Considering that Edgar Wright had begun pre-production on ‘Ant-Man‘ before a Marvel Cinematic Universe ever existed, fans have probably been wondering how the film featuring Hank Pym and Scott Lang would co-exist alongside films like ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier,’ ‘Guardians of the Galaxy,’ and ‘The Avengers.’ Previously, a rumor stated that there was a connection between the upcoming Phase Two finale and a character from ‘The Incredible Hulk’. We haven’t really heard much else about how Peyton Reed’s movie connects with the MCU since then despite seeing some new stills and trailers recently. However, with everyone out and about doing press for ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron,’ Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige addressed the size-shifting superhero and his place among Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.

Based on Phase One culminating with ‘The Avengers’ in 2012, True Believers probably assume that Joss Whedon’s follow up ‘Age of Ultron’ will cap Phase Two. But this is actually not the case and Kevin Feige has a few good reasons why. In an interview with /Film, Feige shared the significance of ‘Ant-Man’ acting as the final film of Phase Two and ‘Captain America: Civil War’ kicking off Phase Three:

“It’s not [an after thought]. The truth is the phases mean a lot to me and some people but… ‘Civil War’ is the start of Phase Three. It just is. And ‘Ant-Man’ is a different kind of culmination of Phase Two because it very much is in the MCU.

You meet new characters and you learn about Hank Pym and his lineage with the MCU over the years. But at the same time, it also picks up the thread of ‘Age of Ultron’ in terms of heroes – major heroes, Avengers – coming from unexpected places. Whether it’s prison in the case of Scott Lang or being a very disgruntled Sokovian Twin as Wanda and Pietro are in ‘Age of Ultron’. And in that way it connects a lot.

Also, Hank Pym’s attitude towards Avengers, towards S.H.I.E.L.D, and kind of the cinematic universe in general, is much more informed after the events of ‘Age of Ultron’, and in a certain way, before the events of ‘Civil War’.”

Based on Feige’s comments, it’s almost even more awesome that we only have to wait a short amount of time in between ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ and ‘Ant-Man’ since we’ll get to see the connections a lot sooner. But as we await the releases of these final Phase Two films, what do you think he means? How do you think Hank Pym and his attitude plays into ‘Captain America: Civil War’? Share your thoughts and theories in the comments below.

‘Ant-Man’ starring Michael Douglas, Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, and Corey Stoll flies into theaters on July 17, 2015.