One Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania star wanted the original Ant-Man to die in the divisive Marvel Cinematic Universe threequel. Amid the possibility of a new installment, he believes his character isn't likely to return.

Speaking on The View, award-winning actor Michael Douglas addressed his future in the MCU beyond Quantumania after previous comments that he wanted his character, Hank Pym, to die in Ant-Man 4, should it ever be made. However, Douglas confirmed he wanted Hank to meet his demise in Quantumania given his doubts about making future appearances as the former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent and original Ant-Man. "This actually was my request for the third one," Douglas said. "I said I'd like to have a serious [death], with all these great special effects. There's got to be some fantastic way where I can shrink to an ant size and explode, whatever it is. I want to use all those effects. But, that was on the last one. Now, I don't think I'm going to show up."

Shortly after Quantumania's release, screenwriter Jeff Loveness hinted at Douglas' character being written off in the threequel, with initial plans to have him die, then reimagine him as a literal hive mind whose consciousness lived through the ants. However, those plans "didn't go too far" when brought up. Douglas featured in all three Ant-Man films, with Quantumania seeing a more relaxed version of Hank as he was more focused on reconciling with his wife Janet van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer) after she was lost in the Quantum Realm than his job. Douglas also portrayed Hank in Avengers: Endgame and voiced the character in What If...?

Ant-Man 3 Had a Chaotic Production

Also starring Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly and Jonathan Majors, Quantumania received mixed reviews following its release, with the Phase Five opener becoming the first MCU movie to lose money in the post-pandemic era. The Razzie-nominated threequel was fraught with a chaotic production before its release. Its place in the MCU has also been questioned since Majors was fired from his role as Kang the Conqueror after assault and harassment convictions last December, with Marvel downplaying his involvement in the movie.

Following Quantumania's critical and commercial flop, a fourth installment seems unlikely despite previous behind-the-scenes discussions at Marvel. A recent insider report claims Disney has no intention of greenlighting Ant-Man 4 or other potential follow-ups of failed MCU films such as Eternals and The Marvels.

Meanwhile, Douglas is promoting his new biographical drama miniseries, Franklin, which chronicles Benjamin Franklin and depicts his years trying to convince King Louis XVI to support the U.S. in the American Revolutionary War. Released on Apr. 12, the three-episode miniseries sees Douglas play the titular Founding Father, with the show receiving positive early reviews.

Fans can stream Quantumania via Disney+ and Franklin via Apple TV+.

Source: The View