Sticking to Original Ant-Man Would Have Been MCU's Worst Mistake, Here's Why
It was actually a good decision not to make another movie centered around a super-smart guy.
You can criticize the Marvel Cinematic Universe for many things, but you can’t deny that the MCU managed to successfully adapt most of the comic book characters and storylines in its own way. Its decision to focus on Scott Lang as Ant-Man instead of Hank Pym is a prime example of this.
In the original comics, Hank Pym is the first Ant-Man, but the MCU chose to take a different route. Paul Rudd ’s portrayal of Scott Lang has been a breath of fresh air, adding a comedic and relatable aspect to the character. Fans took to Reddit to discuss why it was a smart decision.
One of the key points made in a Reddit discussion is the concept of legacy heroes. By starting with Scott Lang, the MCU introduced the idea of heroes passing on their mantle, which is a theme that has been explored in future storylines within the MCU.
It also showed that superheroes existed before the current generation and paved the way for the introduction of other earlier superheroes, like Captain Marvel.
Hank Pym in the comics is a complex character with a dark history, including instances of domestic violence. By choosing Scott Lang, the MCU avoided these darker themes, which may not have meshed well with the overall tone that the movies aim to set.
The Reddit discussion also brought up how Hank Pym, being a scientist like Tony Stark and Bruce Banner, might have had interesting interactions with these characters.
However, there are fans who feel that the MCU missed an opportunity by not giving Janet Van Dyne, the original Wasp, a more prominent role. In the comics, she is a founding member of the Avengers and a vibrant character with unique abilities.
While Hank Pym and Janet Van Dyne are iconic characters in the Marvel comics, the decision to focus on Scott Lang as Ant-Man in the MCU proved to be a good one.
On the other hand, a lot of fans weren't too thrilled with Quantumania because they felt like Lang's Ant-Man wasn't the best fit for the story. It's interesting to think about how differently the movie might have come across if Hank Pym had been Ant-Man instead.
Source: Reddit