Waspis arguably one of the most underappreciated and underutilized heroes in theMarvel Cinematic Universe. At one point, the character was set to make her live-action debut inThe Avengers,with director Joss Whedon looking to cast Zooey Deschanel in the role of Janet van Dyne, however, the character was cut from the script. Janet Van Dyne appeared inAnt-Manas the original Wasp, with her daughter Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) becoming the hero inAnt-Man and the Wasp.
Wasp was dusted and was absent for most ofAvengers: Endgame,and despite being a title character inAnt-Man and the Wasp: Quauntamania, feels like she has less to do. In many ways, Wasp is overshadowed byAnt-Man, despite the films pointing out that Wasp is both a more skilled fighter and smarter person than Scott Lang and is fitter for a superhero. For whatever reason, be it the character orEvangeline Lilly who plays her, the writers have not done much to define Hope van Dyne as a character outside of her relationship with Scott Lang and her father Hank Pym. There is plenty to explore with this character as the legacy of Wasp is an important role in the larger history of Marvel Comics. Here are five MCU projects The Wasp could and should appear in.
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law
Currently, it is unknown ifShe-Hulk: Attorney at Lawwill get a second season, but more so than any other MCU Disney+ series, this is the one tailor-made for multiple television seasons. There are plenty more episodes that could be centered around superhero law and cases with various Marvel characters making cameo appearances.Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumaniaactually presents an interesting way to work Hope van Dyne in.
Related:Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania Left Us with These 5 Big Questions
The film established Hope is now running her father’s company which has been renamed the Pym van Dyne Foundation and putting a focus on global change helping people after the Blip including regrowing forests, increasing the production of food, and creating affordable housing options. Hope’s work is likely to draw the attention ofsome high-profile evil corporationin the Marvel Universe like Roxxon Oil that could draw Hope into court, and she picks Jennifer Walters as her lawyer. So far Hope’s circle of interaction includes her father, her mother, her boyfriend Scott, and Scott’s friends, so it would be a great bit of development to see her life outside that circle and possibly make her own friend group with someone like She-Hulk.
A Wasp Disney+ Special
In 2022,Marvel Studios introduced Special Presentations, which were specials set within the MCU. The first wasWerewolf by Nightfollowed shortly byThe Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special. Currently, no specials have been greenlit or announced, but this would be a great chance to expand Hope van Dyne’s Wasp character in her own story without involvement by her family or Ant-Man.
AWasp-centric specialwould be a great place to develop Hope van Dyne as a character outside of her relationship with the rest of theAnt-Mancast but also develop her as a character. Get into some more key personality traits and more specifically what she is like without being a superhero. Characters like Bruce Banner and Thor have greatly been expanded upon by giving them new layers to their personality to make them feel more like fully realized people and Wasp is in desperate need of that. Audiences already know she is committed and smart, but what else does she like to do?
Armor Wars
Armor Warswas originally intended to be a Disney+ television series but in September 2022 was upgraded to a feature film due to the scale of the project. The movie will reportedly deal with Tony Stark’s technology getting out into the world and his old friend James “Rhodey” Rhodes (aka War Machine) needing to help clean up the mess.The Disney+ seriesSecret Invasionwill reportedly be very important in setting this storyline up.
Related:How Quantumania Sets Up the Future of the MCU
WhileArmor Warswill finally beWar Machine’s time in the spotlight, the character will likely need some assistance and Wasp could be an ideal supporting hero for the project. While Hope and Rhodey have not interacted, Rhodey is familiar with Scott Lang (even developing a report with him) and Scott could refer Rhodey to Hope for help. Hope’s charitable foundation could also be threatened by some of Stark’s weapons getting out into the public and teams up with Rhodey to get to the bottom of it.Armor Warscould not only allow Hope to step out of theAnt-Mancorner for the franchise but develop her own bonds and friendship with Avengers that Scott has.
Captain America: New World Order
Captain America: New World Orderin the tradition of the previousCaptain Americafilms seems to have Sam Wilson assembling his own team of superheroes.The Falcon and the Winter Soldierstar Danny Rameriz will reprise his role as Joaquin Torres who is set to become the new Falcon. Young Avengers mainstay Eli Bradley is expected to appear and actress Shira Haas will appear asIsraeli superhero Sabra.
Rumors have been circulating that the film will feature a massive arms race between various forms of weaponry including advanced Star Tech and Vibranium, and super soldiers (including appearances by Hulk villains The Leader and Red Hulk), and that this will be an Avengers-level film. Sam Wilson as Captain America will need as much help as he can and Hope van Dyne’s Wasp would not only be a great ally but one who would have an active interest in stopping these various factions from unleashing these weapons that could harm the communities her charity is trying to assist.
Avengers: The Kang Dynasty
Avengers: The Kang Dynastyis likely going to be similar toAvengers: Infinity Warin that it will unite various heroes from different corners of the Marvel Universe, and while it is unclear which characters will be the central focus or make up the primary team of Avengers Wasp is a strong candidate for a major role. One obvious factor is that she has already encountered Kang and because she knows the threat that he possesses if his arrival or any variant of himself were to appear she has quite a bit of knowledge of the situation. If anyone were to implement reuniting the Avengers it could and should be her, as it would be a nice homage to Wasp being a founding member of The Avengers in the comics.
Another reason might be a more tragic one. If the titular Kang of Avengers: The Kang Dynasty is the version they meet in the Quantum Realm, and he gets out, he will likely go after Janet Van Dyne and try to kill her. He could accomplish this goal in addition or instead of killing Hank Pym. Michael Douglas has already saidhe would return as Hank Pymif his character dies, so that Kang could take his revenge immediately and this makes the battle with Kang even more personal for The Wasp. Scott Lang has been given the lead in the franchise because he is Ant-Man, but for a threat like Kang, this should be the moment Hope steps up and becomes the hero that she said she could be back in the firstAnt-Man.
