An actor famous for playing a memorable Spider-Man villain has discussed the possibility of returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, after last appearing on screen five years ago.
Alfred Molina famously played Doctor Octopus in Spider-Man 2 and returned to the role in 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home. With a new Spider-Man movie coming out this summer, Molina recently told Variety that he’s unsure what Marvel has planned, but he’d happily reprise the character if asked. He stated, “I would do it again, no doubt.”
Despite this, he doesn’t believe it will actually occur. Molina feels Doc Ock should remain a memorable and significant villain in the collection of antagonists.
I’m not sure what the future holds for Doc Ock, and I’m happy to leave his story where it is for now. However, if the opportunity came up to revisit the character, I would definitely be interested. I just don’t expect it to happen.
Reflecting on how he first joined the superhero series, Ian McKellen had an initial contract for three films. He clarified, “The agreement stated they could ask me to return if they decided to extend the contract.”
After filming Doc Ock’s death scene in Spider-Man 2, the actor told the producers it seemed like his contract was over. But Marvel’s Avi Arad reassured him, saying that no one truly stays dead in their universe.
Molina never expected it would take 17 years to return as the famous villain in Spider-Man: No Way Home. This third film starring Tom Holland features Doctor Strange trying to help Peter Parker with a spell, but things go wrong.
Peter encounters villains and Spider-Men from different Spider-Man universes. This includes Norman Osborn/Green Goblin, Otto Octavius/Doctor Octopus, Flint Marko/Sandman, Dr. Curt Connors/Lizard, and Max Dillon/Electro, plus the Peter Parker/Spider-Man versions played by Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield.
When asked to reprise his role in Spider-Man: No Way Home, Molina expressed concern about his appearance, telling producer Amy Pascal he was showing his age with wrinkles and a double chin. Director Jon Watts reassured him, saying they could use visual effects to address any concerns.
Molina signed on for the third Spider-Man movie, which went on to become the most successful Spider-Man film and one of the highest-grossing movies of all time, bringing in $1.92 billion worldwide.
When I worked on Spider-Man 2 with Sam Raimi in 2004, my contract included an option for three movies. It meant they could bring me back for sequels if they wanted. After filming the scene where Doctor Octavius dies, I jokingly told the producers that my contract was over. But Avi Arad, who was in charge of Marvel then, reminded me that no one really stays dead in that universe. I figured that was that, but I never expected it would take 17 years before I reprised the role. When they asked me to return, I told Amy Pascal I was showing my age – wrinkles and a double chin! But the director, Jon Watts, assured me they could use technology to address that. I decided to do it, and making No Way Home was a lot of fun.
Alfred Molina is well-known for playing Doc Ock in the 2004 film Spider-Man 2. Since then, he’s appeared in many popular movies, including The Da Vinci Code, Monsters University, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, Ralph Breaks the Internet, and Frozen 2. He’s also been on TV shows like Law & Order: LA, DreamWorks Dragons, and Feud: Bette and Joan, for which he received Emmy and Golden Globe nominations.
He later returned to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Doc Ock in the 2021 film Spider-Man: No Way Home. Since then, over the past five years, he’s also appeared in DC League of Super-Pets, Remarkably Bright Creatures, the series Three Pines, and Star Wars: Skeleton Crew.
Though Molina doesn’t expect to reprise his role as the tentacled Spider-Man villain again, he’d jump at the chance if it came up. Right now, he’s appearing in the new Netflix series, The Boroughs, created by the Duffer Brothers.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day will be released in theaters on Friday, July 31, 2026.
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2026-05-25 18:39