Caught with his pants down! Sideways star Paul Giamatti is dis-robed by Andrew Garfield on set of Spider-Man in New York

He portrays a tough super thug in The Amazing Spider-Man 2.

But character actor Paul Giamatti was clearly playing for laughs in an action-packed fight sequence with Andrew Garfield on Monday.

The stocky 45-year-old had his pants ripped down to his ankles by Garfield's Spider-Man during a bout of staged hand-to-hand combat on set of the highly anticipated sequel shooting in Brooklyn, New York.

Unfair move! Costumed Andrew Garfield ripped down Paul Giamatti's pants on set of The Amazing Spider-Man 2 in Brooklyn, New York, on Monday

The embarrassing incident appeared to be scripted as Giamatti crossed his arms in a cinematic show of defiance towards the masked superhero.

The red and blue costumed vigilante had dis-robed his opponent with a flick of his wrist, utilizing his signature web-slinging powers to humiliate Giamatti's comic book villain The Rhino.

But the school yard prank failed to impress the Eastern European thug, who was clearly taunting the agile youth to resume fighting.

A little woozy? Giamatti looked a bit worse for the wear as his pants hung down by his ankles

Defiant: The 45-year-old crossed his arms clearly unimpressed with Spider-Man's school yard prank

Pants down: Giamatti's Rhino character remained angry after having his pants pulled down

The famously schlubby thespian went through quite the transformation to play his comic book character.

With a shaved head and a menagerie of tattoos strewn over his newly muscular physique, the actor was nearly unrecognisable.

The Academy Award nominated star also sported a black track suit, gold chain, and a barbed wire inking painted over his forehead.

And, action! Andrew Garfield seen in his Spiderman Costume fighting Paul Giamatti

Landing a blow! Paul manages to get the better of Andrew on set

Rhino rampage: Giamatti's Rhino character pulled an assault rifle on Spidey

That's more like it! The Sideways actor pointed an automatic weapon at the costumed vigilante

Wire work: But Giamatti's The Rhino was soon relieved of his assault rifle

Swing and a miss: Giamatti's Rhino took a swing at Spidey after getting disarmed

Quite the difference: Giamatti underwent quite the transformation for his role in the comic book movie, picture in Toronto, in June 2012

Quite the difference: Giamatti underwent quite the transformation for his role in the comic book movie

Quite the difference: The Sideways star underwent quite the transformation for his role in the comic book movie

It's a balancing act this acting! Andrew shows off his guns on set

Just the day prior, Andrew, who plays Spider-Man, was spotted casually holding up a packed commuter bus.

The 29-year-old had an action packed day on set.

First fighting to save the people inside the bus, before climbing onto the hood of an 18-wheeler truck, and squatting in front of the windshield while trying to stop the driver of the massive vehicle.

Using all his Spidey senses - and probably a stunt man - Spider-man was able to launch himself off the giant truck.

Traffic buster: The 29-year-old had an action packed day on set

Clothes make the man: Andrew may be on the skinny side, but as soon as he dons the famous blue and red suit of Spider-Man he is a force to be reckoned with

From walking to crazy acrobatics: Andrew Garfield looks pretty flexible onset

First filmed on Saturday, the driver of the truck, was Giamatti's The Rhino.

It was the first time that the seasoned actor had been seen in costume and he looked vastly different than his bacchanalian character in Sideways.

Giamatti appeared sweaty and furious throughout the scene as he tried to get Spider-Man off his truck.

Taking a load off: Andrew hands around with extras as he takes a break from filming

The Rhino revealed: The other super villain in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is The Rhino, played by Giamatti

Get off my truck! Garfield, in his Spidey outfit, kneels on the hood while Giamatti, as The Rhino, sits inside the cab

Get off my truck! Andrea, in his Spidey outfit, kneels on the hood while Paul sits inside the cab

However, when director Marc Webb yelled cut Andrew went from super hero to super comfy.

The boyfriend of Emma Stone - who also stars in the film - spent most of Saturday chilling in his tight red, white and blue super hero outfit, minus the mask, between action scene stunts.

The rising star wore a black windbreaker in between scenes to stay warm and dry in the chilly, wet New York weather.

Messy 'do: The Amazing Spider-Man 2 star Andrew Garfield had mask and hat hair after being in his Spider-Man costume all day

Messy 'do: The Amazing Spider-Man 2 star had mask and hat hair after being in his Spider-Man costume all day

Surprisingly comfortable? The 29-year-old Garfield wore his outfit the whole day, so it must be at least somewhat comfortable

Surprisingly comfortable? Garfield wore his outfit the whole day, so it must be at least somewhat comfortable

He also sported a baseball cap to cover his mussed hair due to constantly putting on and taking off his Spider-Man mask.

Garfield appeared to have red electrical tape wrapped around the knuckles on the glove of his right hand, though whether this was due to an injury, added protection for the stunts or part of his costume was unclear.

When he was called back to set, The Social Network star put on his mask, fully embodying the costumed superhero, in appearance at least.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is currently set to be released May 2, 2014.