Alfred Molina Returning As Doctor Octopus In Spider-Man 3
Alfred Molina is back as Doctor Octopus in Spider-Man 3.
This article is more than 2 years old
Alfred Molina will be joining the cast of Spider-Man 3 as Doctor Octopus according to sources that have informed The Hollywood Reporter. Add this to the scoop that Jamie Foxx will be returning as Electro from The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and this seems like all the confirmation we need regarding the rumors that Spider-Man 3 will be a multiversal affair that will bring together Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, and Tom Holland as three different iterations of the web-slinger.
This is groundbreaking news since Alfred Molina’s portrayal of Otto Octavius a.k.a. Doctor Octopus is often regarded as one of the best on-screen supervillains of all time. In fact, Spider-Man 2 is one of the most critically beloved superhero movies ever made. Most people were shocked when Jamie Foxx was said to return since The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is almost universally derided. Now, with both of these villains confirmed to be making a comeback, it seems almost certain that Sony is attempting to establish its own corner of the multiverse.
The real big question that this news raises is whether or not Alfred Molina will play a vital role in the story or if he will be a glorified cameo. The fact that we are hearing all these different villains are returning has us wondering if Sony is trying to revive its Sinister Six movie idea from years ago. Not to mention that they also have Morbius in the pipeline. Is all of this an attempt to create a villainous cadre for all three Spider-Men to do battle against?
Hopefully, Alfred Molina will have a significant part to play in Spider-Man 3. The actor is absolutely fantastic at these kinds of arch roles, and his performance as Otto Octavius is not something that should be shilled out for a cheap pop from audiences. If Spider-Man 3 can actually find a fulfilling way to utilize Doctor Octopus and potentially revive him for future films, that would be one of the best surprises to come out of the newest entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
It seems like there is no way Marvel and Sony can deny the multiverse shenanigans that are in store for Spider-Man 3. This announcement of Alfred Molina returning as Doc Ock pretty much puts the nail in their secrecy coffin. It seems like they will have to officially announce the involvement of Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield very soon. Delaying it only makes the impact less powerful. With this big of a news drop, we would not be surprised if Spider-Man 3 drops a set pic that confirms one or both of the other Spidey actors.
What a wild ride we are all in for once Spider-Man 3 finally comes out. We know that the Marvel Cinematic Universe is going to engage in multiverse wackiness, but it is especially poignant to know it will happen with the Spider-Man franchise. The character helped kick off the superhero cinema boom that we are still living in nearly twenty years later. To see all of these actors return for these roles will be a historic piece of blockbuster history.
