Ant-Man and The Wasp cut key flashback sequences with young Hank Pym and Janet van Dyne and now we know why. After a successful first outing, Marvel Studios moved quickly to bring a sequel to Ant-Man into their plans. In doing so, Paul Rudd's Scott Lang returned, but now Evangeline Lilly's Hope van Dyne would be elevated to co-star status. The co-billing went beyond just the lead heroes though, as the movie revolved around the rescue of the original Wasp.

Marvel bolstered the film's cast by bringing Michelle Pfeiffer in to play the original Wasp. As confirmed in the film's marketing, portions of Ant-Man and The Wasp were set to feature young versions of Janet and Hank (Michael Douglas). However, those that payed close attention to the film's marketing and production know some sequences were missing - and now we know why.

Related: How Ant-Man & The Wasp Sets Up Avengers 4

CinemaBlend spoke to Ant-Man and The Wasp's director Peyton Reed and asked him about these cut scenes. He confirmed that they did indeed film flashback scenes that weren't included in the movie, but says they didn't feel necessary. Instead, they decided to keep the focus on the present story.

It's tricky, because we talked a lot about how to introduce [Hank and Janet], and I always wanted to see some glimpse of them in the '80s. We talked about doing action sequences, we shot some stuff, and it just felt like... I think I've learned this along the way - as much as, as a fan, I want to see flashbacks, the present tense story is the thing. That's the thing that really matters to me - and also that I felt like it didn't want to be action. It really wanted to be emotional grounding, because after all, this is a movie called Ant-Man And The Wasp. It really has to be about the emotion of a daughter finding her mother after all this time.

While Ant-Man and The Wasp does hold some flashback scenes with Hank and Janet, it is largely an expansion of what audiences saw in the first Ant-Man. The 1987 mission looks like it was going to be an even bigger part of the movie though. Both Douglas and Pfeiffer were spotted on set for an '80s flashback in pedestrian clothes. Whether this was tied to the missile mission or even just them on vacation isn't clear though. However, the second trailer for Ant-Man and The Wasp actually showed some of the action Reed referred to. In the trailer, you can see Janet taking down a soldier in combat. This could've been a lead in to their actual mission or a separate one altogether.

Now that Reed has confirmed additional flashback scenes were shot and aren't in the movie, it remains to be seen whether or not they'll be released. He's said that the Quantum Realm will get a few deleted scenes on the Blu-ray, as well as some more Walton Goggins. If the effects are completed though, these flashbacks could also be included on the Blu-Ray later this year. If Marvel decides to keep these scenes in the vault, then maybe they'll use them for a young Hank Pym movie or even a One-Shot.

MORE: Ant-Man & The Wasp Propels MCU Past $17 Billion Worldwide

Source: CinemaBlend

Key Release Dates