Spider-Man 3 (version 2)is filming now, and the multiverse cast for the movie continues to grow. Joining Jamie Foxx inreprising a villain roleis Alfred Molina, who played Doctor Octopus waaaaay back in 2004 in Sam Raimi’sSpider-Man 2(aka still the best live-action Spider-Man movie, and one of the best superhero movies of all time). This tracks with therumored castingof Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield, who will reportedly play alternate-universe Peter Parkers as MCU Peter, played by Tom Holland, skips through the multiverse. In fact, when I wrote about the past Peters returning, I asked, “Does this mean Alfred Molina will return as Doctor Octopus?” I am not a genius, it was just obvious from the moment Benedict Cumberbatch—whose next Marvel film bears the subtitle “Multiverse of Madness”—joinedSpider-Man 3 (version 2)that we were always heading in this direction.
In fact, Collider provides some new details, including that Kirsten Dunst and Emma Stone arein talks to returnas Mary Jane Watson and Gwen Stacy, respectively. Everything old really IS new again. An interesting point in Collider’s report is that Emma Stone’s pregnancy may prevent her from joining up, which, if there’s something going on there than fine, that’s her business, be well and stay safe. But if it is JUST about filming during pregnancy, who gives a sh-t? Scarlett Johansson madeAvengers 2while pregnant, and Gal Gadot did reshoots forWonder Womanwhile pregnant, the technology exists to digitally erase baby bumps. Again, if Stone herself doesn’t want to do it for some reason—any reason, financial, personal, or otherwise—then cool, but if it’s just some dudes whining that she’s visibly pregnant, get over it, it’s 2020. Use the tech.
Another fun note in the Collider piece is that Andrew Garfield is already locked in to make his return as Peter Parker 2.0, but Tobey Maguire is not. Eeeeeenteresting. What’s the hold up, Tobes? Need I remind you that you are not nearly as famous as you were 20 years ago, and your last credited acting role was in 2017, when you narratedThe Boss Baby? The chance to reprise your most beloved role from your most popular movie is a chance to refresh your career. If you’re holding up the Spider-verse for more money, no one will appreciate it, my dude. And don’t think for a second Sony-Marvel won’t hesitate to CGI your ass into the movie using your 20-year-old likeness rights and old footage from the OG Spider-Man movies. Actually, that would be pretty funny. I can see it now, Tom Holland and Andrew Garfield lined up with obviously digital Tobey Maguire in the big, inevitable scene when the Spider-men join forces. People might actually go to the theater to see that.
