With Phase 4 underway and Disney+ allowing Marvel Studios to release multiple extra projects per year, the MCU is expanding quicker than ever.
During The Infinity Saga, the gradual reveal of the infinity stones and the build-up towards Thanos was the only major plot running in the background of the franchise. But in the post-Endgame era, fans are already being teased with Valentina's mysterious team, the birth of the multiverse, and the introduction of Kang the Conqueror.
But it seems Marvel Studios isn't done on this front as Johnathon Majors' time-traveling foe isn't the only villain set to build up across multiple projects, with another major antagonist having reportedly just been cast.
Jim Carrey Rumored to Play MCU's MODOK
According to a recent post from the moderator team on the Marvel Studios Spoilers subreddit, legendary comedy actor Jim Carrey has been cast as Marvel villain MODOK for multiple upcoming MCU projects.
The leaker revealed Carrey will appear in multiple Disney+ series, potentially as early as She-Hulk. Additionally, a source stated that MODOK will appear in 2023's Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, although that particular information remains unverified.
How Could MODOK Join the MCU?
Carrey is no stranger to the comic book genre having played The Riddler in the widely panned Batman: Forever in 1995. Additionally, The Mask actor previously shared his enthusiasm to join the Marvel world several years back, so his rumored casting in a major villainous role shouldn't come as too much of a shock.
Within Marvel Comics, MODOK was an AIM scientist named George Tarleton who mutated to have a freakishly large head after undergoing experimentation to greatly increase his intelligence. Given the character's distinct appearance it would be interesting to see how that could translate to live-action.
MODOK originally made his debut in a Captain America comic and has since been a recurring villain for the star-spangled villain. One key storyline saw the big-headed scientist swapping minds with the popular Avenger to do his bidding, something Steve Rogers was eventually able to overcome.
Given his connections to the character, MODOK could serve as a fitting villain for Captain America 4, in which Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson will take up the starring role, following up on the events of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
Marvel has begun to greatly increase MODOK's presence in recent years as he recently served as the main villain of Square Enix's Avengers game and also starred in his own animated comedy, with Patton Oswalt providing the voice.
MODOK was reportedly involved in some early drafts of the upcoming Ant-Man and The Wasp sequel. Although these drafts probably predated the addition of Kang the Conqueror at which point the film gained a lot of significance towards the wider MCU.
AIM made its MCU debut in Iron Man 3 under the leadership of Aldrich Killian, serving as a front for terrorist activities as it built an army of super-powered Extremis soldiers. As of now, it's unclear if the scientific organization is still in operation or not.
If Marvel Studios is looking to spread MODOK across a multitude of Marvel projects, that would seemingly indicate they have big plans for him going forward, and casting such a legendary actor in the role only further emphasizes that.
Should MODOK make his MCU debut in She-Hulk, as the rumors suggest, fans won't have too long to wait before they see Jim Carrey in action with the legal comedy expected to hit Disney+ in early 2022.
