Captain Marvel serves up a stellar origin story for Carol Danvers in the MCU but it also proves that Ant-Man's role in Avengers: Endgame is even more vital than initially thought. The introduction of Carol Danvers and the timing of her MCU debut led viewers to believe that she would be the answer in the war against Thanos. That seems to no longer be the case.

Those who survived Thanos' snap at the end of Avengers: Infinity War are still reeling from the death of friends and loved ones. Steve, Natasha, and Bruce are back at the Avengers compound losing hope with limited options in how to fight back. Tony is trapped in space feeling as if his time is dwindling. And then there's Scott Lang, who unfortunately found himself in the Quantum Realm during the events of the snap. Ant-Man's situation is surely not ideal but it might be the insight he needs to give the Avengers the hope they desperately need.

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Ant-Man served as the twelfth film in the MCU when it premiered in 2015. Since then, the character of Scott Lang, played by Paul Rudd, played an integral role in the extended universe. Despite appearing in Captain America: Civil War, his character was absent in Infinity War. The reasoning is later explained in the character's second solo film, Ant-Man and the Wasp. Scott's next appearance will be a major milestone for the character and the events in Captain Marvel explain that sentiment.

Ant-Man's Role In Avengers: Endgame Is Essential

Ant-Man jumps on a pencil in Avengers Endgame

Avengers: Endgame marks Scott Lang's first appearance in an Avengers film. Considering how Captain Marvel played out, it looks like Ant-Man's presence is much more significant than first thought. All signs are pointing to Marvel's tiniest hero having a crucial role in undoing the "Decimation" and taking down the Mad Titan once and for all.

As shown in the Ant-Man and the Wasp post-credits scene, Scott is in the Quantum Realm during the time of the snap. Hope and Hank Pym are dusted, leaving Scott trapped with limited options to escape on his own. The first Endgame trailer reveals that Scott eventually escapes the Quantum Realm. There's even evidence that Scott is present for more scenes in the trailer but was digitally erased. The second trailer features even more of Scott as he's seen learning of the destruction that Thanos unleashed on the universe, including the disappearance of his own family. So how exactly does Scott escape the Quantum Realm?

Scott drives the Quantum Realm van from San Francisco to the Avengers compound in New York with what is presumed to be invaluable information. It's very possible that Scott escapes the Quantum Realm through the rumored "time vortexes" which could lead to the revelation of time travel. The possibility of time travel could be the only answer in saving all those that were lost post-snap. By going back in time, the team could change the course of history by taking down Thanos before the Decimation. The arrival of Scott may very well be what gives Steve the hope he needs to carry out the mission.

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Captain Marvel's Role In Avengers: Endgame Isn't What We Thought

Due to the MCU's schedule for Phase 3, it was clear that Captain Marvel would somehow be involved in Avengers: Endgame. The movie greatly connects to the fourth Avengers film but not in the way most people predicted. Many believed that Carol Danvers would be the key for the Avengers in figuring out about time travel. There was even a theory that suggested that Carol got her powers from the Quantum Realm. The events in Captain Marvel revealed that Carol receives her powers from the Tesseract which leaves Ant-Man as the sole link to time travel.

Captain Marvel's mid-credits scene also came as a notable surprise to fans. The scene directed by the Russo brothers featured Carol Danvers arriving back on Earth and coming face to face with Steve, Natasha, Bruce, and Rhodey. Since Captain America still has his beard, this scene likely takes place directly after the events of Infinity War. This proves that Captain Marvel is in Endgame from the very beginning. Infinity War hinted at her impending arrival when Fury using his pager to contact her before he was dusted but it wasn't clear when she would show up. Just because Carol isn't the plot driver for time travel, it doesn't mean her presence on the team won't be felt.

She might have a lot to prove but her fellow heroes will quickly understand her immense capabilities. It now seems probable that Captain Marvel will be used more a muscle on the defensive line rather than the scientific plot driver for the notion of time travel. She can harness powers that the other Avengers members don't possess which makes her a major threat to Thanos. The fact that her powers come from the Tesseract (space stone) means the team now has a new advantage against Thanos. Carol Danvers is definitely someone the Avengers will need on the defensive line when they go after the Man Titan for a second time.

Page 2 of 2: Captain Marvel Leaves Ant-Man With A Bigger Role

Avengers Endgame's Ant-Man After Snap

Captain Marvel Leaves Ant-Man With A Bigger Role

The original Avengers will undoubtedly have a major role in Endgame. This could very well be the last film for the likes of Steve Rogers and Tony Stark. While the plot will heavily center on Captain America, Iron Man, Black Widow, Thor, Hawkeye (who is now Ronin), and the Hulk, it's also time for the new wave of heroes to shine. Characters like Ant-Man, Captain Marvel, and Nebula will prove themselves as the game-changers in this impending battle.

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With the presumed time jump indicated in the trailer, the team clearly spends a lot of time preparing for their new mission. With Ant-Man back in the mix, they now have the resources to investigate the scientific possibilities involved with time travel. It doesn't hurt having Bruce Banner and Tony Stark as the brains behind the mission. The trailer reveals that Tony will eventually make it back on Earth with Nebula in time for the next fight.

Scott's prominence can also be felt through the team's new suits. The previously rumored suits are confirmed in the trailer as members of the team are seen wearing similar costumes. The red, white, and black suits which look almost identical to the Quantum Realm suit that Hank wore in Ant-Man and the Wasp. This suggests that the team figures out a plan to enter the realm to travel in time. Whether they plan on entering in the hopes of copying the Infinity Stones or altering Thanos' plans in another way is still unknown. Even with the time jump and the ample time the Avengers have to come up with their plan, there will never be enough time to fully prepare for what they are getting themselves into.

The technology behind the Advanced Tech suits come from Scott as he is the only one left with the knowledge of the Quantum Realm. Since he escapes, he most likely has more of an idea in how to enter and leave the realm. The suits are required to protect against negative effects in the realm but there will most likely be other factors when it comes to time vortexes. The laws of time and space break down in the microverse and its something only Ant-Man has experience with. Through all the dangers and risks involved through the mission in Avengers: Endgame, it comes down to saving those they lost. To Scott, there's likely only one specific person he's fighting for, his daughter Cassie.

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