Summary
The multiverse phase of theMarvel Cinematic Universemight not have been the most popular in the MCU’s run, but Marvel Studios is set to release some huge projects in the near future. WithThunderbolts*, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and twoAvengersfilms coming up, there is a lot of potential for this phase to be turned around with some iconic and memorable moments. However, this phase is expected to be drawing to an end afterAvengers: Secret Wars.
Avengers: Secret Warsis slated to be released on 7 May 2027and will wrap up this phase of the MCU’s history. It has been teased that the X-Men will appear in the MCU for the first time after that, and that should usher in a completely new phase that will likely be focused on mutants. However, with a plethora of new characters expected to be introduced in the near future, there are also some who could be disappearing.
According to Alex Perez during the latestCosmic Circus Q&A, Marvel Studios is set to say goodbye to Hank Pym and Janet van Dyne at the end of the multiverse phase. Marvel is set to move on from those characters portrayed by Michael Douglas and Michelle Pfeiffer, respectively, who have played crucial roles in the Ant-Man franchise. It will lead to plenty of questions about whether or not futureAnt-Manmovies are going to be planned, but Marvel Studios could continue that franchise without these charactersas Paul Rudd is the lead star.
There have been threeAnt-Manmovies so far in the MCU, with Pym and Van Dyne also turning up in previous Avengers films as well. At the moment, it’s unclear whether they will turn up again in this franchise. Still, they couldplay a part inAvengers: DoomsdayandAvengers: Secret Wars, given how many characters are being brought into those movies from the wider MCU. Considering the intelligence of those characters and their experience in the Quantum Realm, they could have a lot to offer in the final stages of the multiverse phase.
There is a chance that their role was reduced toward the end of the multiverse phase, as Kang was initially set to be the main villain for the upcomingAvengersmovies. However, those plans were pivoted towardRobert Downey Jr’s forthcoming returnin MCU as he will be playing Doctor Doom. However, it will likely never be revealed just how much Marvel Studios changed plans. Still, they certainly were adjusted, with those involved in the Ant-Man franchise being impacted, given the experience they had with Kang inAnt-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.
Pym and Van Dyne have been brilliant supporting characters within the MCU and have certainly played a significant role in developingtheAnt-Manfranchise. However, given how many new characters are about to enter the MCU with the mutants, it makes sense that Marvel wants to trim the roster slightly. As two of the older heroes in theMCU, it’s unlikely that there will be too many complaints about this decision.
