One of the cool things about the Marvel Cinematic Universe is not just the crossover potential in and of itself, but the way it allows characters’ stories to continue in meaningful ways outside of their own films. For an example, you need look no farther than Spider-Man and Black Panther, whose narratives kicked off in ‘Captain America: Civil War‘ before continuing in their own films. Likewise, Ant-Man made his debut in the eponymous 2015 film before appearing in ‘Civil War’ and getting a passing mention in ‘Avengers: Infinity War’. And next month he’ll return in his first proper sequel.
Of course, those interim appearances mean that when we catch up with Scott Lang in ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp’ he’ll be in a somewhat different place than that in which we left him at the conclusion of ‘Ant-Man’. And make no mistake, the events of ‘Civil War’ will be a major factor in Scott’s situation in the new film, as Paul Rudd explained at a recent press event in Taipei:
“Well, the character’s story has evolved ever since ‘Civil War’. Scott went away to fight with some of the Avengers and now I’m starting this film under house arrest so I am really, whereas in the first one, I was deciding whether or not this was something even of interest to me, I don’t know if I want to be a superhero, that has enhanced even more, I’d say.”
But of course, ‘Ant-Man’ was defined not just by its superheroics but by Scott’s relationships. One of the big ones is his relationship with Hope van Dyne, the Wasp herself. But while that relationship had taken something of a turn by the end of ‘Ant-Man’, it’s not the only one that matters in Scott’s life.
“Certainly you’ll see this relationship evolve between Scott and Hope, as well as this relationship I have with my daughter. My daughter Cassie, this is really the biggest challenge. How do you somehow be the best version of yourself as a superhero while being the best version of yourself as a parent and can those two things coexist?”
Be sure to check back with ScienceFiction.com for more on ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp’ as it becomes available!
Helmed by returning director Peyton Reed, ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp’ stars Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Pena, Walton Goggins, Bobby Cannavale, Judy Greer, Michael Douglas, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Laurence Fishburne. The film is set to arrive in theaters on July 6, 2018.
