We first met Alfred Molina's Doctor Octopus in 2004's Spider-Man 2, and he remains one of the wall-crawler's best big screen foes. One interesting creative decision in the sequel saw the villain's four arms actually influence his actions, and it was later established that they had at least some control over what he did throughout the course of the movie.
Shortly before he died, Doc Ock managed to overcome his metal appendages in order to go out a hero, but there were interesting visual cues throughout Spider-Man 2 to indicate who was in charge.
When Otto Octavius was fully present, the light within the claws of each arm would glow white; however, when the A.I. started to exert its influence, they'd burn red (which was also the case when he died). Now, one fan has pointed out that in the trailer for Spider-Man: No Way Home, they're red again.
This lines up with comments Molina made about Otto's story in this movie picking up moments after his apparent death, and seemingly explains why he's returned to his evildoing ways.
We still have a lot of questions about what's brought these villains into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but it's going to be a lot of fun to see Doctor Octopus taking aim at Peter Parker again...
Click on the "Next" button below to check out our
breakdown of the Spider-Man: No Way Home trailer!
8. An Unlikely Ally
Besieged by the media, Peter Parker is going to need all the friends he can get. However, a closer look at those accompanying him to what could potentially be a courtroom scene reveals that Flash Thompson is among them!
He's never liked Peter, but is a major Spider-Man fanboy, so perhaps the wall-crawler's selflessness has helped Flash put aside his differences with his classmate. That bleached blonde hair is certainly an interesting look, though we're most intrigued to finally see these two embark on what could be the start of a beautiful friendship.
It seems the press could be against Spider-Man (which would line up with the comic books), and it's definitely interesting that MJ is reading The New York post instead of The Daily Bugle. Something tells us that doesn't exist as a newspaper in the MCU, but does in Sony's Spider-Man Universe.
7. "Devil In Disguise"
Talking of that trip to court, there's one blink-and-you'd-miss-it moment that's definitely got us thinking. Honestly, we hate to go down this route again, but it's hard to ignore the "Devil In Disguise" sign being brandished by an onlooker.
It's certainly possible they're just a big Mysterio fan; however, Mephisto played a pivotal role in hiding Spider-Man's secret identity in the source material and Marvel Comics has recently revisited that storyline in the pages of Nick Spencer's Amazing Spider-Man run. Throw in Doctor Strange's odd behaviour, and we can't help but wonder if the MCU's devil could factor into the plot.
Another compelling theory suggests that Mysterio really was tied to the Multiverse and has posed as the Sorcerer Supreme to bring his fellow villains to Peter's world. We'll see...
6. Under Arrest
Events are a little out of order in this trailer, but it looks like Peter actually heads home after J. Jonah Jameson outed his secret identity to the world. No doubt hoping people would never think a high school student could be Spider-Man, the hero is shown watching TV with his Aunt May as police sirens close and in and the cops knock at the door.
Handcuffed, Peter is being interrogated by someone who appears to be from the Department of Damage Control, though we're sure it's not just them who are looking to make the teenager pay for his role in the attack on London and Quentin Beck's death.
Oh, and yes, we're all too aware how much the guy in the white shirt and tie looks like Charlie Cox's Matt Murdock, but it's too soon to say for sure. If this is what social media's so-called scoopers have been basing their Daredevil claims on, we should brace for potential disappointment.
5. F.E.A.S.T.
Set photos have pointed to F.E.A.S.T. playing a role in the proceedings, and it looks like Spider-Man potentially spends some time hiding out at that refuge for the homeless.
Running through the building in his black and gold costume, it appears those present aren't scared of Peter and he has no issue taking off his mask in front of them (likely meaning Doctor Strange's spell completely fails). We're assuming Aunt May works here, while Happy Hogan being surrounded by armed cops (we're assuming they're not villains) is also an interesting moment.
We don't know if this is going to lead to the introduction of Mister Negative, but it would be a missed opportunity to not at least tease that villain in some way during Spider-Man: No Way Home!
4. A Familiar Spell And The Multiverse Of Madness
"One More Day" and "One Moment In Time" aren't the most well-regarded moments in Spider-Man's history, but the inspiration they have on Spider-Man: No Way Home is clear to see.
Just like in the comic books, Peter Parker asks Doctor Strange to cast a spell that will make the world forget his identity as Spider-Man. However, the wall-crawler on the page had a similar moment of doubt and pulled Mary Jane into the spell the Sorcerer Supreme was casting because he couldn't live without her remembering their true life together.
The MCU's Peter has similar doubts, but something happens that appears to tap into the Multiverse. Strange warns that "the Multiverse is a concept about which we know frighteningly little," and it seems Spider-Man's uncertainty could have far-reaching ramifications...
3. About That Train...
There's a lot we need to talk about at this point in the trailer. It looks like Spider-Man and Doctor Strange actually end up fighting, with the Sorcerer Supreme pursuing Peter through New York City.
We've read a lot of conflicting rumours, including the movie's villains - we'll get to them, don't worry - being trapped inside a prison of Strange's making after they escape their respective Earths. Does Peter foolishly decide to free them after they claim to have escaped death at the hands of their own Spider-Man? That would certainly strike a chord with Pete after what happened to Mysterio.
That apparent MacGuffin Strange is taking from Spidey when he casts his Astral form from his body is interesting, as is the fight atop a train...could that be a nod to Spider-Man 2's big train battle?
2. Is That Who We Think It Is?
There are a few examples of yellow electricity in this trailer, and something tells us that belongs to Jamie Foxx's Electro. The Oscar-winner said he wouldn't be blue in Spider-Man: No Way Home, so it makes sense for Marvel Studios to adhere to the comic books for this threequel.
So, we know Electro is gunning for Spidey, but a closer look at the trailer appears to show The Lizard as well. He leaps towards the hero, but seems to be rebounded by a magical force field. The tail is clear to see, and unless this is a very animalistic Scorpion, it looks like Rhys Ifans will also be back.
Finally, it seems Sandman will also make an appearance, though we'd argue that it's just as likely that the ground is exploding in a way that makes it look like he's there. If that is Flint Marko, however, it seems he's protecting the black and gold-clad hero, which could be a sign that he remains a conflicted "villain" even in the MCU.
1. They're Baaaaack...
Two villains we can definitively say are making their return here are Willem Dafoe's Green Goblin and Alfred Molina's Doctor Octopus. The latter makes a physical appearance at the end of the trailer for the big money shot, and a killer bit of line delivery when he says, "Hello, Peter." As for Norman Osborn, that laugh is definitely Dafoe's, and there's no mistaking his Pumpkin Bomb.
Visual effects have been used to make Molina look younger, but is this the same Doc Ock from Spider-Man 2? That we're not so sure about, and with leaked images confirming both Norman and Max Dillon get new looks, we're pretty confident we could be witnessing some sort of "Variant" situation here.
Despite that, who better to enlist for help than the Spider-Men who defeated their alternate reality counterparts? We know there are countless strands to the Multiverse now, and while there's a risk this could all get a bit complicated, we have faith in Marvel Studios finding a way to make it all line up perfectly.