Ant-Man made his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut in 2015, introducing the world to the notion of a hero who can shrink down to the size of an ant while retaining his full human strength. Marvel fans quickly fell in love with the witty hero, played by Paul Rudd, and now he’s set to appear in his third film in 2023 with the release of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.
The original film, directed by Peyton Reed, introduced Scott Lang (Rudd) as a small-time thief who takes on the mantle of Ant-Man when he is recruited by Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) to help stop the villainous Yellowjacket (Corey Stoll) from weaponizing Pym’s technology. Along the way, Lang forms a bond with Pym’s daughter, Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly), who eventually becomes his partner, the Wasp.
Ant-Man and the Wasp, released in 2018, saw the duo team up once again to embark on a dangerous mission to rescue Janet van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer), who had been stuck in the quantum realm for decades. The film was also notable for featuring Marvel’s first female superhero in the title of a film.
There are still many unanswered questions about what the future holds for Ant-Man and the Wasp. In Quantumania, we know that Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors) will be the main villain and will also be introduced into the MCU. There are also rumors that the film may touch on the multiverse, which has been a big topic in Marvel’s most recent Phase 4 projects.
Beyond that, fans can only speculate on what’s next for Ant-Man and his crew. Will they continue to play a supporting role in other MCU films, or will they get their own standalone projects? Will we see a new character take on the Ant-Man mantle, as has happened in the comics?
Regardless of what’s in store for the pint-sized hero, there’s no doubt that Ant-Man has become a valuable part of the Marvel roster. He brings a lighthearted, comedic element to the films, while also contributing to the overarching narrative with his skillset and relationships with other characters.
Ant-Man may be small in stature, but he’s proved to be a big hit with fans. His inclusion in the MCU has been a welcome breath of fresh air, and we’re excited to see what’s next for this beloved hero.