Either the rumors are all over and full of it, or Spider-Man 3 is putting it all on the table. Alfred Molina is the latest actor who is rumored to be reprising their role in Sony‘s Spider-Man universe. The actor would return as Otto Octavious, the villain from Tobey Maguire‘s Spider-Man 2 (different trilogy). Neither Sony nor Marvel commented on the news.

The actor had been rumored for some time and was spotted on the set but there have been some confirmations to various news organizations that he’ll play some sort of role, though it’s unknown as to what extent.

Molina joins Jamie Foxx who also will return as Electro. Foxx’s Electro terrorized Andrew Garfield‘s Spider-Man in The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Foxx, in a now deleted Instagram post, hinted that Maguire and Garfield would appear in the upcoming film.

Marvel and Sony have been leaning into the “multiverse” making this sort of thing possible. Sony’sSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse was a massive hit both in grosses and awards. In that film, multiple “Spider-Man” from around the multiverse teamed up and came together, a riff on the popular Marvel comic storyline. Marvel Studio’s next Doctor Strange film has hinted at a focus on the multiverse. It’s the next logical progression for Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and directions to take it. Benedict Cumberbatch who stars in that film will appear in Spider-Man 3 which stars Tom Holland.

Zendaya, Marisa Tomei, Jacob Batalon, and Tony Revolori will all return to the film with director Jon Watts back at the helm. Watts directed the first two Holland films. Spider-Man 3 is currently slated to be released on December 17, 2021.