Despite the multitude of announcements concerning the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe featuring all sorts of movies and Disney+ TV Shows for Phase 4, there has been no concrete word on Ant-Man 3. Until now, that is. In a new report, THR confirms Ant-Man 3 is in development, with Peyton Reed set to return as director. The expectation is to begin filming around 2020-2021 for a potential 2022 release, although the exact date still remains under wraps.
His seemingly small role not withstanding (pun intended), Ant-Man has become an integral part of the MCU. The sequel, Ant-Man and the Wasp, delved deeper into the Quantum Realm, a concept which became a terrific plot point to resolve the universe-level conflict in Avengers: Endgame. And with the doors to time travel now open and Scott Lang having gained some expertise in navigating the realm, it should make for some intriguing plot possibilities.
Speaking of which, one of those said possibilities per an old rumor from MCU Exchange is that Ant-Man 3 could introduce a Young Avengers squad to the MCU. At this point, it’s unclear as to the veracity of this rumor but the news was broken by Charles Murphy on his Podcast, who also accurately semi-confirmed Ant-Man 3‘s in-development status a few days back, lending some credence to this scoop. Given that there’s already a now grown-up Cassie Lang who becomes Stature in the comics, one of the members of Young Avengers and that Ant-Man pioneered passing the superhero mantle in the MCU from Hank Pym to Scott Lang, it makes some sense to have the Avengers baton be passed down a generation.
While not being stupendous financial successes like the other MCU movies, both Ant-Man and Ant-Man and the Wasp have made a pretty decent $1.15 billion at the box office combined. That’s a lot of money for a superhero who would’ve never gotten a shot at his own movie once upon a while. With the third installment, Reed will become the rare director to have completed an MCU trilogy, only second to James Gunn if he beats Reed to Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. I can’t wait to see what Reed has in store for the third Ant-Man installment.
The Ant-Man films have traditionally followed an Avengers film. The question is, will Ant-Man 3 also be preceded by an Avengers-level threat? Only time will tell. Stay tuned to Appocalypse for more.
