Ant-Man 3's Surprise 2nd Villain Was Already Teased In Loki Season 1 (Photos)

As Corey Stoll readies his MCU return in Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania, it turns out his Ant-Man villain was teased in Loki.

By Klein Felt Updated:
Darren Cross, Ant-Man 3, Loki

As Yellowjacket actor Corey Stoll prepares himself for another MCU adventure as MODOK in Ant-Man 3, it turns out the actor's return was teased all the way back in Season 1 of Loki

Stoll's Ant-Man character (Darren Cross) has not been seen or heard from since he was perpetually shrunk down at the tail-end of Paul Rudd's super-powered debut; however, that is all about to change with Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania.

As shown off in Quantumania's latest trailer, the Ant-Man actor is finally back, this time taking on the villainous role of MODOK (Mental Organism Designed Only For Killing). Stoll previously hinted that he would be back, saying he suspiciously "couldn't answer" if he had any future MCU involvement

Now, fans will be excited to see Stoll back and MODOK's MCU debut; but for those eagle-eyed Marvel Studios devotees, his return should not be all that surprising. 

Corey Stoll's MODOK Return Teased in Loki

Corey Stoll's MCU return has been a long time coming, so much so that he was included as a subtle Easter egg in Loki

Back in Episode 5 of Loki Season 1, the helmet of Stoll's Ant-Man villain Yellowjacket appeared in the mysterious interdimensional plane, the Void. 

yellowjacket loki
Marvel Studios

The piece of his Yellowjacket costume sits planted in the hills of the Void, looking to be sized way up. 

Taking a closer look, it is unmistakable; this is the Yellowjacket helmet, sporting bright yellow eyes and a silver gas mask-esque mouth and chin piece. 

yellowjacket
Marvel Studios

Back when the Multiversal Disney+ series was airing in June 2021, it was written that Stoll would be back for Quantumania, with certain reports pointing to this giant-sized Loki Easter Egg. So it is reasonable to assume that this could have been Marvel Studios laying those first breadcrumbs for the actor's MCU comeback as MODOK.

modok
Marvel Studios

How Did Yellowjacket Pop up in Loki?

This does not explain just how Darren Cross made it from the end of Ant-Man to becoming MODOK in Quantumania or if this is even the same Variant of the character in the MCU blockbuster (something there is already precedent for in Ant-Man 3). But there is enough connective tissue here that one can start to craft some theories. 

One way that Stoll's MCU villain could have made it to where he is has to do with his final moments in Ant-Man. As Paul Rudd's Scott Lang takes down Stoll's Yellowjacket, the MCU big bad is shrunk way down, seemingly in perpetuity. 

Yellowjacket 2
Marvel Studios

As has been explained by Marvel Studios up to this point, the Quantum Realm is as small as one can go, so if Stoll's Ant-Man character had continually been shrunk down, it would make sense that he would ultimately end up in the Quantum Realm. 

Then as he was shrinking, going smaller and smaller, it's not a far logical leap to think that his helmet may have been thrown from his body, ending up in a place like the Void in Loki

It doesn't explain why he becomes the deformed and grotesque MODOK, but it could hint at how the villain ended up in Quantumania

Hopefully, all will become clear when Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania debuts in theaters on February 17. 

Release Date
February 17, 2023
Platform
Theaters
- About The Author: Klein Felt
Klein Felt is a Senior Editor at The Direct. Joining the website back in 2020, he helped jumpstart video game content on The Direct. Klein plays a vital role as a part of the site's content team, demonstrating expertise in all things PlayStation, Marvel, and the greater entertainment industry.