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Thanos discreetly utilizes Pym Particles in Avengers: Endgame, paving the way for Kang to build on this knowledge and assert himself as a more dangerous MCU villain. The subatomic particles were developed by Hank Pym, and they have proved difficult to replicate by anyone other than the original Ant-Man. The particles allow for vast fluctuations in mass, density, and strength. More importantly, if equipped with an accompanying suit and helmet, the Pym Particles enable users the ability to enter the Quantum Realm. The Avengers enter the Quantum Realm using the Pym Particles to complete the iconic Time Heist from Avengers: Endgame, an event that teases more time travel in the MCU.
An overlooked aspect of Avengers: Endgame is the crucial role that the Pym Particles play for the villains, in addition to the heroes. After Nebula acquires a single vial of particles from the alternate 2014 timeline, Ebony Maw successfully reproduces them, permitting Thanos to time travel to 2023. Thanos and his Black Order casting the particles aside after time traveling brings up a potential Pym Particle plot hole in Avengers: Endgame. After all, the Pym Particle’s size-shifting power would have given Thanos an even greater advantage over Earth's Mightiest Heroes. With Kang looming as the MCU’s next Thanos, perhaps "He Who Remains" can put the Pym particles to further use.
Why Kang Needs To Be More Dangerous Than Thanos
Thanos forgoing the opportunity for further use of the Pym Particles is a plot hole in Avengers: Endgame. This pivotal misstep from the Mad Titan could be crucial to Kang's future in the MCU. Marvel has understandably struggled to replicate the high stakes for its heroes with post-Endgame projects. Thanos is the MCU’s strongest adversary, and if Kevin Feige and the story group at Marvel are striving to reiterate the success of the Infinity Saga, the Multiverse Saga needs an even more powerful villain.
Giving Kang Pym Particles Would Be His Perfect Villain Setup
The MCU Phase 5 will commence with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, including the feature film debut of Kang. While the character was introduced in Loki, the first entry of Phase 5 presents an opportunity to set up Kang the Conqueror’s ideal villain story. According to the Marvel Database, Kang isn't nearly as powerful as Thanos in the comics, scoring nine points less than the Mad Titan in the Marvel Power Grid. While this may be the case in the comics, Kang needs to be stronger than Thanos in the MCU for Marvel to have any hope of captivating audiences.
While Thanos neglecting the full use of the Pym Particles in Avengers: Endgame is both a mistake and a plot hole, Marvel can effectively remedy this blunder by furnishing Kang with some particles of his own. As opposed to solely using the particles for time travel, Kang can further exploit the Avengers and one-up Thanos. Kang is known for having an absurd assortment of variants in the comics, imagine how dangerous he would be if he creates his own size-shrinking army of variants. With the Pym Particles, Kang can elevate a forgotten plot from Avengers: Endgame and solidify his status as a far more dangerous villain than Thanos.