In February 2021, Deadline reported Ashton signed on to star as the main villain in "Captain Marvel 2." In December, costar Brie Larson shared an Instagram with the caption "Marvel fans, start your theories" and a winking face. She's also wearing a shirt that says "Villain Lovers Club," a nod to Ashton's role in the upcoming film.
Fans were excited to see this casting, not just out of a love for Ashton and her work, but because her rumoured beau, Hiddleston, is beloved antihero Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Conveniently enough, Ashton's other costar from "Betrayal," Charlie Cox, is also in the MCU he plays Daredevil.