Exclusive: Jeff Loveness isn’t the first writer attached to ‘Ant-Man 3.’

Sources say star Paul Rudd wrote a draft of the script that featured M.O.D.OK. and his organization AIM as the primary antagonists.

Rudd previously pulled double duty with the first two ‘Ant-Man’ films, having a screenplay credit on the first and a writing credit on the second as well as starring in both as the titular character.

M.O.D.O.K. (Mental Organism Designed Only For Killing) was an employee for AIM with genius level intellect who underwent an experiment that caused him to have a freakishly large head, so large he needed a floating chair to be mobile. After undergoing this experiment, MODOK rebelled against AIM and took over the organization.

AIM was previously featured in ‘Iron Man 3’ and will appear in the upcoming ‘Black Widow’ movie. A while back, I revealed a casting call for a “mysterious benefactor,” and while at the time I believed it to be for Norman Osborn, I’ve now heard that it’s possibly for M.O.D.O.K.

Sonny Burch, who was a secondary antagonist in ‘Ant-Man and The Wasp’ was working for this mysterious benefactor, which gives credence to the character being MODOK and acting as the primary antagonist in ‘Ant-Man 3.’ Not only that, but, in the comics, M.O.D.O.K. is responsible for the creation of Red Hulk (who I previously revealed would be popping up in ‘She-Hulk’ on Disney+), and with both AIM and William “Thunderbolt” Ross (who becomes Red Hulk) appearing in ‘Black Widow,’ it wouldn’t come as a shock to see M.O.D.O.K. pulling the strings there either.

Now, onto the latter part of the headline: it seems the Young Avengers are not as far off as they seem.

Originally, Marvel wanted to put the Fantastic 4 in ‘Ant-Man 3,’ but now they have pivoted away from that and want to feature some incarnation of the Young Avengers in the film. I’m not sure which members would be there if they are in fact put into the script, but Ant-Man’s daughter, Cassie Lang, is a guarantee, with Kate Bishop (Hawkeye) and Wiccan & Speed (Scarlet Witch and Vision’s children) likely as well.

Due to a new writer coming onboard and the likely delay of the film to 2023 because of release dates being shifted around (thanks, coronavirus), nothing is currently set in stone.

Peyton Reed will return to the director’s chair, Jeff Loveness is penning the script, and Paul Rudd and Michael Douglas are confirmed to reprise their roles from ‘Ant-Man & The Wasp.’ Evangeline Lilly and Michelle Pfeiffer are likely to return as well. No release date has been set.