Bill Murray surprised and delighted fans in October 2021 by seemingly confirming he will appear in Marvel's Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania. That, naturally, sparked speculation about what role the seasoned actor and comedy icon will play. Thankfully, that question may have been answered thanks to his split-second appearance in the first trailer for the film, after months of rumors claiming Murray will portray the obscure Marvel Comics character Krylar.

Murray is seen only briefly in the trailer wearing a blue suit with gold accents on the shoulder and collar, with a surprised look on his face, but doesn't confirm anything beyond this -- including his name. But fans are running with the theory that Krylar is making his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut. However, this rumor has even the most knowledgeable comics fans scratching their heads. Krylar is relatively unknown, and isn't even an Ant-Man character. The green-skinned scientist has only one appearance, in The Incredible Hulk #156, a 1972 story in which he only receives a few panels. The obscurity of this character creates seemingly endless possibilities for Murray's involvement in the film and the MCU.

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Who Is Krylar in Marvel Comics?

Krylar, from The Incredible Hulk #156

To say that Krylar's impact on Marvel Comics is infinitesimal would be an understatement, as well as a good pun. His appearance in The Incredible Hulk #156 is the only time readers would have come across the character, considering he is killed in the same issue in which he is introduced. The comic follows the Hulk on a journey through what the 1972 comic calls the Micro-Verse. The Hulk shrinks through the Mirco-Verse until he lands on a miniature planet called K'ai. There, he takes on a Professor Hulk quality, in which Bruce Banner's consciousness is in charge of the Hulk's body.

The Hulk made the trip back to K'ai to visit the woman he loves, Jarella. Upon his arrival, the Hulk finds that Jarella's village has been destroyed, and that his lover was kidnapped by a neighboring ruler named Visis. It is with Visis that readers are introduced to Krylar, a subservient scientist to the crazed warlord. Krylar reveals his machine that can generate the physical embodiment of any opponent's deepest fears. Banner's biggest fear is an out-of-control Hulk, so this machine creates an anti-Hulk that he must battle.

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Bill Murray's Role as Krylar in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

While some may find it odd for the writers to add an insignificant Hulk character to an Ant-Man film, it is a touch encouraging. It shows the creatives at Marvel Studios are dedicated to the source material, have spent a lot of energy studying and aren't taking any story possibilities off the table. While there have been no casting announcements for characters like Visis or Jarella, fans shouldn't be surprised if the main cast makes a stop on the micro-planet K'ai.

The lack of history for Krylar is only a plus for Murray's portrayal. Because audiences will have zero preconceived notions of the character, Murray is free to do as much, or as little, as he'd like to with the character. Krylar could be a throw-away character Scott, Hope and Cassie meet along the way or a pivotal inventor who helps them get home.

Regardless of the character he's playing, fans are certainly excited about Murray's addition to the MCU. Director Peyton Reed has teased that Krylar will play a crucial role as someone from Janet van Dyne's past, which may help her daughter, Hope, to learn more about her. What this casting speaks more to is the power that Marvel Studios has as a force in Hollywood. That Kevin Feige and his colleagues were able to bring a veteran like Murray, who can truly do whatever he wants, to play an unheard-of throw-away character in an Ant-Man film would have been unlikely even five years ago. Krylar's insignificance could truly be the character's greatest strength, as it creates an endless amount of comedic potential for the one and only Bill Murray.

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania dives into theaters on Feb. 17, 2023.