What Ant-Man REALLY Wants From Kang - Quantumania Theory Explained

Scott Lang appears be getting something in return for helping Kang in the Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania trailer. As Scott says in the trailer, "we made a deal." Clearly, an arrangement beneficial to both parties will be negotiated between the two at some point in the movie. From the looks of things, this deal will serve as the basis of the movie's plot and perhaps the cataylst for the inevitable fight between Kang and Ant-Man.

The new trailer for Ant-Man 3 provides an in-depth look at Scott Lang's next MCU adventure while also explaining why he'll be clashing with Jonathan Majors' character. Apparently, Kang the Conqueror will try to procure Ant-Man's assistance in achieving a particular goal, which is widely assumed to be an escape from the Quantum Realm so that he can begin his conquest of the multiverse. Why Ant-Man would agree to help him, though, remains a bit vague for the time being. Based on Kang's remarks in the trailer, a desire for lost time will be a huge factor in his decision, but the details of what Kang has to offer is currently open to speculation. However, one theory explains what Scott could want and exactly how Kang can deliver on his promise.

Ant-Man Wants The 5 Years He Lost Back

The MCU has yet to find an opportunity to explore this element of Scott Lang's life, but it's been known since Avengers: Endgame that the snap took a heavy tool on Paul Rudd's character. Because of the snap happening while he was inside the Quantum Realm, he missed out on five whole years. By the time he returned, Cassie Lang was already well into her teenage years. How much of a gut punch this was for Scott was on full display in the trailer when his lost years are mentioned directly by the character. As evidenced by the conversation between Kang and Ant-Man in the trailer, this personal struggle will be at the crux of his dilemma in the film.

Kang says in the footage that both of them have lost time, but they "can help each other with that." Jonathan Majors' Kang promises to offer him time, but doesn't elaborate on how that could be possible. Later, Scott makes a comment about Kang being able to provide the characters with "a second chance." In the trailer, Marvel allowed for a sad glimpse at the life Cassie has led, which apparently includes a stint in jail. Knowing that his daughter has endured a miserable existence could make Scott even more willing to accept a "second chance" from Kang. Presumably, this deal involves him going back to an earlier point in time and living those years he missed out on between Ant-Man and the Wasp and Avengers: Endgame.

Time Travel By Itself Can't Solve Ant-Man's Problems

Ant-Man and the Wasp Quantumania Cassie Prison

Obviously, Kang's solution to Ant-Man's predicament is time travel, but this concept on its own can't solve all his problems. Theoretically, Kang could send Ant-Man back in time to be with Cassie, but what would that mean for the Scott Lang trapped in the Quantum Realm? In five years, he would be accidentally set free by the rat in Endgame, which would create a huge time travel conundrum that can't be lost on Scott, Hank Pym, or any of the others. There can't be two versions of one person together in the same timeline without all sorts of complications forming as a result.

Based on everything that was said and done in regards to time travel in Endgame, Ant-Man should have a complete understanding of how this concept works. He should know that going back in time to experience the years he missed can't end well, especially since Thanos would still have to be defeated eventually. Interfering or changing this event would risk an untold number of foreseen disturbances in the timestream, especially when considering the significance of Thanos' defeat and the second snap.

Kang Can Send Ant-Man To Another Timeline

Kang using his powers in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.

Perhaps the only thing that Kang could give Ant-Man that might work would be the purposeful creation of a branching timeline. He Who Remains worked to ensure that the TVA "pruned" these immediately, but the history of his Kang variants - as laid out in Loki - indicate that they has a reputation for carelessly making new timelines. Going in this direction may be what Kang really means when he says he can give Scott a "second chance." A timeline where Thanos is defeated by the Avengers during the battle at Wakanda could give Scott a path to a happy existence with Cassie and Hope that he never had in the Earth-616 timeline.

Of course, there's nothing perfect about this solution either. This arrangement would help only him and wouldn't have any impact on the people he cares about from Earth-616. He would be living this life with new versions of these people. However, it may be that Kang will succeed in fooling Paul Rudd's Ant-Man into thinking that his wish can actually be fulfilled unequivocally and without consequences.

Why Kang's Promises Likely Won't Matter

jonathan majors as kang the conqueror in ant-man and the wasp quantumania

Regardless of what they decide and what Scott Lang will supposedly get out of their deal in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, the specific terms are unlikely to make a difference in the grand scheme of things. After all, a moment in the trailer suggests that Kang will never follow through on his end of the bargain. Via Scott's "we had a deal" remark, Marvel has already confirmed Scott will wind up getting betrayed by Kang at one point or another. Looking at this line, chances are Ant-Man will complete whatever mission Kang sends him on, only for the villain to break his promise before the movie's conclusion.

While the MCU may never have to deal with the repercussions of Kang giving Scott what he wants in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, the fact that this offer is even on the table says a lot about the danger Kang poses to the multiverse. As the trailer suggests, Kang has no qualms about recklessly changing the timeline in order to pursue his own goals. Instead of taking precautions like the Avengers tried to do in Endgame, it seems Kang will do whatever he pleases. True to He Who Remains' warnings about the shenanigans his variants would cause, it's extremely likely that if left unchecked, the actions of the MCU's Kang the Conqueror will culminate in the creation of numerous branching timelines in the mutliverse.

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