During an interview forVariety, British actorAlfred Molinaconfirmed his return as villainOtto OctaviusinSpider-Man: No Way Home. The actor also gave some previews regarding the dynamics of his return in theMarvel Cinematic Universe.
During the interview, Molina spoke of the rumors that were circulating on the internet about his possible return asDoctor Octopus, definitively confirming his presence in the film:
When we were shooting it, we were all under orders not to talk about it, 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!
The actor, after confirming his presence in the cast ofSpider-Man: No Way Home, told how it was to return to play the role of Otto Octavius:
It was wonderful. It was very interesting going back after 17 years to play the same role, given that in the intervening years, I now have two chins, a wattle, crow’s feet and a slightly a slightly dodgy lower back.
The return of Doctor Octopus
InSpider-Man 2, directed bySam Raimiin 2004, Molina played scientistOtto Octavius, who was supposed to be a mentor to Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire). Due to a laboratory accident, however, he transforms intoDoctor Octopus, so named for the famous four mechanical arms on his back.
The scientist’s obsession with trying to perfect his experimental fusion reactor leads him to collide with Spider-Man and Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst), endangering the whole of New York City. In the film’s climax scene, Peter appeals to Otto’s good side, who decides to remedy his mistake: he destroys his own machinery by dropping it into the Hudson River, whose waters cool the core and deactivate it. In carrying out the gesture, however, the scientist is dragged to the bottom of the river and, theoretically, he drowns.
Jon Watts, the director ofSpider-Man: No Way Home, revealed to Alfred Molina how his character would return to the big screen. The director has stated that “in this universe you don’t really die” and that theDoctor Octopus story will pick up exactly from the moment he drowned in the river, taking the reactor with him.
Spider-Man: No Way Home and the Spider-Verse
The presence of Alfred Molina inSpider-man: No Way Homeseems to officially confirm the opening of the MCU to theSpider-Verse, as happened with the Sony animated film. In addition to Doctor Octopus, in fact,we will see the return of Jamie Foxx as the villain Electro, who appeared inThe Amazing Spider-Man 2.
Given the circumstances, we just have to wait for an official confirmation of the presence in the film of the actorsTobey MaguireandAndrew Garfield, both former interpreters ofSpider-Man.
The release date is set forDecember 17, 2021and we are all waiting for the first trailer.
