Marvel Will Say Goodbye To Two MCU Stars After The Multiverse Phase

The multiverse phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe might not have been the most popular in the MCU’s run, but Marvel Studios is set to release some huge projects in the near future. With Thunderbolts*, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and two Avengers films coming up, there is a lot of potential for this phase to be turned around with some iconic and memorable moments. However, this phase is expected to be drawing to an end after Avengers: Secret Wars.

Avengers: Secret Wars is slated to be released on 7 May 2027 and will wrap up this phase of the MCU’s history. It has been teased that the X-Men will appear in the MCU for the first time after that, and that should usher in a completely new phase that will likely be focused on mutants. However, with a plethora of new characters expected to be introduced in the near future, there are also some who could be disappearing.

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According to Alex Perez during the latest Cosmic Circus Q&A, Marvel Studios is set to say goodbye to Hank Pym and Janet van Dyne at the end of the multiverse phase. Marvel is set to move on from those characters portrayed by Michael Douglas and Michelle Pfeiffer, respectively, who have played crucial roles in the Ant-Man franchise. It will lead to plenty of questions about whether or not future Ant-Man movies are going to be planned, but Marvel Studios could continue that franchise without these characters as Paul Rudd is the lead star.

There have been three Ant-Man movies so far in the MCU, with Pym and Van Dyne also turning up in previous Avengers films as well. At the moment, it’s unclear whether they will turn up again in this franchise. Still, they could play a part in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, given how many characters are being brought into those movies from the wider MCU. Considering the intelligence of those characters and their experience in the Quantum Realm, they could have a lot to offer in the final stages of the multiverse phase.

There is a chance that their role was reduced toward the end of the multiverse phase, as Kang was initially set to be the main villain for the upcoming Avengers movies. However, those plans were pivoted toward Robert Downey Jr’s forthcoming return in MCU as he will be playing Doctor Doom. However, it will likely never be revealed just how much Marvel Studios changed plans. Still, they certainly were adjusted, with those involved in the Ant-Man franchise being impacted, given the experience they had with Kang in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.

Pym and Van Dyne have been brilliant supporting characters within the MCU and have certainly played a significant role in developing the Ant-Man franchise. However, given how many new characters are about to enter the MCU with the mutants, it makes sense that Marvel wants to trim the roster slightly. As two of the older heroes in the MCU, it’s unlikely that there will be too many complaints about this decision.

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