WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for Marvel’s Ant-Man and The Wasp, in theaters now.


Ant-Man and The Wasp played things differently than the average Marvel Studios film. In the 2015 original, Scott Lang faced the villainous Yellowjacket, who possessed the same power set as Ant-Man, but in the sequel the heroes are confronted by a drastically different foe. Due to a Quantum Realm-related accident that altered her physiology, Ghost has unstable molecules that permit her to become intangible, leading to exciting action sequences that mixed size-shifting and phasing.

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But Ghost wasn't only set apart because of her abilities. The woman beneath the mask, Ava Starr, was transformed into a living weapon by S.H.I.E.L.D., and her constant physical pain makes her a sympathetic antagonist. She isn't evil, but rather a product of her predicament. However, once Janet van Dyne returns from the Quantum Realm and uses her newfound powers to alleviate Ava's pain, Ghost has no more reason to be an antagonist. Even the film's heroes recognize that, and they allow Ava to escape custody. Now, she doesn't have to answer to S.H.I.E.L.D., and she isn't in pain any longer. She's free to start a new path -- and it just so happens it could lead to a full-blown Thunderbolts movie.

Thunderbolts

First of all, it's important to bear in mind that while Janet uses her quantum-induced powers to alleviate Ava's pain, it appears as if it's only a temporary fix. The mid-credits scene reminds us of that, as Scott's mission is to shrink into the Quantum Realm, where he must collect a special kind of energy that will help further improve Ava's condition. As best we can tell, Ava is no longer in pain and she has more control, but it sill means she has her powers. On top of that, she still possesses her S.H.I.E.L.D. training. After all that she has done, Ava ends the film on the run with Bill Foster, looking to make amends.

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Enter the Thunderbolts. In Marvel comics, they're are a team of reformed supervillains who try their hand at being superheroes. They're rougher around the edges, but they still prove heroic due to their drive for redemption. Over the years, the Thunderbolts have counted many familiar characters among their ranks; in fact, Ghost joined the ranks during Marvel's "Dark Reign" era -- and it doesn't stop there.

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Ghost in Ant-Man and The Wasp

For example, Helmut Zemo, who was introduced into the MCU in 2016's Captain America: Civil War, has long been associated with the team. On top of being an experienced soldier, Zemo was an effective villain who broke apart the Avengers. The last we saw of Zemo, he was imprisoned. After losing his family, his drive was personal, and it's easy to imagine him seeking redemption by trying to build a team to replace the Avengers -- or do things better than they ever did.

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With Ghost and Zemo, a Thunderbolts team would already have a strong foundation -- but we'd still be missing a key headlining figure. And that's where Sebastian Stan's Bucky Barnes comes in. In 2016, Bucky became leader of the Thunderbolts in the comics, which makes him the best-known MCU character to be associated with the team. Given the character's popularity, having him headline a Thunderbolts film seems like the next logical step in his arc. Bucky went from a Howling Commando to a brainwashed assassin, only to finally be restored as a hero trying to make up for a lifetime of horrors. Leading his own team of reformed supervillains seems right up Bucky's alley, and it would make for a fascinating emotional journey following the events of Infinity War and Avengers 4.

Captain America The Winter Soldier Bucky Barnes

What's more, Bucky and Zemo already have a tension-filled history: In Civil War, Zemo framed Bucky for the murder of Wakanda's King T'Chaka. Having the two on the same team would undoubtedly lead to an interesting dynamic, and Ava's Ghost could be the one to keep the peace. With Bucky, Zemo and Ghost, the MCU already has a strong foundation for the Thunderbolts. After that, Marvel would be free to add a few more characters to the roster, new or old.

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Marvel may be already laying the foundation for such a film, as having Ghost survive Ant-Man and The Wasp doesn't appear to be for nothing. After all, even the actress behind Ghost, Hannah John-Kamen, has already stated she's up for a Thunderbolts spinoff. Perhaps she knows something we don't.


In theaters now, director Peyton Reed’s Ant-Man and The Wasp stars Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Bobby Cannavale, Michael Peña, Tip “T.I.” Harris, Judy Greer, David Dastmalchian, Michael Douglas, Michelle Pfeiffer, Laurence Fishburne, Hannah John-Kamen, Randall Park and Walton Goggins.