Ant-Man is one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most comedic and heartfelt characters. Scott Lang’s (Paul Rudd) motivation has always been serving the best interests of his family. Initially just his ex-wife and daughter, he now has the entire Pym/Van Dyne family as a priority. All of these motivations for Scott will play an essential role in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Pitting these characters against Kang The Conqueror (Jonathan Majors) promises a challenge, unlike anything they have faced. A challenge of this magnitude could lead to 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 set after an Avengers movie, he wants this to feel like an Avengers movie. The first trailer confirmed this notion by creating a very serious tone compared to the first two Ant-Man films. It hinted at the film having a very heavy emotional weight unlike what has come before. Instead of a simple adventure, this emotional weight could have serious significance to the MCU’s future. What could make Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania significant resides in two factors.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
Quantumania Will be Cassie Lang’s Origin Story
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Cassie Lang has had an extensive comic history, including joining a superhero team of her own. Audiences won’t see that team in Quantumania but will meet a new version of Cassie Lang.
The first trailer promises a version of the character unfamiliar to audiences. Moments in the trailer show Lang as the hero Stature/Stinger. Actor Kathryn Newton has been vocal in discussing Cassie’s role in the third Ant-Man film. Newton said, as recorded by ScreenRant, “I’m really not perfect and I’m super impatient and I wanna be a hero but I have no idea what I’m doing and I think Cassie Lang is like that.” Those sorts of imperfect characters can make great leaders in the MCU. Pitting the Lang/Van Dyne family against Kang The Conqueror promises a lot of growth for her.
Becoming a hero herself will come with its own set of challenges for Cassie. Viewers will not know her journey’s trajectory until February. Thankfully, there are some interesting theories about her role in the film. One theory brings up the unique idea of Cassie possibly working with Kang in some way. The trailer’s beginning indicates that she has built a device to communicate with the Quantum Realm. Could Cassie’s invention attract Kang’s attention in the realm?
If Cassie is the first MCU character to interact with Kang, it could have serious repercussions. The trailer shows the entire Lang/Pym family getting sucked into the Quantum Realm. Leaving their fates ambiguous sets a serious tone unlike what the franchise is used to. Going up against a threat like Kang promises a menace unfamiliar with anything these characters have faced before. Such a serious threat has made fans wonder if this team of heroes will make it out alive.
Not Everyone Will Make It Out of The Quantum Realm
Speculation has been circling that Scott Lang will die at the hands of Kang The Conqueror. This theory is understandable since it could be a driving motivation for future characters and films. It is certainly a valid theory, but Scott is not the only character audiences should be concerned about. There are two characters who could have a demise that helps the universe grow. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) and Janet Van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer) should be the first to fall from Kang The Conqueror’s wrath.
A familiar trope in superhero films is the “heroic sacrifice” to save the world. Making Scott Lang deliver that “heroic sacrifice” is too obvious. The Ant-Man franchise has made both Douglas and Pfieffer the hero’s mentors. Both Scott and Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) are who they are today because of Hank’s decisions. Our heroes could come to the realization that death is the only option to potentially save the world. Hank has already lost his wife once, so along with Janet, they could sacrifice themselves to save the world together. It would be a melancholic and emotionally moving way to start Marvel’s Phase 5.
Reed has repeatedly mentioned this film having a similar scope to Avengers: Endgame. To establish Kang as a menace for the future, he has to pack a heavy punch in this film. What is a better way to do that than killing those who gave Scott and Hope a chance to be heroes? It would help to establish just how serious a threat Kang could be and why a new team needs to form. Killing Hank and Janet could be the motivation for the MCU’s future Secret Wars stories. This could also be the motivation for Scott and Hope to show Cassie the ways of a true hero.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania has limitless potential for the next wave of Marvel films. If one of the theories above is used, it could be how actors like Rudd and Lilly stay in the universe. While not being heroes in action, the deaths of Janet and Hank could be the motivation to train future Avengers teams. This would be one of the most organic and effective ways to push the MCU forward. Pushing the universe forward in this way would also eliminate the removal of a fan-favorite actor, Paul Rudd.
