Kicking off Phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is set to be the first big blockbuster of 2023.
While some previous MCU films have received a mixed reception, the cast of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania seems to indicate a talent-filled adventure.
The ensemble of actors features everyone from franchise regulars to unexpected cameos and a handful of new heroes.
Promotional art for Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (Credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
Luckily, we don’t have to wait long to see some of our favorite superheroes in action, as the film hits theaters soon on February 17.
To indulge ourselves in the beginning of Phase 5, let’s dig into the cast and characters of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.
The Eponymous Heroes of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
As you might assume, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania sees the return of the goofiest Avenger, Ant-Man/Scott Lang, played by Paul Rudd.
At 53 years old, Paul Rudd seems eternally youthful, always putting in an upbeat and energetic performance.
Quantumania marks the fifth time Rudd has suited up to play the role of Ant-Man, appearing in the two previous Ant-Man films as well as Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Endgame.
Paul Rudd as Ant-Man/Scott Lang in the 2023 superhero film Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (Credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
While it’s unlikely, there’s a small chance Quantumania is the last big outing for Paul Rudd in the Ant-Man suit.
When interviewed about what’s next for the role, Rudd has stated that he “has no idea what [his] future is in the MCU or Marvel at all.”
Paul Rudd wearing a Fendi suit at the premiere of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania in Los Angeles, California on February 7, 2023 (Credit: BauerGriffin / INSTARimages)
However, given the general secrecy surrounding upcoming Marvel movies, this could just be an effort to keep spoilers under wraps.
At the very least, the movie has afforded him to work alongside Evangeline Lilly, who starred in Rudd’s favorite television show Lost. For Quantumania, the 43-year-old Canadian actress returns to the role of superheroine The Wasp/Hope van Dyne.
Offering a much-needed hand to Scott Lang, The Wasp can also shrink down to microscopic size and has familial ties to the legacy of Ant-Man.
Evangeline Lilly as Hope van Dyne/The Wasp in the 2023 superhero film Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (Credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
This Golden Globe-nominated actress has enjoyed notable success since her time on Lost, popping up in major franchises like The Hobbit before joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
However, Lilly seems to want to keep the Marvel train going, as she called for a Wasp standalone film when interviewed at Quantumania’s premiere in Los Angeles.
Evangeline Lilly turning heads in a Giambattista Valli Haute Couture gown at the premiere of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania in Los Angeles, California on February 7, 2023 (Credit: BauerGriffin / INSTARimages)
Apart from acting, Lilly has also been dabbling with writing lately, publishing a series of children’s books called The Squickerwonkers.
Massive Marvel Villains Ahead
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania will also serve as the introduction for Kang the Conqueror, the main villain for the rest of Phase 5 and Phase 6 of the MCU.
Played by 33-year-old actor Jonathan Majors, Kang makes Thanos look weak by comparison, as this time-traveling reality-bender is dead set on conquering the entire multiverse.
Jonathan Majors as Kang the Conqueror in the 2023 superhero film Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (Credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
Jonathan Majors is a California-born, Texas-raised performer who used the creative safety of the theater community to escape his less-than-desirable childhood.
Majors made his film debut in the 2017 film Hostiles, but he has recently risen to prominence with his roles in projects like Lovecraft County, Creed III, and more.
With dozens of awards and even an Emmy nomination in his pocket, we’re hopeful that Jonathan Majors will have an exceptional screen presence as the next big MCU supervillain.
Stepping out in a grey suit, Jonathan Majors made an appearance at the premiere of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania in Los Angeles, California on February 7, 2023 (Credit: BauerGriffin / INSTARimages)
That said, Kang is not the only bad guy appearing in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, as trailers have revealed that the quirky villain M.O.D.O.K. will also pop up during the film.
In an unexpected turn, M.O.D.O.K. will be played by actor Corey Stoll, who is best known for playing Congressman Peter Russo on Netflix’s House of Cards.
Corey Stoll at the White House Correspondents Association Annual Dinner at the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C. on April 30, 2022 (Credit: Rod Lamkey / CNP / Startraksphoto)
MCU fans will remember that Stoll also appeared as the antagonist Yellowjacket in the first Ant-Man film, which may lead to some wild plot twists.
Quantumania Recasts Cassie Lang
Filling the role of Cassie Lang, the daughter of Scott Lang/Ant-Man and a potential new superhero, is the relatively new actress Kathryn Newton.
In the comics, Cassie Lang eventually follows her father’s footsteps and becomes the heroic “Stinger,” meaning that Newton could be here to stay in the MCU for some time.
Paul Rudd as Scott Lang/Ant-Man, Kathryn Newton as Cassie Lang, and Evangeline Lilly as Hope van Dyne/The Wasp in the 2023 superhero film Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (Credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
Kathryn Newton is arguably the freshest member of the cast, and she has been picking up steam lately with more and more roles.
Although she popped up in movies like Paranormal Activity 4 over a decade ago, the 26-year-old actress has been landing bigger roles in Big Little Lies, Pokemon Detective Pikachu, and Freaky.
All eyes were on Kathryn Newton, who wore a sheer Rodarte gown at the premiere of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania in Los Angeles, California, on February 7, 2023 (Credit: BauerGriffin / INSTARimages)
Interestingly, Cassie Lang is one of the most recent recast characters in the MCU, as Kathryn Newton is the third actress to portray the role.
In the first two Ant-Man films, a very young Cassie was played by Abby Ryder Fortson. Due to the time jump in Avengers: Endgame, the character required an older actress, leading Emma Fuhrmann into the role. Hopefully, the third time’s the charm!
Fuhrmann revealed on Twitter that she found out about being replaced when Disney released details of the film at their Investor Day in December 2020. While saddened, she expressed gratitude for being a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
(L) A much younger Cassie Lang was played by Abby Ryder Fortson in the first two Ant-Man films (Credit: PAPIX / INSTARimages); (R) Emma Fuhrmann portrayed an older Cassie Lang in Avengers: Endgame (Credit: Sara De Boer / Startraksphoto)
Solid Supporting Cast and Surprising Cameos
There’s no doubt about it; the supporting cast of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is just as brilliant as the leads.
64-year-old actress Michelle Pfeiffer has reportedly been put at “center stage” in Quantumania as Janet van Dyne, the mother of Hope and the original woman who wore the Wasp suit.
Michelle Pfeiffer as Janet van Dyne in the 2023 superhero film Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (Credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
The three-time Oscar-nominated actress should be exceptionally comfortable in the world of comic book films, as many will remember her iconic performance as Catwoman in 1992’s Batman Returns.
Michelle Pfeiffer stunned in a black dress from Saint Laurent at the premiere of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania in Los Angeles, California on February 7, 2023 (Credit: BauerGriffin / INSTARimages)
There are also some lesser-known characters who will likely play a decent part in the story, given the talent behind the names.
The Emmy-nominated actor William Jackson Harper, who is best known for his work on the show The Good Place and the horror film Midsommar, is portraying a serious character named Quaz.
William Jackson Harper as Quaz in the 2023 superhero film Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (Credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
Quaz is supposedly buddied up with Jentorra, the leader of a group of Freedom Fighters located in the Quantum Realm, played by Katy O’Brian.
With a smattering of parts in shows like The Mandalorian and Black Lightning, her foray into the MCU could be the big breakout moment for this martial artist and actress.
Katy O’Brian as Jentorra in the 2023 superhero film Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (Credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
Perhaps the oddest inclusion in the cast of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is 72-year-old actor Bill Murray. He plays the mega-obscure character Krylar, a nefarious governor who presides over citizens in the Quantum Realm.
Funnily enough, Bill Murray and Kathryn Newton were reportedly golfing buddies before shooting the film, so the actor called Newton and asked for her blessing to join the cast.
Having already lent his voice to “The Fantastic Four” in a 1975 radio show adaptation of the comic book’s early issues, Bill Murray has now taken on his third comic book role, having also voiced the titular feline in “Garfield” (2004) and “Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties” (2006).
Bill Murray at the premiere of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania in Los Angeles, California on February 7, 2023 (Credit: BauerGriffin / INSTARimages)
Will Quantumania Break Records?
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is set for release in theaters on February 17, 2023. Regardless of the critical reception, it’s destined to be a hit at the box office.
The Ant-Man movies have only gotten more popular with time, as the first film saw roughly $520 million in ticket sales, while Ant-Man and the Wasp had a total of over $620 million.
Evangeline Lilly as Hope van Dyne/The Wasp and Paul Rudd as Scott Lang/Ant-Man in the 2023 superhero film Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (Credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
It might even have the potential to surpass the most recent Marvel movie, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, which pulled in roughly $843 million at the box office.
Either way, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania should be a fun start to 2023 and Phase 5 of the MCU!