Ant-Man Returns Amidst Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Hype
Credit: Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania
As Marvel fans eagerly await the release of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever on November 11, the studio surprised everyone by dropping the trailer for Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania this past Monday. With the Ryan Coogler-directed sequel to Black Panther expected to rake in a massive $175 million in its opening weekend, it’s no wonder that the focus has been on the Wakandan hero.
However, the unexpected reveal of the Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania trailer has reminded us that there’s more to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) than just T’Challa and his kingdom.
Official Synopsis and Cast Details
The official synopsis for Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania reads:
In the film, which officially kicks off phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Super-Hero partners Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) and Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) return to continue their adventures as Ant-Man and the Wasp. Together, with Hope’s parents Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) and Janet Van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer), the family finds themselves exploring the Quantum Realm, interacting with strange new creatures and embarking on an adventure that will push them beyond the limits of what they thought was possible. Jonathan Majors joins the adventure as Kang. Director Peyton Reed returns to direct the film; Kevin Feige and Stephen Broussard produce.
Alongside returning stars Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly, the film features new cast members Jonathan Majors, Bill Murray, and Kathryn Newton. Notably absent from the trailer are Michael Pena and David Dastmalchian, who have played significant roles in previous Ant-Man films.
Will Michael Pena and David Dastmalchian Return?
David Dastmalchian has confirmed that he won’t be appearing in Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania, stating, “It doesn’t look like it…But that’s okay.” He went on to express his excitement for the film and his admiration for director Peyton Reed. Michael Pena, on the other hand, has been more elusive about his involvement, dodging questions in interviews. It’s possible that his character, Luis, may make a surprise cameo, but it’s clear that he won’t have a significant onscreen presence in the third installment.
Credit: Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania Release Date and Box Office Expectations
Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania is set to hit theaters on February 17, 2023. While the Ant-Man franchise hasn’t been the strongest performer in the MCU, it has still managed to pull in respectable numbers. The first Ant-Man film grossed $519.3 million, while Ant-Man and The Wasp brought in $622 million.
Compared to heavy hitters like Captain America: Civil War and Iron Man, these figures may seem modest. However, it’s worth noting that the first Captain America film made $370.6 million and Thor earned $449.3 million, so the Ant-Man franchise isn’t too far off the mark.
The key to success for Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania will be its ability to follow up on the events of Avengers: Endgame and generate positive word-of-mouth. If the film can garner high praise and repeat viewings, it should have no problem surpassing the $622 million mark. With no major competition on its release date, the film is poised for a strong opening weekend at the box office, kicking off MCU Phase 5 with a bang.
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