Alfred Molina Returning As Doc Ock In Spider-Man 3?
In the latest of many multiverse rumors surrounding the upcoming Spider-Man 3, apparently, Alfred Molina might return as the villain Doc Ock.
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With multiverses about to become a major part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and some extremely interesting casting news over the last few months, the world of Marvel properties looks to be on a strange, twisty path going forward. Another surprising addition could be coming to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as a new rumor suggests that Alfred Molina could return as Doc Ock in the upcoming Spider-Man 3.
According to Geeks Worldwide, apparently, Alfred Molina appeared on set to work on stunt choreography over the past few weeks. However, even the original post about this rumor states trepidation over the validity of this rumor, since it seemed to be the word of one insider, which has not been confirmed by anyone else.
But Geeks Worldwide also points out that Alfred Molina has spoken in the past about how much he enjoyed his time on 2004’s Spider-Man 2, saying in an interview with Collider from 2014, “I had a wonderful time. I loved it. I mean, I’d go back and do it again in a heartbeat.” The rumor also continues that it is theorized Molina’s Doc Ock could be the villain to unite the Sinister Six.
While having Alfred Molina return as Doc Ock after sixteen years would have once seemed crazy, the latest news coming out of the Marvel Cinematic Universe makes it seem like a legitimate possibility. The first hint that Marvel might be interested in combining the various Spider-Man worlds came when J.K. Simmons made a cameo appearance as J. Jonah Jameson in 2019’s Spider-Man: Far From Home. This at first seemed like a fun little joke, but then it was revealed that Jamie Foxx would be reprising his The Amazing Spider-Man 2 villain Electro in the upcoming Spider-Man 3.
As to how all these worlds could be coming together, it was announced in October that Benedict Cumberbatch would appear in Spider-Man 3 as Doctor Strange. With multiverses becoming a part of the Spider-Man films, there are plenty of alternate Spider-Man movie worlds to play with, with the possibility that the Marvel Cinematic Universe could combine all of them together into one unified universe. Maybe the potential Sinister Six would include Alfred Molina’s Doc Ock, Jamie Foxx’s Electro, and even more villains from past Spider-Man films?
Adding even more fuel to this fire is the fact that Sam Raimi, who directed the first three Spider-Man films, is now a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Raimi is directing Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, slated for a March 25, 2022 release, which sounds like it could connect to Spider-Man 3. It doesn’t sound like anyone would need to convince Alfred Molina to return to the role of Doc Ock, but certainly Raimi back working with superheroes would be an intriguing reason for old favorites to return.
While it’s still uncertain whether or not this rumor is valid or not, Alfred Molina’s Doc Ock is still considered one of the great superhero movie villains, and it would be great to see him return to this role. Even if Molina doesn’t return, Spider-Man 3, currently aiming for a December 17, 2021 release, looks like it is going to fold in multiple spider-verses into one massive, ambitious universe.
