In an unexpected turn of events, Alfred Molina‘s portrayal of Doc Ock is set to make a comeback in a 2023 Marvel movie, not only featuring a Multiverse of Spider-People but also Multiversal Spider-Man villains.

Molina’s Return In Across The Spider-Verse:

The newly released trailer for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse unveils a surprising cameo appearance by Alfred Molina’s Doc Ock. At the 0:20 mark, audiences hear Molina’s unmistakable voice, echoing the famous line, “Hello, Peter,” as he did in Spider-Man: No Way Home.

Molina skillfully avoided confirming or denying his return to the Marvel role when asked about it last year. His response to Vanity Fair was cryptic, leaving fans in anticipation.

Different Doc Ock In The Trailer:

Interestingly, the trailer showcases Miles Morales encountering a different version of Doc Ock, not the Doctor Olivia “Liv” Octavius from Into the Spider-Verse. This iteration of Doc Ock aligns more closely with the original comic book design rather than Molina’s portrayal in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 2 or No Way Home.

Given that the film features numerous Spider-Men from across the Multiverse, it is logical to expect the appearance of various versions of web-slinging villains. Alfred Molina’s Doctor Octopus voiceover could be a nod to this concept, while another Doc Ock is visually presented.

Across the Spider-Verse continues the trend of referencing events from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The earlier trailers hinted at Spider-Man 2099 and alluded to Doctor Strange and Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, highlighting the connection to No Way Home.

Uncertain Future For Molina’s Doc Ock:

It remains unknown whether Across the Spider-Verse will actually showcase Alfred Molina’s Doc Ock or any other live-action Spider-Men. However, the trailer’s inclusion of the Spot interacting with the live-action world suggests that the film may not be limited to animation and teases the possibility of further surprises to come.