Alfred Molina to reprise his role of Dr Octopus in Tom Holland's Spider-Man 3

Veteran actor Alfred Molina's Doctor Octopus is set to make a comeback in Tom Holland's Spider-Man 3. 

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Molina has joined the cast as Otto Octavius, who was last seen squaring up against Tobey Maguire's friendly neighbourhood superhero in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man 2 (2004).

The actor was first rumoured to be part of the upcoming Marvel-Sony film late last month, when GWW reported the actor had been spotted on set. However, neither Marvel or Sony offered any comment on Molina's casting. 

Apart from Molina, Jamie Foxx is also coming as Electro after playing the role in 2014's The Amazing Spider-Man 2, which starred Andrew Garfield as the web-slinger. In October, Foxx hinted in a since-deleted Instagram post that three different Spider-Men could appear in the movie. 

Spider-Man 3 will see Holland return in the lead along with director Jon Watts, who helmed Spider-Man: Homecoming and Spider-Man: Far From Home. Sony Pictures is slated to release the film on December 17, 2021.

Meanwhile, Benedict Cumberbatch is also expected to reprise his Doctor Strange role in the third film that will also see the return of franchise stars Zendaya, Marisa Tomei, Jacob Batalon and Tony Revolori.