Paul Rudd may be synonymous with the character of Scott Lan. However, when he was offeredAnt-Man, he was unsure if it was the right move for his career. According to Rudd, he was offered the role before Disney had even acquired Marvel, making it something of a risk.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumaniais currently set to close out Rudd’sAnt-Mantrilogy. Thefilm promises a bonkers trip to the Quantum Realm, where Scott will encounter Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors). While there, he’ll also have to contend with his growing daughter, Cassie (Kathryn Newton), and deal with the five years he spent away from her betweenAvengers: Infinity WarandAvengers: Endgame.
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In an issue ofMen’s Health, Rudd recalled entering a meeting with Marvel Studios head honcho Kevin Feige. Rudd recalls this meeting occurred before Disney acquired Marvel in 2009, shortly afterIron Man.Rudd compared the idea of starring in such a film, at the time, with being onDancing With the Starsbecause superhero films were not yet at their cultural zenith. “It would’ve been like somebody saying, How would you feel about doingDancing with the Stars? A superhero franchise was never on my radar," Rudd said. “I never really thought I was the type of actor that they would offer any of those parts to. But when this idea came around, I was excited about doing something that was so out of left field, and I knew that if it was announced that I was going to be joining a superhero franchise, most people would say, What the f***? And I got to wear a superhero suit.”
Rudd’s “out of left field” comment ironically summarizes much of theAnt-Manfranchise. DirectorPeyton Reed has promised a more epicAnt-Manmovie withQuantumania.Though Scott Lang is more well-known for pulling off heists, here, he’ll be facing off against an Avengers-level threat all on his own. The film could be a landmark one for the MCU. Kang will, after all, be the villain of the nextAvengersfilm,The Kang Dynasty.
Reed had even commented thatKang is a bigger threat than Thanos(Josh Brolin). Kang’s abilities may be too much for Scott to handle this time. WithQuantumaniaset to close out the trilogy and Rudd being nostalgic for its start, one wonders if Ant-Man will survive.
Ant-Manhas never been a particularly robust branch of the MCU, but much of its success can be traced back to Rudd. His charisma is well-known, and his screen presence made Scott a memorable part ofAvengers: Endgame.WithAnt-Man and the Wasp: Quantumaniaprojected for a solid opening weekend, audiences are still ready for more of Rudd’s Lang.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumaniawill be released in theaters on July 24, 2025.
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