D'Onofrio Escapes Spider Web

Despite growing support on the Internet, character actor Vincent D'Onofrio (Men in Black) has no interest in appearing in the big-screen remake of Spider-Man as the superhero's arch rival, Doc Octopus (aka "Doc Ock").

"I wouldn't do it," he tells TV Guide Online of the campy villain, who has tentacle-like arms and sports thick-rimmed glasses. "There are certain things you cannot do."

For instance, D'Onofrio ? who next appears as a deranged serial killer opposite Jennifer Lopez in The Cell ? turned down an offer to star in 1991's The Rocketeer, even though "it was more money than I would ever imagine making, and I still haven't made to this day. I was thinking about [doing] it... [but] then I saw myself flying around with a rocket on my back, like this big guinea with a rocket on his back, and I said, 'I can't f---ing do this. This is ridiculous!' "

The versatile performer had the same reaction when approached to star as Fred in this year's The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas. "It was so much f---ing bread and you think, 'Maybe I could make this funny. I made the alien in Men in Black funny, aren't I great?' And then I saw myself in the f---ing outfit and I said I cannot do this. It will not work!"

And although he's not interested in growing mechanical arms in Spider-Man, D'Onofrio ? who also passed on a chance to play Wolverine in this summer's comic-book smash, X-Men ? can't wait to see the movie, due out in November 2001. In fact, he thinks Tobey Maguire was an inspired choice to play the title role. "I love Tobey Maguire," he says. "That's fantastic."