Marvel Studios scored big this year, launching a lucrative new franchise with Guardians of the Galaxy. It may now seem like everybody and their mother was onboard for the outer space adventures of Chris Pratt and a CGI talking Raccoon and tree, but really, Guardians was far from a sure bet - even with the Marvel stamp on it. However, the success of the film bodes well for the next big Marvel gamble: Ant-Man.

After losing its writer/director/project developer of nearly a decade (Edgar Wright), Ant-Man is now in production under the guidance of Peyton Reed (Bring It OnYes Man). While the premise of a shrinking hero who communicates with ants may seem too silly for a major blockbuster film, the principal cast looks promising, with Paul Rudd in the lead, Michael Douglas playing iconic Marvel character Hank Pym, The Strain star Corey Stoll as the villain (Yellow Jacket) and fanboy favorite Evangeline Lily (Lost, The Hobbit) as Pym's daughter, Hope.

Ever since Lily's casting was confirmed during Comic-Con 2014, there's been a lot of mystery and speculation about who she is actually playing in the film. Naturally, the most common assertion is that at some point Hope Pym will suit up as The Wasp, another character from the classic Avengers comics who has strong ties to the Ant-Man character. Marvel has been mum on the subject - but these recent photos from the Ant-Man set (posted by Lily herself) seem to suggest a lot:

Now, here are photos of Janet Van Dyne, the Marvel Comics character known as The Wasp.

Wasp Haircut Classic Marvel Comics
Wasp as added female character in The Avengers movie for Marvel
Marvel Avengers Wasp Introduction
Wasp Janet Van Dyne Giant

Need we show any more?

With Marvel looking for a few diversity additions to its superhero lineup - not to mention the fact that Evangeline Lily is an actress whose persona is that of a spunky badass  - and the idea that Hope Pym suits up to fight alongside Ant-Man against Yellow Jacket is not all that shocking. Plus, having an ant, a wasp and a yellow jacket all in the accompanying toy line would be good for sales, what with the insect theme and all...

Between Scarlet Witch in Avengers: Age of Ultron and Wasp in Ant-Man it seems The Avengers are getting some actual super-powered female characters to stand alongside Black Widow's highly-trained secret agent. Diversity hires are great and all, but as we've pointed out, superhero films need to make better use female characters than they have in the past. But Ant-Man is on the right track; most expect that when a girl like Evangeline Lily suits up, she's going to be a fully-formed and badass heroine. Let's hope (pun) that's exactly what we get.

-

NEXT: Marvel Universe Cameos in Ant-Man

-

Ant-Man is directed by Peyton Reed and stars Paul Rudd, Corey Stoll, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas, John Slattery, Judy Greer, Michael Peña, Bobby Cannavale, David Dastmalchian and T.I...

The Avengers: Age of Ultron releases on May 1, 2015, Ant-Man on July 17, 2015, Captain America 3 on May 6 2016, and unannounced films for July 8 2016 and May 5 2017, Guardians of the Galaxy 2 on July 28 2017, November 3 2017, May 4 2018, July 6 2018, November 2 2018 and May 3 2019.

Source: Evangeline Lily