Alfred Molina to Return as Doc Ock in MCU's ‘Spider-Man 3’

Marvel’s Spider-VERSE continues to get more crowded

It had been rumoured for many months but now it is official. Alfred Molina will be reprising his villainous role as Otto Octavius, better known as Doctor Octopus in the third “Spider Man” film for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The actor originally portrayed Doc Ock in the 2004 sequel “Spider Man 2” from Sam Raimi’s version of the franchise. Octavius was a brilliant scientist who after a freak accident finds himself stuck with robotic tentacle arms attached to his back. He is one of Spidey’s most popular villains.

The casting of Molina had been rumoured for a while as he was spotted on set. Now that its been confirmed, he joins a cast that includes Tom Holland, Zendaya, Marisa Tomei and Benedict Cumberbatch reprising his role as Doctor Strange. Not only is Marvel and Sony bringing Molina into this new instalment but they also got Jamie Foxx to return as Electro from the Marc Webb incarnation of the series. This has created the real possibility that other franchise favourites such as Tobey Maguire, Kirstin Dunst, Andrew Garfield and more may join the cast. Some of those rumors were also announced, yet at this time, nothing has been confirmed.

Aside from his role as Doc Ock, Molina is a respected character actor earning acclaim for his roles in such films as “Boogie Nights”, “Frida”, “The Da Vinci Code” and so forth. He has been nominated for a Golden Globe, an Emmy Award and four Tonys.

As to how Molina and the other potential cast members from past “Spider Man” instalments will fit in this film, it has been heavily rumoured that it will be connected to fellow MCU film “Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness” and Cumberbatch being in this seems to only further that point. The idea of a multi universe with three different Spider-Men coming together is certainly exciting and creates a lot of potential. With that excitement, however, comes some skepticism. There is a chance that we get a convoluted film that is gimmicky and takes away from the development of Holland’s Peter Parker but it could all tie in with Kevin Feige’s master plan that will make sense when we see it on screen.

The third MCU Spider Man film is currently filming and is scheduled to hit theatres December 17 2021