Man.”  [At Comic-Con, a "panel" is a panel of celebrities who talk and field questions about their upcoming project.]  An altercation allegedly occurred after security had issues with the credentials of the entourage member when Ifans tried to re-enter.  Ifans re-entered and appeared at the panel, but immediately thereafter was cited and released in a non-custodial misdemeanor arrest.  Generally, after police arrest someone, an attorney in the prosecutor’s office will review the evidence to decide whether to bring the case to court.  TheWrap reported that a spokeswoman for the City Attorney’s office said that after a review of the evidence and witness statements, San Diego decided the case against Ifans could not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.  The Lizard escaped this time… Spider-Man, where are you?