When Marvel brought Ant-Man into the theaters, audiences were not certain what to make of this film. It was based on a character who was one of the original Avengers from the comic book source material, but most mainstream audiences had never heard of this small super-hero. The plot of a shrinking man seemed rather juvenile, but Marvel was able to weave its magic into it, and the film was a big hit. Of course, if Marvel's Cinematic Universe has a hit with one solo character, then there will have to be another. This is what is known of the Ant-Man 2, which is tentatively titled Ant-Man and the Wasp.
Of course, Ant-Man is just one hero in a Cinematic universe full of superheroes. A recent statement from Kevin Fiege on Cinema Blend says that he does not know how Scott Lang will fit in. Kevin Fiege is in charge of the Marvel films, which will have several films including Thor 3, a two-part Avengers story, Guardians of the Galaxy 2, and a whole lot of new characters by the end of this decade and possibly beyond.
Some planning must have taken place for an Ant-Man sequel, as IGN reports that Marvel Studios wants Ant-Man director Peyton Reed back to direct the sequel that may be titled Ant-Man and the Wasp. This sequel would occur sometime in 2018, but no screenwriter has been hired as yet.
Peyton Reed's role of a director was an eleventh-hour decision from Marvel after its original director, Edgar Wright, quit the project. Wright is best known for his comedies like Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead, and his name is on the screenwriting credit for the film. It could be tough to do an Ant-Man sequel without his involvement, as he was instrumental in bringing Ant-Man to the big screen.
Considering the first Ant-Man film ended with what sounded like an invitation into the Avengers, it will be interesting if that comes to fruition. There were also two teasers at the ending credits of Ant-Man that introduced the new Wasp as well as some struggle between Captain America, the Falcon, and The Winter Soldier.
There are several different directions that a second Ant-Man film could go. It is pretty clear that Ant-Man will be working beside the Wasp, which signals a definite love story between two superheroes that could be interesting. As for Michael Douglas' character of Hank Pym, he has a backstory of losing his wife after she went sub-atomic as the original Wasp. Considering that Scott Lang went sub-atomic and returned, there is no reason Pym's wife couldn't still be alive.
Marvel might have plenty of opportunities to explore at least some of Ant-Man's future in Captain America: Civil War, which will be released on May 6, 2016. However, there is reported to be lot going on in that film. Considering that Ant-Man was one of the original Avengers, it is about time he has his time in the spotlight along with Iron Man and Thor.
