Warning: spoilers for Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania are ahead!One Avenger founding member deserves more than being stuck in Ant-Man’s shadow throughout the MCU. Phase 5 has commenced with another significant expansion of the MCU in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Despite some mixed reception - a tragically growing trend that’s developed throughout the Multiverse Saga - the third Ant-Man film was an exciting push forward for the franchise as a whole. Most significantly, it officially introduced Jonathan Majors as Kang the Conqueror, breathing a captivating aura into the cruel and vainglorious time-traveling villain. While he was unexpectedly taken off the game board to involve his variants in various upcoming projects, Kang proved why he’s the saga’s big bad.

For better or worse, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania showcased the vast wonders and threats of the Quantum Realm. Certainly, as the multiverse continues to expand and the franchise sets its sights elsewhere, other alternate dimensions in the MCU will be explored in similar depth. Ant-Man and Wasp can surely be a part of this, although Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’s ending did portend dark things coming for them. Given the MCU’s track record, it wouldn’t be surprising to learn that Ant-Man 4 is in development as part of the next saga, but there might actually be a better option and it would finally give one hero the respect she’s long deserved.

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Wasp Deserves Her Own Movie

Evangeline Lilly as Wasp in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

It’s definitely time for Wasp, played by Evangeline Lilly, to break out from Ant-Man’s shadow and get her own film. Despite being introduced alongside Paul Rudd in Ant-Man, and eventually getting the upgrade to titular hero in Ant-Man and the Wasp, she’s still been sequestered to supporting character status. In fact, she was barely featured in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania in any significant manner until the climactic final battle when she helped Ant-Man presumably kill Kang. However, Janet, the original Wasp, was more of a titular character in this film than Hope was.

There’s a possibility that Ant-Man might not make it out of the Multiverse Saga since he’s probably a primary target for the Council of Kangs. Hopefully, Wasp’s fate is different, because it would be the perfect culmination for her journey throughout the MCU to finally get what she deserves - especially since much of her story has centered on her being overlooked, underestimated, or ignored. It would be justice for an underappreciated and underserved character. Thanks to Wasp’s long history throughout the comics, there’s plenty to play with in a Wasp film.

Wasp Is One Of Marvel Comics’ Most Important Heroes, Why Is It Not So In The MCU?

ant-man and the wasp played by paul rudd and evangeline lilly in the mcu

Evangeline Lilly has voiced her interest in a Wasp movie. However, a caveat to consider may actually see Wasp become a new MCU villain instead. Specifically, Janet is Wasp in the comics, and Hope isn’t really an established character. Hope is the daughter of Hank and Janet, but from another universe, and she operates as the villain, Red Queen. However, since the MCU decided to go with Scott Lang as their main Ant-Man, and he needed a romantic partner, they went with Hope and basically made her a copy of Janet’s Wasp. Despite Wasp’s significance to Marvel, she hasn’t been treated similarly in the MCU.

Wasp film is just what the MCU needs to rectify this. Naturally, there might be some ongoing issues going on behind the camera due to Lilly’s controversial comments throughout production for Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. That may have played a role in her reduced role in the film, but elsewhere in the MCU, it’s no excuse. The MCU may want a new Ant-Man should Scott Lang actually meet his end, but in truth, Wasp is the perfect successor. A big concern might be past reception to female-led projects like Black Widow and Captain Marvel, but the MCU should trust in itself and take the leap of faith.

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What Could A Wasp Movie Look Like?

Evangeline Lilly as Wasp in Ant-Man and the Wasp

Seeing as not much is known about what could be coming after Avengers: Secret Wars, it’s easy to presume how a Wasp film could function in the new saga. Frankly, the possibilities are boundless since they’d be able to continue drawing from Janet’s history for Hope, and she’s got several decades of fun content to pull from. Specifically, a Wasp could even pick up on or take inspiration from a deleted scene in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania in which she once had a son. As with Ant-Man’s arc throughout the MCU, it could focus on her as a parent and hero.

A Wasp film could continue expanding on the Quantum Realm, and even help rectify a problem that plagued Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, as long as it takes place on Earth. Plainly, the film lost what made the Ant-Man films so entertaining - the shrinking. While she can also get big like Ant-Man, Wasp usually shrinks and such would lead to more great battle sequences like her kitchen battle in Ant-Man and the Wasp. This feature is at its best when it’s on its own in an Ant-Man film. It can get lost and mishandled in the mess of a big team-up film, like the A-Force film that might happen.

As for who she could go up against, given her long tenure in the comics as a solo hero, working alongside Ant-Man, and as a founding member of the Avengers, there are plenty of enticing options. It would be a good excuse to bring back AIM - Advanced Idea Mechanics, introduced in Iron Man 3 - led by Monica Rappaccini. They could also go with Ant-Man’s classic villain Whirlwind, or even the third Ant-Man, Eric O’Grady. Giving Wasp her own film would not only give an important character her rightful due but also allow MCU to put a tasteful twist on the Ant-Man formula.

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