Ant-Man And The Wasp Under The Microscope

Written by Sarah Minazzo

With Ant-Man And The Wasp opening in Australian cinemas this Wednesday, let’s take a look at the film under the microscope and speculate on what adventures our insect-like heroes are about to embark on and how it all fits into the MCU puzzle.

MCU Timeline

According to a recent TV spot and a ComicBook.Com interview with Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige, this entry will be two years after Captain America: Civil War, placing it right beside Avengers: Infinity War in the MCU timeline. So there is a good likelihood that Infinity War events will play a part in the film, albeit not necessarily in the film’s main story arc, but certainly referred to. Perhaps we’ll get another reference to future entry Captain Marvel, too.

The Quantum Realm

Previously featured in Ant-Man, the Quantum Realm – where the original Wasp, Janet van Dyne, supposedly met her end – is a given for featuring in this sequel. Considering it was possible for Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) to escape in Ant-Man and return to the normal dimension, van Dyne’s survival has now become probable, especially since Michelle Pfeiffer has been cast for the role.

The Quantum Realm has also led many to speculate that it may hold the key to time travel without the Time Stone, using quantum mechanics and physics. So, don’t be surprised if it features in future MCU events post-Infinity War. After all, the dimension also cameoed in Doctor Strange.

The Wasp

We finally get to see Hope Pym (Evangeline Lilly) in action as the Wasp, paying off the promising post-credits scene in the first film! Hope proved that she was every bit capable of the mantle. Given Scott’s house arrest for his actions in Civil War, it may be Hope who kicks the second flick off, searching for her mother and breaking Scott out of house arrest.

Feige also revealed that Evangeline Lilly has filmed additional Wasp scenes for future films, making her role bigger than before in the MCU. Rightly so, as the original comic book Wasp was part of the original Avengers team and even came up with the team’s name.

Ghost

Toted as the film’s villain, Ghost, portrayed by Hannah John-Kamen, has already undergone a few changes from the original comic book character. In trailers for Ant-Man And The Wasp, Ghost is a female and takes her mask off. The original character was male and had a completely mysterious identity that was never revealed. The original character’s first appearance was in the Iron Man comics and had an anti-hero side, being a member of the Thunderbolts. It will be curious if Ghost’s existence leads into a future Thunderbolts movie.

Cassie Lang

Scott’s daughter, Cassie Lang (Abby Ryder Fortson), is also making a return to the big screen. What is making speculation specifically in her direction, is the reports of an older Cassie Lang recast for Avengers 4 and her becoming the superhero Stature. Will we see the early development of a new MCU hero in the making here? It’s almost becoming a MCU tradition for parents to inspire their children into heroism.

Whatever happens in Ant-Man And The Wasp, it will certainly serve up well into the build-up as we await Captain Marvel and Avengers 4.

Ant-Man And The Wasp is in cinemas from July 5 across Australia.