Ant-Man & The Wasp Casts Randall Park as S.H.I.E.L.D.’s Jimmy Woo

Randall Park has joined the cast of Ant-Man & The Wasp in a role that points towards S.H.I.E.L.D.’s return to the big screen. Following the success of Ant-Man, Marvel Studios changed course just a bit to fit a sequel into Phase 3. Peyton Reed was brought back to direct a sequel that will not only once again feature Paul Rudd as Scott Lang, but also see Evangeline Lilly’s Hope Van Dyne get a larger role and the chance to suit up as Wasp.

Outside of the returning cast, news on the sequel has been quiet. Hannah John-Kamen was the only other new cast member previously announced, with a few other female leads still left to be cast. However, the latest casting news brings the star of Fresh Off the Boat into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Tracking-Board is reporting that Marvel has cast Randall Park in one of the new roles for Ant-Man & The Wasp. Unlike previous castings, his role is not a secret with it being revealed that he is playing S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Jimmy Woo. Woo has been a part of Marvel Comics since the mid 1950s, and his inclusion in this film appears to confirm that S.H.I.E.L.D. will be making a triumphant return to the big screen.

While Woo is not a recognizable comic name for many, his history has had him connect with various Marvel heroes and villains throughout his time on the page. How they plan to adapt him to the big screen is unclear at the moment, but with Tracking-Board‘s report signifying he will keep his S.H.I.E.L.D. ties, this could be a rather significant inclusion when everything is said and done.

S.H.I.E.L.D. has not had a heavy role to play in any MCU movie since Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and ever since has been put in the shadows of the universe. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. has been left to deal with this transition in a multitude of ways, with the closest thing to a full S.H.I.E.L.D. revival on the big screen coming in Avengers: Age of Ultron – when Fury arrives to Sokovia with the Helicarriers.

Bringing S.H.I.E.L.D. back into the fold in some way for Ant-Man & The Wasp could be a nice surprise and one that is perfectly timed. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. will have concluded its fifth (and possibly final) season just a few weeks before this movie hits theaters, and with the team currently in space, there is no telling how S.H.I.E.L.D. will progress over the next year. However, the possibilities are fascinating thanks to Park’s casting. Considering his comedic ability, he should be a great fit for the sequel.