Rumors continue to fly about the upcoming major motion picture sequels based on the successful Marvel Comics characters, according to Dark Horizons.

The latest word from IGN FilmForce is consistent with what has been discussed previously about "X-Men 3," that Dark Phoenix will be the major villain even though her origin and fate will not be the main thrust of the picture.

Though they may appear in the film, don't expect Mr. Sinister, the Hellfire Club or Dr. Bolivar Trask and his creations -- the Sentinels -- to be the dominant antagonists, which is consistent with recent reports from Marvel movie head honcho Avi Arad.

Also, Halle Berry, who has played the weather-controlling mutant Storm in the earlier X-Men films, sounds more and more like she will reprise that role in "X-Men 3."

"I have not read the script," Berry told Comics Continuum. "All I asked is that if I come back, Storm needs more to do. So, if they have in fact written her closer to the comic book, then I'm in. If not, then I'm out. I hope I'm in, though. I love Storm and really want to be a part of the last film."

However, despite rumors that the major bad guy in "Spider-Man 3" would be fan-favorite Venom, Ain't It Cool News reports that contacts at Sony say that Thomas Hayden Church instead will be playing one of Spidey's oldest villains, the Sandman.

Helping back up these suppositions are offices for the film filled with lots of concept art pieces focusing on the character who can transform his body into grains of sand.

These sources say that the Sandman will be an escaped convict who's molecules fuse with sand during an explosion in an atomic testing facility he's using as a hideout. The accident gives him shapeshifting abilities and other skills.

Look for "Spider-Man 3" to be available in theaters on May 4, 2006, with "X-Men 3" set for release at the end of the same month, on May 26.