Ant-Man is one of the most comedic and heartfelt characters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
With ‘Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania’ starting Phase 5 the MCU will be able to influence the next phase.
Scott Lang’s (Paul Rudd) motivation has always been serving the best interests of his family. At first it was just his ex-wife and daughter but now he has the whole Pym/Van Dyne family as a priority. All of these motivations for Scott will play an important role in ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.’ Pitting this character against Kang The Conqueror (Jonathan Majors) promises to be a challenge unlike anything they’ve ever faced. A challenge of this magnitude could have serious repercussions for the future.
Director Peyton Reed has been vocal about ‘Quantumania’ being more than just a “palate cleanser.” Instead of a light adventure after the movie ‘Avengers’, he wanted ‘Quantumania’ to feel like the movie ‘Avengers’. The first trailer confirms this notion by setting a very serious tone compared to the first two ‘Ant-Man’ films, hinting that the film carries a very heavy emotional baggage unlike any of the previous films. Rather than a simple adventure, those emotional baggage could be very important for the future of the MCU. There are two contributing factors, namely:
Quantummania Will Be Cassie Lang’s Origin Story
Cassie Lang has an extensive comic history, including joining her own team of superheroes. Audiences won’t get to see the team in ‘Quantumania’ but will meet a new version of Cassie Lang.
The first trailer promises a version of the character that audiences won’t be familiar with. The moments in the trailer show Lang as a Stature/Stinger hero. Actor Kathryn Newton has been very vocal in discussing Cassie’s role in the third ‘Ant-Man’ film. Newton said, “I’m really not perfect and I’m super impatient and I want to be a hero but I don’t know what I’m doing and I think that’s what Cassie Lang is like.” Such imperfect characters could make great leaders in the MCU. Pitting the Lang/Van Dyne family against Kang The Conqueror promised him a lot of growth.
Becoming a hero will certainly come with its own challenges. There are several interesting theories about his role in the film. One theory throws up a quirky idea about Cassie possibly working with Kang in some way. The start of the trailer shows that he has built a device to communicate with the Quantum Realm.
If Cassie is the first MCU character Kang interacts with, it could have serious repercussions. The trailer shows the entire Lang/Pym family being sucked into the Quantum Realm. Such a serious threat makes fans wonder whether this team of heroes will survive or vice versa.
Not Everyone Will Make it Out of the Quantum Realm
Speculation is circulating that Scott Lang will die at the hands of Kang The Conqueror. This theory is understandable as it could serve as a driving motivation for future characters and films. It’s certainly a valid theory, but Scott isn’t the only character audiences should be paying attention to. There are two mortal characters who help the universe grow. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) and Janet Van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer) must be the first to fall from the wrath of Kang The Conqueror.
The familiar trope in superhero movies is the “heroic sacrifice” to save the world. Making Scott Lang convey “heroic sacrifice” is all too obvious. The ‘Ant-Man’ franchise has had Douglas and Pfieffer mentor heroes. Both Scott and Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) are where they are because of Hank’s decision. Heroes can realize that death is the only option to save the world. Hank had lost his wife once, so with Janet, they could sacrifice themselves to save the world together. This would be a melancholy and emotionally moving way to kick off Marvel’s Phase 5.
Reed has repeatedly said that this film has a similar scope to ‘Avengers: Endgame’. In order to establish Kang as a threat to the future, he had to land a heavy punch in this film. What better way to do that than killing those who gave Scott and Hope the chance to become heroes? This will help determine how serious Kang’s threat is and why a new team needs to be formed. Killing Hank and Janet could serve as motivation for future MCU Secret Wars stories. This could also be Scott and Hope’s motivation to show Cassie how to be a true hero.
‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’ has unlimited potential to surprise the next Marvel film. If any of the above theories are used, it could be that actors like Rudd and Lilly survive in the universe. Despite not being heroes in action, the deaths of Janet and Hank could serve as motivation to train a future Avengers team. This will be one of the most organic and effective ways to push the MCU forward. However, pushing the universe forward in this way would also eliminate fan favorite actor Paul Rudd.
