When last year's "Ant-Man" concluded, viewers were teased about Hope van Dyne taking on the role of the Wasp, suggesting that the superheroine will play a huge part in the sequel "Ant-Man and the Wasp." Director Peyton Reed confirmed that Hope's Wasp will indeed have a main story arc in the follow-up, and she will not be a supporting character to Scott Lang's Ant-Man.
More Powerful Hope Van Dyne As Wasp In "Ant-Man and the Wasp"
In a recent interview with Modern Myth Media, Reed said Evangeline Lilly, who plays Hope, will share top-billing alongside co-star Paul Rudd in "Ant-Man and the Wasp." The filmmaker also shared that the sequel will go beyond the professional relationship of the two lead characters, and will showcase the Wasp's "full power set and everything."
"For me as a comic nerd, I always thought of Ant-Man and Wasp as a team and that's a lot of what the second movie is really about is how they work together, what their personal and professional relationships are like. To show her finally fully formed in this movie is really exciting," Reed told the news outlet.
Prior to Hope, the Wasp identity was previously taken on by her mother and Hank Pym's (Michael Douglas) wife, Janet van Dyne. She was presumed dead when she sacrificed herself during a mission with Hank. Janet has shrunk down into the Quantum Realm, a place where Scott also went to while fighting Darren Cross (Corey Stoll).
What To Expect On Ant-Man's Next Adventures
Reed also discussed the character developments that are in store for Ant-Man. According to the director's interview with Modern Myth Media, the fugitive-turned-superhero will encounter "some big leaps forward."
Reed said the screenplay for "Ant-Man and the Wasp" is still being written. However, he confirmed that the sequel's story will be heavily influenced by its comic book source material dating back to the early issues.
The director also hinted that Michael Peña and the rest of Scott's friends will appear in "Ant-Man and the Wasp." In addition, there were rumors that Sharon Stone would portray Janet van Dyne in the movie, SlashFilm reported.
Scott Lang rallied behind Steve Rogers' cause in "Captain America: Civil War." In the flick, the "Giant Man" version of the superhero was unleashed, though he was captured by Iron Man's forces and was put behind bars (again). That means Scott's identity has been compromised, a fact that "Ant-Man and the Wasp" will likely address, Nerdist wrote.
"Ant-Man and the Wasp" will bow in theaters on July 6, 2018.
