Alfred Molina will reprise his Spider-Man 2 role of Doctor Otto Octavius, aka Doctor Octopus/Doc Ock, in Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios' yet-to-be-titled Spider-Man 3.
News of Molina's return was confirmed by THR, backing up earlier reports about the actor being spotted on the set of the film.
Molina's Doc Ock had his one and only appearance in 2004's Spider-Man 2, the second installment in the Sam Raimi-directed, Tobey Maguire-starring Spider-Man trilogy. As Dr. Octavius, he's a brilliant nuclear scientist and a mentor to Peter Parker. However, when a fusion power project goes awry, the AI-powered robotic tentacle arms he dons to handle the hazardous materials malfunction, burning the inhibitor chip connected to his nervous system and causing him to go mad. As such, he turns to crime to help fund a second version of the experiment.
Filming for Spider-Man 3 began in Atlanta, GA in late October, and while the plot of the sequel is being kept under wraps, there's still plenty that can be gleaned based on other recent casting announcements and rumors. For instance, Benedict Cumberbatch's Doctor Stephen Strange will feature in some capacity, and Jamie Foxx will reprise his role as Electro from The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Both of these announcements have led many to believe the movie will explore the concept of the Multiverse, which was alluded to in Far From Home but ultimately proved to be a ruse by Mysterio. Of course, the aforementioned Sorcerer Supreme is prepared to tackle the Multiverse full bore in his own upcoming sequel, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Aside from Strange, Electro and Doc Ock, Spider-Man 3 is rumored to bring the Miles Morales incarnation of the web-slinger into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Miles was given a quick nod in Homecoming when Aaron Davis -- The Prowler and Miles' uncle in the comics but a low-level criminal in the film -- mentioned he had a nephew. It's also been heavily suggested that the aforementioned Tobey Maguire and fellow former Spider-Man Andrew Garfield could play a role in the film.
Directed by Jon Watts, the currently untitled sequel to Spider-Man: Far From Home stars Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, Jamie Foxx, Alfred Molina and Benedict Cumberbatch. The film arrives in theaters Dec. 17, 2021.
Source: THR