Veteran actor Michael Douglas, known for his role as Ant-Man, has stated that he's likely finished with the Marvel Cinematic Universe after four appearances as the miniature scientist Hank Pym.
Douglas featured in all three Ant-Man movies released so far, ending with the poorly received 2023 film Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, following his cameo in Avengers: Endgame.
As production begins on Avengers: Doomsday, will Marvel fans get a final glimpse of Hank Pym? Douglas suggests it's doubtful.
"I don't think so," Douglas told Deadline when questioned about returning for another Marvel project. "It was a great experience, and I was thrilled to be part of it."
Douglas has largely stepped back from acting, with his Marvel roles being his only major screen appearances in recent years. Meanwhile, he has continued his work as a producer, with over a dozen producing credits to his name.
"I'd never worked on a green screen film before," Douglas added, reflecting on his Marvel experience. "But I'm really enjoying my break and the pace of my life now. Juggling a production company and acting roles simultaneously was quite demanding."
Douglas previously expressed his wish for Hank Pym to be written out of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, giving the character a definitive conclusion while raising the stakes for Paul Rudd's Ant-Man. However, Marvel executives had different plans.
Surprising Avengers and Marvel Characters Missing from Doomsday Announcements
View 12 Images
Quantumania's underwhelming box office results cast doubt on the future of the Ant-Man franchise, though Rudd has already been confirmed to return in Avengers: Doomsday.
As for the rest of the Ant-Man team—Pym, Michelle Pfeiffer's Janet Van Dyne, and Evangeline Lilly's Hope Van Dyne—their return seems unlikely. In June 2024, Lilly announced she would be taking a break from acting to focus on her family, making a Wasp cameo in Avengers: Doomsday improbable.
So what can audiences expect from Avengers: Doomsday? Earlier this week, footage leaked from the film's set, hinting at the comeback of a surprising location from The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
