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Minor SPOILERS for Ant-Man!
Marvel’s Phase 2 is almost complete as Ant-Man will soon be hitting theaters in a little less than two weeks. We’ve watched Iron Man battle domestic terrorists and drunken English staged actors. We have witnessed Thor combat dark intergalactic elves and gateway mayhem concerning the nine realms. Captain Steve Rogers dealt with governmental conspiracies and a metal armed assassin. Recently, the Avengers stopped a megalomaniac robot that had world destruction on his agenda. Phase 2 has been quite a ride as the heroes have Marvel have engaged in bombastic battles and fantastical plot lines. Different from Phase 1, the Avengers aren’t the final act of this current phase. That honor goes to the small but strong hero Ant-Man.
Ant-Man has had a rough journey to its impending release. It’s gone through the loss of a director and faith from fans. Edgar Wrights’ departure started a storm of controversy and worry for the film. Script rewrites followed as Wright’s vision had to be tweaked to fit the MCU. Who would follow Wright after his withdrawal? Peyton Reed, a director known for doing more comedic films, took on the challenge. With a strong cast that includes, Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Corey Stoll, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Pena and others, Ant-Man continued to fight through its tough trials and move ahead. As the film’s theatrical debut nears, trailers and clips have restored faith in the movie. The actors have expressed deep admiration of the filming process and overall atmosphere of the flick. Praise from lucky individuals who’ve seen the film prior to its theatrical release has quieted some doubters. Those fortunate enough to have seen the film have also, dropped some minor spoilers.
Spoilers are either your best friend or worst enemy for movie fans; especially comic book film fans. There are those who can’t escape any bit of spoilerish information. They fall prey to the temptation of discovering some new material. And then there are people like me, who try to evade the behind the scenes tidbits as bets as they can. But, I too can easily fall victim to the reveal of spoilers. Tweets from people who have seen early screening s have pointed to various matters such as Spider-man references and post credits scenes. But, what interests me is the subject of Hany Pym’s past. This was not only brought up by viewers, but also Marvel Studios resident geek god, Kevin Feige.
Marvel President Kevin Feige, recently revealed that Hank Pym’s past is a significant part of the film. The first scene of the film is actually a flashback to a young Pym working with S.H.I.E.L.D and not wanting his tech in their hands. For those unware, Hany Pym, played by the legendary Michael Douglas, is the original and first Ant-Man. The film focusses on him passing down the mantle to former thief Scott Lang (Paul Rudd). Director Peyton Reed has also stated that Hany Pym is a layered individual whose past haunts him.
"Listen, if we were lucky enough to be able to do a sequel or even a prequel, I'd be way into it," "I've really fallen in love with these characters. I was always in love with the characters in the comic book world but there's a lot of story to tell with Hank Pym."
--Peyton Reed
Hank Pym is an older man in the current MCU. I’m not one to really enjoy spoiling anything for people but, in this case, I’ll keep the surprise info small. A particular part of Pym’s past that’s important has to do with his wife Janet. If you’re an avid comic book reader, you know a little about Janet Van Dyne. The film tweaks her history and has her trapped in a
quantum realm while aiding Pym on a mission back in the day. She shrinks to assize so small, she becomes lost. Losing his wife hurts Pym to the point where he hides his tech and gives up being a hero. This is only a small part of what a prequel about Hany Pym can explore. It’s a small but vital part.
Marvel isn’t known for prequels.
Captain America: The First Avenger could or couldn't be considered one. Agent Carter has the same situation. An Ant-Man prequel, in my opinion, could work as series or as a film depending on how deep into Pym’s mythology you want to go. A prequel, of any kind, would allow for character exploration, more MCU connections and new characters. Let’s jump into why a Hank Pym prequel would be great idea.
MORE SCIENTIST THAN SUPERHERO
Crime fighting is exciting. The thrill of the battle is enticing. Superheroes protect those who can protect themselves and seem to do it with an eccentric flare. There’s a sense of accomplishment that comes with it all. Adulation from the people is constant. Seems like a wonderful and fulfilling engagement. Not for Hank Pym. Reports and descriptions of Pym in the MCU have alluded to the fact that he hates superheroes. Now, this can probably be connected to the fact that he failed as a hero to save his wife. That’s understandable. My point isn’t really focused on Pym hating heroes but more along the lines of him favoring science of being a hero.
In his past, Pym must’ve loved being a hero, before his wife’s disappearance. The excitement and thrill of it all must have intrigued him. What’s interesting about Hank Pym is that he is a scientist first. In most cases discovery, invention and innovation trumps protecting, fighting and heroism for Pym. That’s not say that Pym doesn’t care for the weak but science is his first love. If you read u on his character, he often tries to protect people thorough scientific improvement rather than using his fists. He’s a known pacifist.
A superhero that holds something else above his heroism is interesting. Superman is the Earth’s protector and holds that above him being a reporter. Batman is a caped crusader first and a philanthropic playboy second. Daredevil may love the law, but he loves stopping crime more. Scott Lang, our modern day Ant-Man, is a father first. The most important thing in his life is his daughter. When Pym was younger, science was what came first for him in some circumstances. Witnessing the struggle between being a hero and a scientist is an exciting subject.
"I, Ant-Man, take thee, Wasp…
Love stories in superhero films and media, often fall flat. Rarely do superhero romances work on film or TV screen. It’s still a common topic in comics however. Superheroes have love interests. They date, they mingle, and they sleep one another. Sounds like a romantic comedy. Seldom are heroes ever married. It’s rarer that two superheroes are married to each other. With the marriage of two heroes, the old trope of the hero being worried of his/her significant other is altered. As is the civilian love interest not being able to handle the heroes dangerous lie. Both heroes worry about one another equally when married. They both know the risks and have an understanding of each other that strong.
Hank Pym and Janet Van Dyne are married supercouple. Little is known of Janet in the MCU, especially as to whether or not she was ever Wasp. Assuming she was, displaying her working alongside her shrinking husband would be a treat. It’s relatively known that Janet goes missing at some point. This event shapes Pym’s world for the following years. It’s appears to be the essential moment in their lives. In the comics, there was another, more unfortunate situation that was the pivotal point for Pym and Janet. If you’ve done your Ant-Man homework, you know that Pym assaulted his wife Janet. This is an ugly part of Ant-Man’s history that Marvel seems to be ignoring, which is good. I’d like to keep it that way. Going back to Janet’s disappearance in the MCU, her loss and how it affected Pym showcases how great their love is. Watching that love grows would allow for viewers to understand the pain Pym feels when Janet is lost.
Displaying a married superhero couple is new ground for Marvel. This love story is very organic due to the fact that Pym and Janet are married. You’re witnessing a marriage not a dating relationship. There’s chemistry in their union that’s different from most run of the mill comic book relationships. If done right, the marriage between these two can be a classic love story for comic book movies and or TV.
PYM PYSCHE
Hank Pym has not always been stable. He’s been depressed, erratic, tense, angry and insane. He’s a fractured superhero. This is due to a number of things. In the comics, his depression and lack of sanity was caused by him not being able to discover anything that could match the Pym Particles. Also, the fact that, at one point, his wife Janet found success as a fashion designer angered him. He was having no success in his field. This is ground I hope Marvel doesn’t tread. Pym’s frail psyche should be examined but its cause should be something different than a lack of success in life.
“Well, it’s an addled brain to be but, and especially I mean that’s another conceit too, is that the more you shrink, it affects your brain…“
--Corey Stoll
The aforementioned quote is from Corey Stoll who portrays the film’s villain Darren Cross aka Yellowjacket. He says that constant use of the Pym Particles can affect one’s mind in a detrimental manner. Pym used those particles for who knows how long. Imagine what it could’ve done to his mind? Mixing the lethal effect of the particles with his anger and pain over Janet’s loss could be volatile. Did he rid himself of the psychosis years ago? Has he been repressing it? In the Ultimate Marvel version of the character, Pym takes drugs to combat his fragile man. This is a hero who’s invulnerable mentally. Couple that with his abilities and who knows what acts he could’ve committed.
THE BIG HOUSE/ANT FARM
Hank Pym created a miniaturized prison entitled “The Big House” (sometimes referred to as the “Ant Farm”). It was formed to house criminals. The thought of a shrunken prison sounds very cool. Imagine the visuals. The very concept of a tiny prison is interesting. Pym, being a pacifist and optimist, hoped to also rehabilitate these villains. Rehabilitation of criminals is a touchy subject. Not everyone agrees with it. The espionage law enforcement organization known as S.H.I.E.L.D. definitely doesn’t agree.
In the 20th Micro-episode of Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes, titled The Big House, Nick Fury questioned Pym’s rehabilitation endeavor. He believed that criminals should be punished and that’s it. This creates a major conflict.
Not only is Pym’s miniature prison a new and visually exciting location for the MCU to have, its purpose creates a conflict of procedure. How should criminals be handled? Another interesting facet of this prion, and any prison, is the possibility of a break out. How many prisoners has Pym put in there? In different Marvel media versions, criminals have broken out of The Big House. Has there been a breakout in the past at all? Is the prison still operational today?
A hero who seeks to rehabilitate villains sounds strange. Strange is unique and that can be good. Prisons are usually for detention and punishment. Pym has flipped those distinctions completely. Being able to see the creation of this prison in a prequel allows fans to witness Pym building a part of his legacy. It’s a large part of his Ant-Man work.
S.H.I.E.L.D, PEGGY CARTER, HOWARD STARK & THE GOOD OL’ DAYS
Agent Carter and
Captain America: The First Avenger has displayed the MCU in its golden age. Each property has showcased the
good ol’ days in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The MCU has a past just as storied as its modern day and future. Rumors, speculation and definitive info cornering
Ant-Man have revealed that S.H.I.E.L.D, Peggy Carter and Howard Stark play a role in Hank Pym’s past. Primarily, the opening scene takes place in the late 80s as Pym meets with Stark and Peggy. Apparently, Pym worked for the shady organization back in the day. There were also rumors that Pym had dealings with General Ross, Alexander pierce and Arnim Zola back in the 60s. While it appears as if these encounters with Pierce, Zola and Ross won’t be in the film, that doesn’t mean they still haven’t happened.
“Ant-Man’ will take place alongside the events of ‘Age of Ultron’, the fall-out of which will spur on the Superhuman Registration Act. While ‘Ant-Man’ is largely self-contained in nature, the references of the MCU will come from Pym’s past as a scientist for S.H.I.E.L.D. in the ‘60s, having worked alongside Howard Stark, Arnim Zola and Alexander Pierce.”
“However, in this flashback sequence, Pym will supposedly also have a run-in with a young military hot-head by the name of Thaddeus ‘Thunderbolt’ Ross, who Marvel fans have last seen in ‘The Incredible Hulk’ as played by William Hurt.”
Most of these rumors have been debunked or found to have no truth to them. But, there are snippets of the above-mentioned text that could still have occurred, As I said before, Pym could have very well dealt with Ross, Pierce and Zola in the 60s. The Ant-Man film only flashes back to the 80s. Showing Pym interact with these known MCU characters gives viewers a glimpse into not only Pym but these other characters. How were they in their youth? When did Alexander Pierce become a part of HYDRA? Did Pym, being a scientist, work with Zola on any projects? What was Pym’s relationship with Ross? Did he ever work on any military science with him? Ross has had connections to the super solider serum; did Pym ever work on it? There are so many questions and possibilities that are raised.
CONCLUSION
Pym has a lengthy career as a hero in the comics. Much of his history can be altered, translated and transferred to the MCU. The upcoming Ant-Man film seems to have laid some groundwork into opening the door for a prequel. Marvel should definitely consider it.
“Hello! I'm Ant-Man! Perhaps you've heard of me! I've come to help you!”
--Hank Pym
LET IT MARINATE!