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No More Scott Lang? Paul Rudd Likely Never Returning to the MCU’s ‘Ant-Man’ Franchise

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Posted on by Thomas Hitchen 6 Comments
Paul Rudd as Ant-Man

Credit: Marvel Studios

“Have I killed you before?” — it’s a chilling line delivered by Jonathan Majors’ Kang the Conqueror in the (leaked) trailer for director Peyton Reed’s Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023), and sets the tone for what looks to be a very dark third installment in the Ant-Man franchise.

With a chaotic, cunning villain playing opposite Paul Rudd’s Scott Lang, fans are worried that Ant-Man won’t survive the Quantum Realm, leaving the door open for another character to take up the mantle of the size-shifting Avenger — his daughter, perhaps?

Paul Rudd as Scott Lang/Ant-Man
Credit: Marvel Studios

Related: Marvel Removes Actor From Entire MCU Trilogy

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania was originally set to end Marvel Phase Four, then it was switched with Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel sequel, The Marvels (2023), which landed it in the February 2023 slot. But, after Marvel Studios and Kevin Feige’s dynamite presentation at San Diego Comic-Con’s Hall H over the summer, it was revealed that Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022) will wrap the troubled Phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, leaving Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania opening Phase Five early next year. The Multiverse Saga will continue through 2025.

King T'Challa mural in 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever'
Credit: Marvel Studios

The Marvel movie, written by Jeff Loveness, sees the return of Paul Rudd as the titular character, joining his equally-billed counterpart, Evangeline Lilly as Hope van Dyne/Wasp. The pair will share the screen with Michael Douglas and Michelle Pfeiffer as Hank Pym and Janet van Dyne, respectively, as well as Kathryn Newton as Cassie Lang; Scott’s daughter was originally played by Emma Fuhrmann in Avengers: Endgame (2019). Bill Murray has been cast in an undisclosed role, with Majors taking on the iconic Marvel Comics-inspired role of Kang the Conqueror. MODOK will also appear.

The main cast of 'Ant-Man and the Wasp'
Credit: Marvel Studios

For a long time fans have wondered how Rudd’s Ant-Man will stand up to Majors’ Kang after his sinister first appearance — albeit as He Who Remains — in Michael Waldron and Kate Herron’s Loki, starring Tom Hiddleston as the titular God of Mischief. And it seems following the leaked viral and trending trailer that their worries could prove to be right. While the following is essentially spoiler-free, some content may contain light spoilers from the trailer.

@VaibhavStark said:

SCOTT IS NOT MAKING IT OUT ALIVE #AntManandTheWaspQuantumania #MarvelStudios

@itsjayram0 added:

They really put #antman up against Kang THE Conqueror!! Likeee this man KILLED THANOS!!! We really gonna watch 2 hours of Antman getting bodied #AntManandTheWaspQuantumania #KangTheConqueror

@guavayancy joked:

Scott dies?! Well then I’m not wasting my money seeing it (I absolutely still am) #AntManandTheWaspQuantumania

Similarly, another tweet from @CWiebrecht reads:

#Kang after killing Ant-Man, the Wasp, & Cassie in #AntManandTheWaspQuantumania

Along with the leaked trailer, there are other things that signal time being up for Paul Rudd’s Scott Lang.

Chris Hemsworth’s Thor franchise was the first MCU property to reach four installments, with Anthony Mackie’s outing as Captain America in Captain America: New World Order (2024) making the First Avenger’s franchise the second. For the most part, it feels that Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is the end of this particular story of the live-action Marvel Universe character, however, there is a possibility that Rudd and others may show up in the future Marvel Phase Six Avengers two-parter, Avengers: The Kang Dynasty (2025) and Avengers: Secret Wars (2025). Although, it’s likely Newton’s Cassie Lang will continue the Ant-Man story in the future.

jonathan majors as kang variant he who remains
Credit: Marvel Studios

Related: Replacement Revealed After ‘Ant-Man’ Actress Exits Upcoming Comic Book Movie

Cassie Lang is a major part of Marvel Comics lore and chances are that her superhero counterparts — either Stature or Stinger — may make an appearance in Reed’s third Marvel film, starting a path to bring Newton into the MCU on a larger scale.

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is currently slated to debut exclusively in movie theaters on February 17, 2023.

What do you think will happen to Scott Lang in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania? Let us know in the comments down below!

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Thomas Hitchen

When he’s not thinking about the Magic Kingdom, Thomas is usually reading a book, becoming desperately obsessed with fictional characters, or baking something delicious (his favorite is chocolate cake -- to bake and to eat). He's a dreamer and grew up on Mulan saving the world, Jim Hawkins soaring through the stars, and Padmé Amidala fighting a Nexu. At the Parks, he loves to ride Everest, stroll down Main Street with an overstuffed pin lanyard around his neck, and eat as many Mickey-shaped ice creams as possible. His favorite character is Han Solo (yes, he did shoot first), and his favorite TV show is Buffy the Vampire Slayer except when it's One Tree Hill. He loves sandy beach walks, forest hikes, and foodie days out in the Big City. Thomas lives in England, UK, with his fiancée, baby, and their dog, a Border Collie called Luna.

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