Sony Pictures has a lot of faith in its "Amazing Spider-Man" film franchise. After releasing just one film, 2012's "The Amazing Spider-Man," the movie studio has announced at least four upcoming feature films designed to turn the wall-crawler's allies and foes into Sony's version of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" hits theaters on May 2nd, 2014, with a third swinging into cineplexes in 2016, and now Sony has revealed that both "Venom" and "The Sinister Six" are in-development. You may have gotten a head start, Marvel Studios, but Sony is swingin' up behind you!

Sony to Expand Spider-Man Franchise with "Venom" and "Sinister Six"

Fans have already noticed that "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" is packed with villains, including Jamie Foxx as Electro, Paul Giamatti as the Rhino and someone as a Goblin -- most likely Dane DeHaan -- and that goblin is most likely green. The sequel seems like the perfect jumping off point for a villain-led film like "Sinister Six." But which bad guys will make the cut, and which still unseen villains should be counted among their ranks? Read on to find out CBR's Sinister picks!

Electro

With Andrew Garfield's future as Peter Parker uncertain, the expanded franchise might need a little more star power to attract attention if Marvel's most popular super hero hangs up his tights. Jamie Foxx is a leading man with the level of name recognition Sony will want when launching a risky movie like the all-villain "Sinister Six." Plus, Electro's been a member of pretty much every one of the Sinister Six's iterations, from the comics to the cartoons. This feels like a sure bet.

Rhino

While Paul Giamatti isn't as popular with general audiences as Jamie Foxx, he adds much needed realism to pretty much everything he's in -- even if he is a tracksuit-wearing, forehead tattoo-having, gun-toting Russian thug like Rhino. Giamatti's expressed a fondness for the character in interviews over the years, so odds are he'll be more than game to get inside the robo-Rhino suit for another outing after "The Amazing Spider-Man 2."

Doctor Octopus and Vulture

These two classic Spider-Man villains get lumped together for a number of reasons: they've both been members of almost a dozen Sinister Six lineups; they're both old men that love gadgets; and both of their signature mechanical appendages made cameos in "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" trailer. That quick glimpse inside Oscorp's R&D feels a lot like foreshadowing to us, and considering how vital both of these characters are to the larger Spider-mythos, it would make sense to include them. A new actor will have to work hard to distance himself from Alfred Molina's nuanced portrayal of Otto Octavius in "Spider-Man 2," but the Vulture has yet to be seen on the big screen. "Sinister Six" might be the perfect place for this pair to spread their wings/arms.

Beetle

The Sinister Six is unquestionably a boys club, and that's a problem. To date, there have only been two female members of the Sinister Six, and we think it's worth giving the latest person to wear the Beetle armor some attention. Janice Lincoln, currently flying high -- or at least trying to -- as a member of the bad luck prone Sinister Six featured in the "Superior Foes of Spider-Man" series. She's snarky, confident, smart and capable of putting together a well-crafted heist -- even if her teammates aren't capable of pulling it off.

Boomerang

Every team needs comic relief, and judging by "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" trailer, it doesn't look like it's going to come from the former "In Living Color" cast member. Enter: Boomerang. This guy represents every super villain that's barely a step above a henchman and has no grand scheme for world domination. Boomerang's just a guy trying to get by and stay out of jail. With the other grandiose whack jobs and vicious criminals on this list, the film will need a character that the audience can relate to and root for while also pitying. Imagine Charlie Day in this role, and it'll click for you.

Wildcard: Black Cat

She has to pop up somewhere, because Black Cat is Sony's ace in the hole. After Spider-Man and Venom, Felicia Hardy is the character most capable of heading up a franchise of her very own. As a super capable cat burglar in a universe filled with crazy science, magic and alternate dimensions, Black Cat tends to end up in places most thieves can't even comprehend. Because of that, she's a character with endless story potential. Sony needs to start capitalizing on Black Cat as soon as possible, and since they have yet to announce a solo film for the character, it would make sense to see her as one of the gang in "Sinister Six."

Stay tuned to CBR News for more on Sony's "The Sinister Six" film.