ANT-MAN Fits into the Marvel Cinematic Universe Because of Hank Pym



Now that the second trailer for ANT-MAN has been released by Marvel Studios, more and more fans are beginning to understand what the studio is trying to accomplish with the film. And this is a good thing because ever since Edgar Wright was removed from the movie, many fans have not given ANT-MAN any chance at being a good film.

Initially, ANT-MAN was supposed to launch Phase 3 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe after AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON concluded Phase 2. But once the Phase 3 lineup was revealed in October 2014 it was also revealed that ANT-MAN would conclude Phase 2, not start Phase 3.

So ANT-MAN is more or less the epilogue of Phase 2. Studio president Kevin Feige gave more insight as to how ANT-MAN fits into the MCU, when he spoke with ScreenRant.

“Ant-Man does a little bit. What it mainly does is introduce another aspect to the cinematic universe, with Hank Pym and his Pym particles, and the shrinking technology, and his lineage within the Marvel universe in the ’60s and ’70s and ’80s which we explore a little bit. And certainly, with getting to know Scott Lang and seeing how he could become the most unlikely Avenger. 
"So, it pretty much is about that story but you’ll see very clearly where that lays in between those two films.”

It's interesting to hear that actor Michael Douglas and his portrayal of Hank Pym (the original Ant-Man) is being talked about as the glue that connects ANT-MAN to the larger universe. Feige, then, confirmed this again with SlashFilm and goes into a bit more detail.

“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 Twins 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.”

Even though Paul Rudd is the leading actor of ANT-MAN, and surely donning those shrinking powers in future Phase 3 MCU movies, there is an equal amount of focus on Pym and his importance to ANT-MAN and the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe. This is great to hear because when word got out that Pym would not be Ultron's creator (like he is in the comics) and that he would be older and pass off the Ant-Man suit to Rudd's Scott Lang character, many fans were angry.

ANT-MAN releases on July 17, 2015.



To read more about ANT-MAN, click here.