They did in fact try to play MODOK off as pure comic relief in the film, dramatically altering his origin story so he’s a Kang-rescued version of Yellowjacket from the first Ant-Man film ...

The Ant-Man 3 writer also added, “Kang is a top-tier, A-list Avengers villain.” That’s where he revealed that Kang is “Thanos on an exponential level.” Kang (Jonathan Majors) in Loki finale.