Doc Ock in ‘Spider-Man 3’ Is A Huge Mistake

“Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.”

With the announcement of Alfred Molina’s Doc Ock making an appearance in Spider-Man 3, it has only made me more worried about Tom Hollands 3rd outing in this franchise.

After Far From Home, I decided to disconnect myself from the MCU version of this character. After my disappointment of the first 2 solo installments I realized this version just wasn’t for me. But with the new rumors of Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield possibly returning for a live action Spider-Verse, it got me interested again.

But as I feared, just as I started graining some interested again, they give me another reason that waivers my confidence in their handling of this universe.

Alfred Molina first appeared as Dr. Otto Octavius aka Doc Ock in Spider-Man 2. Raimi’s 2004 sequel is widely seen as one of the best Spider-Man movies, if not THE BEST Spider-Man movie. It’s a pillar amongst the comic book movie genre. And a big part of that was the depiction of the 8-limbed baddie, Doctor Octopus.

THE BRILLIANCE OF OTTO OCTAVIOUS

A hero is only as good as is villain. And such is the case with Doc Ock in Spider-Man 2. Though the film primarily focus’ on Peters inner struggles and turmoil, the film also casts a light on it’s villain.

With dreams of impacting the world through his genius, Otto Octavius ventures out to create a source of renewable energy for the masses. A righteous cause. But as he once said,

“Intelligence is not a privilege’s, it’s a gift. And you use it for the good of mankind.”

Somewhere along the way he lost sight of that. Having everything he could possibly want. A thriving career, a loving wife, and a great mind, Otto represented everything a man could want. Especially a man like Peter. But what Otto had in scientific genius, he lacked in moral fortitude. And when tragedy struck, this was revealed to him.

With the corruptive nature of evil sentient tentacles on his back, Otto fell deeper into his sins of pride and vanity, lusting for self serving accomplishment.

Peter did the same. Trying to live life the way the way that served him best, he soon found out the consequences of not holding true to the lessons his uncle taught him all those years back.

Luckily, through the grace of his aunt, Peter found his way again. As May told him,

“Sometimes we have to be steady, and give up the things we want the most… Even our dreams.”

This the line that saved Otto. Being consumed by his inner demons, it took an empathetic man like Peter Parker to show Otto his true self. Because standing before him in that moment was a man no better or worse than himself. Standing before him was merely a reflection of a man who chose to give up the things he wanted the most. Even his dreams.

And so, that’s what Otto Octavius did. Proclaiming,

“I will not die a monster.”

Otto sunk the corruptive power that was born out of his hands along with his hopes and dreams. And chose to be a hero.

THE LAZINESS OF DISNEY

Now, after all of that, does that really sound like a character you wanna touch? I understand the temptation. It would no doubt be a blast to see Molina dawn the tentacles again. But with such a beautiful redemption arc as impactful of his, would you really want to tarnish that?

I’d much rather have Molina either play a new version of the character or cast someone entirely different, like Mark Hamill. If Maguire is already returning, I think ‘Holy Trilogy’ fans will be fully satisfied with that. There’s no need to potentially ruin one of the great villain arcs in all of comic book film. There’s no doubt seeing these characters again is gonna be a amazing. But I just want them to do it right. The Raimi Spider-Man trilogy was a gift, and we should use it for the good of mankind…..