Not only does it apply to the hero’s diminutive stature, but based on box office, as well, “Ant-Man” is the runt of the Marvel Studios litter. After two films, “Ant-Man” and “Ant-Man & the Wasp,” which were both relatively acclaimed by critics and fans, the franchise currently holds the #22 and #19 (out of 24) domestic box office rankings in the MCU, respectively. Many thought these numbers would lead to the studio cutting back on a third film, or even canceling plans for another sequel altogether. However, according to director Peyton Reed, not only is the development of ‘Ant-Man 3’ happening right now, the film is shaping up to be bigger than the first couple.
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Speaking to The Jess Cagle Show (via Collider), Peyton Reed updated the status of the untitled ‘Ant-Man 3.’ And apparently, those wondering if Marvel would cut the budget and make the film smaller scale are completely wrong.
“We are working away through the pandemic,” Reed said. “There’s some really really really exciting things in store, none of which of course I could speak to you about right now, as is the Marvel way… I think the third ‘Ant-Man’ movie is going to be a much bigger, more sprawling movie than the first two. It’s going to have a very different visual template.”
Of course, even before the COVID-19 pandemic shifted the entire upcoming slate of Marvel Studios films, there wasn’t a date set for the upcoming ‘Ant-Man’ sequel. However, it’s expected that Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, and Michael Douglas will return. And we can also safely assume that Michelle Pfeiffer, who was seen at the end of the sequel, will likely play a role in the new film, as well.
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As for what the story might hold, that’s anyone’s guess. The first film played around with the idea of shrinking and fighting crime, while the sequel really amped up the growing and shrinking aspects even more and introduced the idea of the Quantum Realm. Now, with “Avengers: Endgame” fleshing out time-travel using the Quantum Realm, there’s really a never-ending number of possibilities Reed and Co. could go in with a new film. Hell, maybe the heroes could venture into other dimensions and perhaps meet up with a long, lost family, aka the Fantastic Four? Yes, that’s pure fan speculation, but why not?