This villain’s return may have just confirmed that ‘Spider-Man 3’ crossover

Another familiar face from Peter Parker‘s past is officially making a return in Marvel‘s Spider-Man 3.

The character joins Jamie Foxx‘s Electro and Benedict Cumberbatch‘s Doctor Strange who are also starring in the upcoming Marvel Studios picture.

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It looks like Marvel is having a few problems keeping Spider-Man 3 casting news a secret. Earlier this year, we learned that Jamie Foxx’s Electro is back for the new film. The villain originally appeared in Marc Webb‘s 2014 The Amazing Spider-Man 2 alongside Andrew Garfield.

As well, Benedict Cumberbatch is officially reprising his Doctor Strange role for Spider-Man 3. Doctor Strange is set to become Peter Parker‘s new mentor following the tragic death of Tony Stark in Avengers: Endgame.

For months now, rumors have been swirling that even more familiar faces from Peter Parker’s past are making a return in the new film. There have been numerous unverified reports that both Garfield and Tobey Maguire are reprising their Peter Parker roles for Spider-Man 3.

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Back in October, Sony first addressed these casting rumors. In a brief statement to ET Canada, the company said that these castings “are not confirmed.” However, this could still mean that the actors are in talks to return for the film.

Then, last week, Sony found themselves in some hot water when a teaser seemingly confirming the three Peter Parker theory was shared online. However, the marketing video was swiftly taken down by Sony shortly after it was posted.

The video’s words translate in English to, “Who is your favorite Spider-Man? You don’t have to choose — in the Marvel Multiverse, anything can happen.”

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Now, it looks like this new Spider-Man 3 casting may have further confirmed that a crossover is actually happening. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Alfred Molina is reprising his role as Doctor Octopus in the upcoming Marvel film. Molina originally starred as the villainous character in Sam Raimi‘s 2004 Spider-Man 2 with Tobey Maguire.

Since Molina terrorized Maguire’s Peter Parker and Foxx’s battled Garfield’s Peter Parker, this latest casting further ties together the theory that all three Spider-Man generations will appear in the upcoming film.

As well, according to Collider, Emma Stone and Kirsten Dunst are also reportedly coming back for Spider-Man 3. However, Sony has yet to confirm if Stone, Dunst, Garfield and Maguire are making a return.

Naturally, the internet is convinced Tom Holland, Garfield and Maguire will appear on-screen together in Spider-Man 3. Shortly after news broke about Molina’s casting, “Spider-Man 3,” “Spider-Verse” and “Tobey and Andrew” began trending on Twitter.

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More on Spider-Man 3:

So far, the cast of Spider-Man 3 has revealed very little about the new film. Back in October, Holland shared that he has read what happens in the new Spider-Man film, but fans shouldn’t expect any spoilers from him anytime soon. Shortly after this, Jacob Batalon teased that there’s a surprising moment in the film not even the actors were expecting.

Spider-Man 3 is set to arrive on Dec. 17, 2021. However, according to ScreenRant, the first look at the new film may be arriving sooner than you think. Last month, ExpoCine held its annual Latin America-based event virtually. Warner Bros., Disney, Universal, Netflix and Sony all appeared at the convention.

At the event, Camila Pacheco, who is the Executive Marketing Director of Sony Pictures Entertainment in Brazil, revealed that the film has already started production. Additionally, fans can expect a first look to arrive sometime this month, a full year before the film is scheduled to premiere.

Do you think Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire will appear in Spider-Man 3? What other villains do you want to see make a return? Let us know in the comments below.