New Avengers: Endgame Theory Brings Hank Pym Into The Story

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is in a fascinating place right now, as the devastating affects of Avengers: Infinity War are still being dissected and discussed by the rabid fanbase. No one expected Josh Brolin's Thanos to actually win, succeeding in assembling the Infinity Stones and wiping out half the galaxy with the snap of his big purple fingers. Moviegoers were left to sit in horror as countless fan favorites faded to dust, with just the OG Avengers and a few other survivors managing to escape with their lives.

Since then, Marvel Studios has been very cagey about the contents of Avengers: Endgame, with the official title and first footage only recently arriving. Because so little is known about the film's contents, the rabid fandom has crafted countless fan theories as to what the Endgame might include. And the newest one indicates that Michael Douglas' Hank Pym could play an awesome role.

The theory, which comes to us from Reddit, has to do with Ant-Man's seemingly inevitable journey through time in Avengers: Endgame. The mid-credits scene of Ant-Man and The Wasp showed Paul Rudd's Scott Lang stranded in the Quantum Realm, as Hank, Janet, and Hope faded to dust as a result of Thanos' snap (aka The Decimation). Just moments before, Janet warns Ant-Man about time vortexes, so smart money indicates that the hero will end up traveling through time before eventually appearing on The Avengers' CCTV footage.

During Ant-Man's journey through time (which should also include the Battle of New York from The Avengers), the new theory indicates that Scott would actually travel back to 1983, and meet a young Hank Pym. This meeting would make Hank's actions in the first Ant-Man make more sense, as he meets the hero who he'd eventually trust with his fantastic tech. Much of Ant-Man focuses on Hank trying to keep his inventions from his colleagues/competitors, so it was surprising when he ended up passing on the mantle to Scott without much resistance. That is, unless he'd actually met Scott decades prior.

If this theory ends up being legit, it would be a bit shift in the MCU. On top of giving Michael Douglas' character a larger role in the greater shared universe, it would also make the Ant-Man franchise an essential part of the overarching narrative. The Ant-Man movies have largely functioned in its own little corner of the MCU, save for a quick appearance by Falcon and the Ant-Man and the Wasp's mid-credits scene. But with so many heroes having faded to dust thanks to the power of the Infinity Stones, the Avengers are going to need all the help they can get, with Ant-Man and Captain Marvel helping to fill out the ranks.

Of course, Michael Douglas isn't currently listed in the cast of Avengers: Endgame, so there's no guarantee that this fan theory will come to fruition. But if the Russo Brothers are planning more surprise cameos, then it stands to reason that Hank Pym's inclusion hasn't been announced. But Marvel's finest did assemble for that giant 10 year anniversary photo, so maybe there's a massive ensemble scene coming, and/or Douglas could have quickly filmed his role while on set.

Whether or not Michael Douglas’ Hank Pym pops up in Avengers: Endgame remains to be seen, but it does appear that Scott Lang is going to have a major presence in the Russo Brothers’ upcoming blockbuster. While the first Endgame trailer shows Ant-Man among those who faded to dust during Thanos’ finger snap of death, the fandom knows the truth: he was actually stranded in the mysterious Quantum Realm.

How Paul Rudd’s signature Marvel character will survive and function within the Quantum Realm remains to be seen, but Ant-Man and The Wasp proved it could be done. In fact, Janet’s long tenure stranded in the setting left her with some supernatural abilities. But most fans seem to think Ant-Man will utilize time travel to escape, and eventually make it to the Avengers compound, as seen in the first Endgame trailer.

Then again, the use of time travel might also have to do with Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel. The femme fatale will finally debut in her solo movie, just a month before she crosses over and teams up with the surviving Avengers in Endgame. Samuel L. Jackson has teased that Carol Danvers is able to travel through time, so perhaps Ant-Man’s time in the Quantum Realm will have an unexpected effect on the character and the blockbuster’s plot.

Ant-Man and Hank Pym may have made their debut back in 2015, but the franchise hasn’t been the most crossover-heavy property in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Sure, Scott Lang was included in the epic tarmac battle in Captain America: Civil War, but that’s been his only appearance outside of the Ant-Man movies thus far. But that’ll change with Avengers: Endgame, especially considering how few characters survived Thanos’ wrath in Infinity War.

Ant-Man’s increased presence in the MCU can be seen during the two brief trailers for Avengers: Endgame. He popped up in the tail end of the first trailer, as Black Widow and Captain America see footage of Scott outside the Avengers base from their security system. He eventually makes his way into the facility, as the second trailer showed him gearing up alongside Don Cheadle’s War Machine.

Unfortunately, there are still a few months of anticipation and fan theories before Endgame finally arrives in theaters to wrap up Phase Three of the MCU. Marvel Studios has been working hard to keep its secrets and spoilers under wraps, and thus far it’s succeeded. Not even Tom Holland or Mark Ruffalo have revealed anything yet, and the first trailers have been purposefully vague, with only brief shots of the surviving Avengers helping to reveal the upcoming film’s tone. But as far as the overall plot, anything is possible.

Answers will finally come when Avengers: Endgame arrives in theaters on April 26th, one year after the Infinity War ending shocked us all. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.