Marvel Studios is entering the next phase of its cinematic universe, but several longtime Ant-Man collaborators may not be part of the franchise’s future.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe began its Phase Six era last summer with The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025), positioning Marvel’s First Family at the center of the studio’s new direction. The film starred Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/Thing.
The cast also included Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal/Silver Surfer and Ralph Ineson portraying Galactus, giving audiences their first introduction to the villains and heroes shaping Marvel’s next storyline.
The shift comes after Phase Five delivered uneven results. That chapter started with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023) and continued through films including The Marvels (2023), Captain America: Brave New World (2025), and Thunderbolts* (2025). Several of those projects struggled both critically and commercially, leading Marvel to refocus its plans as it builds toward Avengers: Doomsday (2026).
The next Avengers installment is expected to unite a large group of heroes from across the MCU and former 20th Century Studios franchises. Robert Downey Jr. will return to Marvel–this time portraying Victor Von Doom/Doctor Doom–but some familiar characters are notably absent from the confirmed cast.
For example, neither Mark Ruffalo’s Dr. Bruce Banner/Hulk nor Brie Larson’s Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel has been announced for the film, and Ruffalo has publicly said he will not appear in the project. At the same time, new reporting suggests that several performers connected to the Ant-Man films may be finished with the MCU entirely.
Released in 2023 and directed by Peyton Reed, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania marked the beginning of Phase Five. The film followed Scott Lang and his family after they were pulled into the Quantum Realm, where they faced Kang the Conqueror, played by Jonathan Majors.
Paul Rudd returned as Scott alongside Evangeline Lilly’s Hope van Dyne and Kathryn Newton’s Cassie Lang, with Michael Douglas and Michelle Pfeiffer also reprising their roles as Hank Pym and Janet van Dyne.
Unlike the earlier Ant-Man films, Quantumania shifted the series toward a multiverse-focused storyline. The reaction was divided, and the movie finished with a 46% critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
The film ultimately grossed around $476 million worldwide, including a $106 million four-day domestic opening. But the momentum slowed quickly, with the second weekend dropping 69%. Given its production budget of more than $200 million, not including marketing, the film ultimately underperformed compared to Marvel’s typical box office results.
The situation was further complicated by the legal issues involving Jonathan Majors. Though he appeared in already completed footage for Loki Season 2 with Tom Hiddleston, the character Kang has not returned to the MCU since. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has said Doctor Doom was already part of the studio’s long-term plans prior to Majors’ dismissal, though some reports suggest Kang was initially intended to anchor the saga.
Another Ant-Man figure may have quietly left the franchise. According to entertainment insider Daniel Richtman, Michael Peña–known for playing Scott Lang’s loyal friend Luis–does not appear likely to return. Richtman wrote on X that he “[wasn't] sure what happened” between Peña and Marvel Studios, suggesting the actor’s time in the MCU may already be over.
Peña first appeared in Ant-Man (2015) and returned in Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018). Luis quickly became one of the franchise’s most recognizable comedic characters, especially due to the elaborate storytelling sequences where he recounted events in rapid-fire detail.
The character was missing from Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Director Peyton Reed later explained that the film’s Quantum Realm setting left little room for the supporting cast seen in earlier entries. “There were no versions of this movie with [Luis],” Reed explained, adding that including the character “didn’t make sense” given the setting and direction of the story.
Other Ant-Man performers may also be finished with the MCU. Michael Douglas, who played the original Ant-Man Hank Pym, previously hinted that Quantumania could be his final Marvel appearance.
While attending the Karlovy Vary Film Festival in 2025, Douglas confirmed he had intentionally stepped away from acting.
“I have not worked since 2022 purposefully because I realized I had to stop,” he said, per Variety. “I had been working pretty hard for almost 60 years, and I did not want to be one of those people who dropped dead on the set. I have no real intentions of going back. I say I’m not retired because if something special came up, I’d go back, but otherwise, no.”
Evangeline Lilly has similarly indicated she is taking a break from the entertainment industry. The actor revealed in 2024 that she was stepping back from acting roughly a year after Quantumania premiered. Lilly reprised Hope van Dyne, also known as the Wasp, in the third Ant-Man film, though the story focused more heavily on Scott Lang and Cassie.
Reflecting on her decision, Lilly shared: “I am so filled with joy and contentment today as I live out my vision. Praise God, I feel so grateful for my blessings. Stepping away from what seems like the obvious choice (wealth and fame) can feel scary at times, but stepping into your dharma replaces the fear with fulfillment. I might return to Hollywood one day, but, for now, this is where I belong.”
Lilly has also faced criticism in recent years for opposing COVID-19 vaccine mandates and attending protests connected to those policies. Marvel Studios did not publicly comment.
Despite the changes surrounding the Ant-Man cast, Paul Rudd remains active in the MCU. The actor is set to return as Scott Lang in Avengers: Doomsday, which is scheduled to open in December 2026. His involvement in Avengers: Secret Wars, expected in 2027, has not yet been confirmed.
How do you feel about losing the comic relief of Luis from the MCU? Let us know in the comments down below!
