With Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania generating plenty of pre-release hype and Marvel Cinematic Universe fans actively looking forward to the likes of Kang the Conqueror, Ant-Man 4 is suddenly on the table. Star Paul Rudd is presumably more than game, and producer Stephen Broussard has revealed that talks are already underway for another entry. Assuming Quantumania is a hit, a fourth film in the saga feels almost like a foregone conclusion.
Doing so, however, is likely a mistake. While Quantumania may be every bit as good as fans are hoping for -- and while Scott Lang would make a welcome addition to future Avengers movies -- an Ant-Man 4 is likely a step too far. The reasons go beyond the character himself and speak to the overall direction that the franchise wishes to go.
Three Is the Magic Number With MCU Sequels
Trilogies tend to make a good fit for franchise films, and the MCU has a strong track record with its Part 3s thus far. The likes of Iron Man 3, Captain America: Civil War and Thor: Ragnarok all enjoy high standing among fans thanks to their ability to truly shake their central heroes up and reveal them in exciting new ways. Hopefully, Quantumania will do much the same for Lang and the Ant Family, and there's no reason thus far to think otherwise.
Going beyond that, however, hasn't worked out so well for the franchise. While Thor: Love and Thunder is more entertaining than its critics give it credit for, it also leaves the character more or less marking time. A fifth film feels like an exceedingly bad idea, regardless. Captain America: New World Order may do better, but with the focus on Sam Wilson rather than Steve Rogers, it's far more of a Part 1 than a Part 4.
Scott Lang's Story Can Come to an Elegant Conclusion in Quantumania
Quantumania looks to put Lang through considerable changes, but that also appears to come as part of the character's final act. He's reunited with Cassie and more or less happily a part of the Pym family as the film begins, and while that may change, it also strongly suggests that the character has found his resting spot. Not only would a Part 4 disrupt that, but like Love and Thunder, it could leave the character spinning his wheels unnecessarily. And with Phase Five of the MCU just getting underway, an Avengers sequel -- particularly one involving Kang -- feels like a far better fit for a Quantumania follow-up than another solo Ant-Man project.
Furthermore, new heroes have stepped forth in the wake of The Snap, and with the MCU's first generation of super-beings easing into retirement, Scott Lang could take up space needed for someone else. A Shang-Chi sequel, a third Black Panther entry, or even a second Eternals film all come with fresher protagonists who still have a great deal of story to tell. Another Ant-Man movie would take up a slot in the schedule that a newer hero might otherwise use. The MCU apparently plans to adopt a generational format to its storytelling, with younger heroes rising to replace the older ones as time goes on. If so, the beginning of Phase Five is an ideal time for a veteran character like Lang to step aside gracefully.
Another good story is always possible, and the Ant-Man movies have done some terrific things with characters often discarded as second-raters. If the MCU comes up with a strong Part 4, so much the better, and Rudd is always a welcome presence. But all that goodwill is probably best served in bringing his story to a conclusion with Quantumania. Going past that, at least as a solo superhero, feels like playing with fire.
To see if Scott Lang's story ends with Part 3, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania opens on Feb. 17 in theaters.