Fans have discovered a potential link between Doctor Octopus and Iron Man in Spider-Man: No Way Home.A Twitter user noticed that an image highlighting Alfred Molina's return as Doctor Octopus in No Way Home shows Doc Ock sporting a change in his appearance. In the past, the villain's trademark tentacles have been cast in steely greys and silvers, reflecting their industrial origins. However, the new look at Doc Ock's extra appendages shows that they will be red and gold at some point in the film. This color scheme is the signature look of Iron Man armor, which implies that the legacy of Tony Stark may continue to haunt Peter Parker.
Since Spider-Man made his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut in Captain America: Civil War, he has been closely linked to Iron Man: Tony's influence was an important theme in the first two MCU Spider-Man movies. With Spidey sporting the Iron Spider armor in No Way Home, it looks like Stark will continue to be important to be the hero, so it should come as no surprise that he would power up yet another of Spider-Man's villains.
In the wake of Tony's passing, Doctor Strange seems to be stepping up as the primary grief-giver in Spider-Man's life. The Sorcerer Supreme's mind blowing connection to the multiverse is at the heart of No Way Home, with his actions seemingly causing the walls of reality to shatter. His involvement also seems to set up Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, which, as the name implies, will tackle similar threats to reality. In a twist of fate, former Spider-Man director Sam Raimi will be directing the Strange sequel.
Though the link between Doc Ock and Iron Man has yet to be confirmed, this wouldn't be the only time that Spider-fans have done some digging to find key information before it became public knowledge. After the release of the first trailer, viewers discovered that it had the Lizard hiding in plain sight, and that an Empire magazine hinted at the arrival of the Sandman. At the time, both were considered to be wishing thinking, but recent information seems to support the appearance of both Sandman and Lizard, showing that the fans were right all along.
With No Way Home reaching into the original Spider-Man movies to find its villains, audiences have been wondering whether it will also bring back prior Peters. Recent images from the set seem to suggest that the film will be revisiting Andrew Garfield's lair from Amazing Spider-Man. Additionally, an outfit worn by Holland's Peter Parker is identical to one worn by Tobey Maguire in Spider-Man 3.
Whether these rumors lead anywhere or not, Spider-Man: No Way Home will be one of the hottest tickets of the winter when it hits theaters on Dec. 17.