Alfred Molina Will Return as Doc Ock in 'Spider-Man: No Way Home'
THE VETERAN CHARACTER ACTOR CONFIRMED IN AN INTERVIEW WITH VARIETY THAT HE WILL BE REPRISING HIS ROLE AS THE ICONIC VILLAIN IN THE UPCOMING THIRD ENTRY IN THE MCU’S ‘SPIDER-MAN’ SERIES.
Alfred Molina sat down for an interview with Variety on Friday to discuss his supporting role in the Oscar-nominated “Promising Young Woman” and, in the process, opened up about his involvement in the upcoming film “Spider-Man: No Way Home”. Directed by Jon Watts, the third “Spider-Man” film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe will see Molina reprise his role as Otto Octavius, which he originated in Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man 2” back in 2004.
Late last year, Molina’s involvement was seemingly confirmed, not by Marvel Studios or Sony, but by Tom Holland’s “Spider-Man” co-star Zendaya, during her conversation with Carey Mulligan for Variety’s “Actors on Actors” series. Molina revealed that once he signed on, Marvel Studios made a massive effort in keeping his involvement quiet. “When we were shooting it, we were all under orders not to talk about it,” Molina said, “because it was supposed to be some great big secret. But, you know, it’s all over the internet. I actually described myself as the worst kept secret in Hollywood!”
Officially confirming his return, Molina went on to detail some of his concerns about stepping back into the character nearly two decades later. “It was very interesting going back after 17 years,” Molina began, “given that in the intervening years, I now have two chins, crow’s feet and a dodgy lower back.” Molina was concerned about how “No Way Home” would go about bringing back the character after his death in “Spider-Man 2”. Watts’ response was, “In this universe, no one really dies.”
The Multiverse appears to be in full swing, as is the incredibly advanced technology and Hollywood magic used to de-age actors. Molina revealed that, beyond any concerns he may have had with the direction of his character, his biggest question for Watts was regarding how he could possibly look the same as he did 17 years prior. “He just looked at me, and said, ‘Did you see what we did to Bob Downey Jr. and Sam Jackson?'” Molina understood, however, the nature of his character would very well benefit from today’s technology. “I then remembered that it’s the tentacles that do all the work!”
Molina also shared that Doc Ock’s story in “No Way Home” will pick up from the character’s final moments in the river at the end of “Spider-Man 2”. With Molina and Jamie Foxx reprising their roles (the latter from “The Amazing Spider-Man 2”), all three generations of the live-action Spider-Man movies look to be coming together in the next MCU Spider-Man entry.
“Spider-Man: No Way Home” is directed by Jon Watts and stars Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, Jamie Foxx, and Alfred Molina, and is set to release on December 17th, 2021. With Alfred Molina now confirmed to be appearing in “No Way Home”, what are you most looking forward to in the next Spidey film? Let us know in the comments down below!