Many fans believe Scott Lang may face a grim fate in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, largely due to his history in Marvel Comics.
The Marvel Universe, and comics as a whole, have shown that death is more a phase of a life cycle that isn’t set in stone. As a result, heroes and villains have died and returned countless times, with few exceptions, such as Uncle Ben and Gwen Stacy. Nevertheless, many heroes have been killed in tragic ways and returned in an equally glorious fashion. But in the moment of their passing, there’s always a lasting impact, such as the death of Superman or Wolverine. Even the live-action world of comic book properties have toyed with the idea of death and resurrection as well.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania will follow Scott Lang’s journey through the Quantum Realm and the effects of facing an enemy as dangerous as Kang the Conqueror. But the trailer has gotten fans to believe that Scott’s end may be closer than expected as he may perish in trying to save his family. But this potential death wouldn’t be out of canon as Scott has made the ultimate sacrifice before.
Scott Lang Has Died And Returned Before
Scott Lang was an Avengers for some time before his death and had earned the title of Ant-Man after Hank Pym. While he was best known for his unfailing kindness, that same selflessness spelled doom for him. In Avengers: Disassembled (by Brian Michael Bendis and David Finch), Scott was greeted by the zombified corpse of Jack of Hearts at the front door of Avengers Mansion. But before he could offer any help, Jack exploded and killed Scott instantly. This was all part of a larger plot by the Scarlet Witch, who had suffered a mental break after learning that the children she created through magic were taken, and her mind was wiped of the memories. Scott’s death kickstarted a battle that ended the Avengers, but he was forever remembered as one of their most valuable teammates.
While Scott was seemingly killed in action, his daughter, Cassie, continued his legacy as the heroine named Stature. During her time on the Young Avengers, she saved countless lives and was introduced to the likes of a Kang variant named Iron Lad and reincarnations of Wanda’s children, Wiccan and Speed. But during the series Young Avengers: Children’s Crusade (by Allan Heinberg and Jim Cheung), Iron Lad created tech that allowed the team to influence time without altering it. They used it to prevent Wanda’s assault, which meant taking Scott out of time and effectively resurrecting him. Since then, Scott has remained a fixture in the Marvel Universe.
Why Is Scott Lang Important To Both Universes?
Should Scott die in the MCU, his death wouldn’t come as a surprise to seasoned comic book fans. But because of this, his resurrection could be just as plausible, thanks to recent events in the universe. For example, the Scarlet Witch was recently shown to have suffered a similar break as a result of the influence of the Darkhold and sacrificed herself for the greater good. But since a body was never recovered, it’s possible she’s remained lying in wait. If so, this could mean that her big return, alongside Kang’s time-traveling schemes, could provide the ingredients to bring Scott back, whether through magic or time travel. Logically, this could be the best way to bring Scott back, but narratively, a resurrection of this sort fits because of Scott’s core values.
What has made Scott such an invaluable member of the Marvel Universe, both in film and the comics, has been his ability to sacrifice himself for the people he cares about and the greater good. Most importantly, he would have no problem putting himself in danger to protect his daughter. That, more than anyone else, makes him the perfect hero, as Scott knows the value of protecting innocents and loved ones. He would even do the same without powers or a second thought. As a result, his death could come, and it would likely be heartbreaking, but the MCU is in a perfect position to bring Scott back, not because he has to but because he’s a good soul who deserves a chance so long as he remains a good person at heart.
