One of the most thrilling things about the Marvel Cinematic Universe is witnessing how each of these powerful characters has evolved over time. One of the more unique and inspiring character arcs is that of Scott Lang, who was a petty thief before he was given the chance to become Ant-Man. We cannot wait to see what “sizable” encounters are in store for his new upcoming movie, ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA.
With a title as striking and bizarre as that, it is at least clear that Lang and Hope “The Wasp” Van Dyne, are in for an adventure unlike anything they have experienced before – let alone anything in the MCU so far, perhaps. The following is our own quick, convenient guide to some of the things we know about ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA.
Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania Opens In February 2023
We first met Scott Lang and Hope Van Dyne in 2015’s ANT-MAN and saw them officially join forces – both romantically and heroically – three summers later in ANT-MAN AND THE WASP, which ended with them being split up, courtesy of Thanos’ snap and Scott’s extended tour of the Quantum Realm. Following their reunion at the stunning climax of AVENGERS: ENDGAME, the love bugs will be back when ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA – which Paul Rudd described as “bananas” at D23 – opens at AMC Theatres Friday, February 17, 2023.
An exclusive trailer first shown at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2022 revealed that the plot for the first film of the MCU’s Phase 5 – and 31st feature-length installment overall – involves Scott, Hope, and other characters getting sucked into the Quantum Realm. In this dangerous other dimension, which was introduced in the first ANT-MAN movie and more heavily explored in the sequel, they will encounter new, never-before-seen worlds, bizarre creatures and a new enemy, too. Check out the visually stunning trailer yourself below:
Paul Rudd And Evangeline Lilly Return
Leading the ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA cast as the titular superhero couple are Paul Rudd as Scott Lang and Evangeline Lilly as Hope Van Dyne. Fellow returning ANT-MAN movie veterans include Academy AwardⓇ winner Michael Douglas as Dr. Hank Pym, Academy Award nominee Michelle Pfieffer as her mother Janet Van Dyne and Randall Park as Agent Jimmy Woo. Other fan-favorite characters like Michael Peña’s Luis, David Dastmalchian’s Kurt, Bobby Cannavale’s Paxton and Judy Greer’s Maggie have not yet been confirmed to appear in the official cast.
However, there are some very exciting new additions to the ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA cast, such as Kathryn Newton filling in as Scott’s teenage daughter, Cassie Lang. At the SDCC panel, Newton didn't give much away about her character, but she did offer a bit of insight about Cassie:
"I think Cassie is just becoming who she is supposed to be, like we all are, we're just figuring it out. So you get to see that and I don't want to say anything..."
Going off artwork illustrator Andy Park shared on Twitter and shots of the teen from the trailer, it looks like Cassie will be debuting her crime fighting alter ego from the comics, Stinger.
Also, Nick Fury himself, Samuel L. Jackson, will show up for what will be his first ANT-MAN movie, as the MCU vet revealed on MTV’s Happy, Sad, Confused podcast. Also, according to his claims to the German newspaper FAZ (via The Wrap), Bill Murray will also appear in what will be his first MCU movie. Murray's involvement in the movie was later confirmed at SDCC, though the identity of his character was not revealed.
Kang The Conqueror Is The Villain
There is one more new ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA cast member we have to mention and saved for his own section, since he’s a big villain within this particular story. Jonathan Majors stars as Kang the Conqueror – one of Marvel Comics’ most notorious rogues. The “very, very bad” character – to quote Paul Rudd’s words at D23 – is noted for his ability to travel through time and to different realities within the Multiverse, which he mostly uses for tyrannical means.
Technically, MCU fans have already met Kang, or, more accurately, another “variant” of him known as “He Who Remains” – the creator of the Time Variance Authority whom Majors appeared as in the Season 1 finale of the Disney+ series “Loki.” ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA will mark Kang’s official big screen debut as well as the official superhero movie debut of the Emmy Award-nominated star of HBO’s “Lovecraft Country.” This won’t be the last time we see Majors’ villain moving forward considering how Kevin Feige confirmed that this film will help set up the events of AVENGERS: THE KANG DYNASTY, which was announced as one of the Phase 6 anchors and given a May 2, 2025, release date at SDCC.
Kang The Conqueror won’t be the only villain to show up in ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA as M.O.D.O.K was also shown during the movie’s Comic-Con exclusive trailer.
Peyton Reed Directs
At the helm of the first ANT-MAN was Peyton Reed, who did an impressive job with the sci-fi/action/heist thriller/comedy blockbuster and then returned as the director for the sequel. The filmmaker will once again direct Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly and co. in ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA, which Reed confirmed was done shooting via Twitter in November 2021.
Reed made his feature-length directorial debut with the quintessential competitive cheerleading classic BRING IT ON in 2000 before going on to helm more hit comedies like 2003’s DOWN WITH LOVE, 2006’s THE BREAK-UP with Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn and YES MAN starring Jim Carrey in 2008. He has also directed episodes of TV sitcoms like “New Girl,” as well as two episodes of Disney+’s smash hit STAR WARS spin-off, “The Mandalorian.”
A Rick And Morty Vet Writes
The talent behind the scripts for the ANT-MAN movies has also been exceptional so far, with Edgar Wright, Joe Cornish, Academy AwardⓇ winner Adam McKay and even star Paul Rudd receiving credit for penning the first film. Rudd also helped write ANT-MAN AND THE WASP with SPIDER-MAN’s “Home Trilogy” co-writers Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers as well as Andrew Barrer and Gabriel Ferrari.
Credited for writing ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA is Jeff Loveness, who has written material for OscarsⓇ ceremonies, worked on the first season of TBS’ “Miracle Workers” and was part of “Jimmy Kimmel Live’s'' staff for five years. However, he is best known for his Emmy-winning work as a writer for “Rick and Morty,” which is famous for the exact kind of mind-bending thrills, clever humor and heart we hope for in an ANT-MAN movie.
With a script from a “Rick and Morty” veteran, a cast of returning favorites and exciting newcomers and a director who knows this “realm” like the back of his hand by now, ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA is looking to be quite a treat. Witness the MCU’s smallest heroes get bigger than ever when it hits AMC Theatres in February.
ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA
