In true villain form, Alfred Molina has essentially spoiled the plot of the upcoming Spider-Man: No Way Home .

Disregarding Marvel s web of nondisclosure agreements that keep its stars sworn to secrecy, the actor confirmed that he will be reprising his role as the tentacled baddie Doctor Octopus, aka Doc Ock, in the Tom Holland-led sequel 17 years after he first played the role.

When we were shooting it, we were all under orders not to talk about it, because it was supposed to be some great big secret, Molina told Variety in an interview published Friday. But, you know, its all over the internet. I actually described myself as the worst kept secret in Hollywood!

Reports claimed last year that Molina, who first faced off against Toby Maguires web-slinger in 2004s Spider-Man 2, was set to make his return to the franchise in a super-sized, multiverse-melding crossover.

Marvel boss Kevin Feige and reigning Spider-Man Tom Holland have since kept quiet on rumors of past characters making appearances in the superhero blockbuster, which is due to hit theaters in December.

Molina, however, had no such hang-ups discussing specific plot details about how his character returns, explaining that the film will pick up from that moment at the end of Spider-Man 2 with his character drowning himself in the East River.

The actor said he was initially confused how the new sequel would reverse Doc Ocks final fate, until director Jon Watts explained that no one really dies in this iteration of the story.

It was wonderful, the actor said of reprising the role. It was very interesting going back after 17 years to play the same role, given that in the intervening years, I now have two chins, a wattle, crows feet and a slightly dodgy lower back.

To maintain some semblance of continuity, Molina explained that production will make use of the same digital de-aging effects that previously shaved years off actors Samuel L. Jackson and Robert Downey Jr. in other Marvel Cinematic Universe films.

I dont have the same physicality that I had 17 years ago, he continued. Thats just a fact.

Thankfully, the characters metal robotic arms do most of the action, which Molina said gave him some relief, as he remembered he mostly just has to keep a mean look on my face.

Fans are now convinced that Spider-Man: No Way Home will be full of meta, multiverse fun after Molina clarified hes indeed playing the same version of the character we first met in Spider-Man 2. In addition to Doc Ock, Jamie Foxxs Electro, who battled Andrew Garfield in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, is also set to return , presumably setting the stage for a big bad team-up that will keep Spidey busy.

Spider-Man: No Way Home, which also stars Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, Marisa Tomei, Tony Revolori, and Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange, is scheduled to swing into theaters Dec. 17.