The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is simply rife with a wide array of supervillains. From entire living planets to sorcerers and artificial-intelligence entities hell-bent on Earth’s destruction, there are supervillains who serve as counterpoints to many of the superheroes fans have come to love and adore. The MCU is about to experience a flurry of new supervillains in some of its upcoming films. There are rumors of Namor appearing in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and Gorr the God Butcher is confirmed for Thor: Love and Thunder.
However, a somewhat peripheral supervillain that could appear in a later project is MODOK (Mental Organism Designed Only For Killing). MODOK was originally just a scientist named George Tarleton who worked for AIM (Advanced Idea Mechanics), a scientifically-advanced weapons-dealing organization. However, experimentation warped the man MODOK once was into a killing machine.
MODOK is a bizarre-looking villain: he is essentially a giant floating head with regular-sized limbs. However, he has a formidable power-set with genius-level intellect and psionic powers. He is also a master when it comes to formulating probabilities. So who would Marvel Studios want to cast as MODOK in an upcoming film or series of films? Given the character’s backstory and appearance, it would likely have to be an actor who can combine fearsomeness with a sense for humor and timing. Given that MODOK’s most prominent feature is his head, it would also be preferable if the actor was great at emoting with just facial expressions.
Jim Carrey
This choice would easily be a fan favorite. Jim Carrey has been cast as supervillains in superhero blockbuster films before. In the 1990s, he played the Riddler in Batman Forever, and more recently was the villainous Dr. Robotinik in Sonic the Hedgehog.
Jim Carrey’s experience playing mad scientists who turn supervillain would do him well in portraying MODOK. He is also an actor who is most famous for his comedic chops, particularly as Ace Ventura, and this would serve him well for a character who looks visually absurd. Furthermore, Jim Carrey’s experience playing in more serious roles such as in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and 23 would serve him well for his more serious moments of portraying MODOK.
Jonah Hill
Jonah Hill is another actor who is cementing his place in Hollywood as a fan favorite. He is currently being lauded for his performance as Jason Orlean in the Netflix film Don’t Look Up, which is about astronomers who go on a media frenzy to warn the world about an incoming planet-killing comet.
Jonah Hill has years of experience showing off his comedic skills and is also adept at performing in more serious moments. His facial expressions in both comedic and more serious settings are simply uncanny. This one-two-punch of acting skills would serve him well as MODOK.
Denzel Washington
Denzel Washington is the most prized actor on this list. From Malcolm X to Remember the Titans and Training Day, the man is known around the world for his superior acting credentials. Although he has never been known as a comedian, Denzel Washington has been in some lighter films as well. Marvel Studios is known for adding levity to even its most serious projects, and the legendary actor would shine here.
Denzel Washington would also likely be the most intense and intimidating actor for the role of MODOK on this list. He brings a certain intensity to the screen that can be mimicked, but never duplicated. Additionally, he would also likely cause the actors around him to ‘up their game’ simply by his mere presence and acting credentials.
Will Smith
Here is an actor that is no stranger to superhero films and blockbuster films writ large. Will Smith is most famous for his roles in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,Independence Day, and I, Robot. He has played two roles that would prepare him well for portraying MODOK. The first is the role of Deadshot, an anti-hero in DC’s Suicide Squad. This showed that he could perform as a ruthless mercenary in a darker role.
The next is that of Dr. Bennet Omalu in the 2015 film Concussion, about the role of CTE pertaining to NFL players’ suicides and violent tendencies. This role showed that Will Smith could take on a serious, scientific portrayal with aptitude and grace. Will Smith has shown he can create humorous moments as well as heartfelt ones on-screen. He would be a great choice for MODOK.
Danny DeVito
The last choice on this list is perhaps the most unconventional. Danny DeVito stands under five feet tall, but is simply a giant on the screen. From One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest to Batman Returns and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Danny DeVito boasts an eclectic big-and-small-screen resume.
His role as the supervillain the Penguin in 1992’s Batman Returns demonstrates that Danny DeVito can portray a grotesque-looking villain with charm and menace. His comedic timing and facial features can be second-to-none, as well. These factors prove why he would make a fantastic MODOK, even as the elder statesman of this list.
To pull off MODOK, Marvel Studios will have to find and then convince an actor who can be both comedic and menacing. It will be no small task, but MODOK would also be a great change of pace from the off-world invader who is hell-bent on either taking over or destroying the Earth.
