Marvel's plans for MODOK in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania mean that Hank Pym's best possible future in the MCU can finally become a reality. In Marvel Comics, Pym has a reputation not only as the original Ant-Man, but as one of the most important characters in Avengers comics. In addition to being a founding member of Earth's Mightiest Heroes, Hank operated under multiple superhero identities while also playing key roles in a long list of Avengers stories and Marvel Comics crossovers.
Like his comic book counterpart, the MCU's interpretation of Hank Pym has a history as a superhero. The difference, though, is that the movie version was only a hero in the MCU's past. His Ant-Man days ended long before his onscreen story actually began, meaning that he never became an Avenger. In taking this route, Marvel relegated Pym to the role of mentor and seemingly took any superhero adventures off the table. However, a chance still exists for Hank to suit up in the MCU. In Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Marvel is poised to reveal that Corey Stoll's Darren Cross became the MCU's MODOK. Here's how that development sets the stage for Pym to finally become Yellowjacket.
Yellowjacket Is Hank Pym's Most Important Superhero Alter Ego
The MCU's Yellowjacket may be Darren Cross, but the codename will always be rooted in Hank Pym's legacy in Marvel Comics. In fact, it's arguably more integral to who Hank is as a character than any of his other superhero identities. Over the years, Hank has been Ant-Man, Giant-Man, Goliath, Yellowjacket, and even the Wasp, but his Yellowjacket phase stands out above all the rest - even Ant-Man. It's true that he'll always be ed as the first Ant-Man, but it shouldn't be forgotten that this period of his superhero career was extremely short-lived. Hank was only Ant-Man for one full year before giving up the mantle and becoming Giant-Man.
The Yellowjacket era, on the other hand, s for the biggest portion of his life. He developed the Yellowjacket suit in 1968 and didn't abandon it until his temporary retirement in 1983. Plus, Hank was Yellowjacket during several of the character's most memorable arc in the comics, including his highly controversial domestic abuse story and the time he defeated the Masters of Evil. Since then, Hank has found himself back in the Yellowjacket suit for additional periods of time, which further reinforces the idea that if there's any one superhero alter ego that defines Hank Pym, it's Yellowjacket.
Meeting MODOK Can Lead To Hank Pym Becoming Yellowjacket
After deciding to give the Yellowjacket costume and codename to Darren Cross in Ant-Man, Marvel seemingly ed up a second chance to make him Yellowjacket in Ant-Man and the Wasp, as evidenced by concept art depicting him in the suit. A third opportunity will come in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, thanks to the live-action debut of MODOK. Corey Stoll's face on MODOK's giant head proves that after going subatomic in Ant-Man's ending, Cross wound up in the Quantum Realm, only to be transformed into MODOK. Regardless of why it happened, the characters' impending meeting with MODOK means the movie can show what happened to the suit.
If the Yellowjacket costume survived Cross' arrival in the Quantum Realm, it might have been salvaged before he underwent the process that turned him into MODOK. If that's true, he or the person responsible for his current state may know exactly where it is now. If the main characters can find and repair it, Hank may finally don the Yellowjacket suit and use it to help Ant-Man, the Wasp, and Cassie fight Kang the Conqueror. Since the characters look to be trapped in the Quantum Realm with a top-tier Avengers villain for the majority of the film, Ant-Man may need all the superhero help he can get.
Can Hank Pym Be Yellowjacket After Ant-Man 3?
If Hank does become Yellowjacket in Ant-Man 3, it's entirely possible that'll be a one-time event designed to help deliver an exciting climax to the final battle with Kang. Alternatively, it could remain relevant to the MCU's future, provided, of course, that Hank survives whatever transpires in the Quantum Realm. With Marvel revisiting Kang in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, some of Quantumania's characters - Hank included - may be on hand for the battle, particularly since they'd have experience fighting him. If that happens, Hank can the fight against Kang as Yellowjacket. By turning him into Yellowjacket in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and making him an Avenger in The Kang Dynasty, Marvel can complete his transformation into the comic book hero.
