Exclusive: Michael Douglas Rules Out Hank Pym Return to MCU

Veteran actor Michael Douglas, known for his role as Ant-Man's Hank Pym, has indicated his time in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is likely over, following four film appearances as the size-shifting scientist.

Douglas has featured in all three Ant-Man films, including 2023's critically panned *Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania*, and also appeared in *Avengers: Endgame*.

With *Avengers: Doomsday* now in production, fans are wondering if Hank Pym will make a final appearance. According to Douglas, that seems improbable.

"I don't think so," Douglas told Deadline when questioned about a potential Marvel return. "I've had the experience, and I was thrilled to be a part of it."

Douglas has largely stepped back from acting, with his Marvel roles being his only major film work in recent years. He continues to work actively as a producer, with numerous credits to his name.

"Marvel films were my first experience with green screen work," Douglas added. "But I'm really enjoying this break and my current lifestyle. Juggling a production company and acting simultaneously was incredibly demanding."

Douglas had previously expressed a wish for Hank Pym to be killed off in *Quantumania*, arguing it would complete the character's story and raise the stakes for Paul Rudd's Ant-Man. Marvel executives, however, chose a different direction.

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The underwhelming box office of *Quantumania* has cast doubt on the future of the Ant-Man franchise, though Paul Rudd is already confirmed to return in *Avengers: Doomsday*.

As for the rest of Ant-Man's supporting cast—Hank Pym, Michelle Pfeiffer's Janet Van Dyne, and Evangeline Lilly's Hope Van Dyne—their return is uncertain. In June 2024, Lilly announced she was taking a break from acting to focus on her family, making a Wasp cameo in *Doomsday* similarly unlikely.

So what can audiences expect from *Avengers: Doomsday*? Earlier this week, what appeared to be leaked set footage surfaced online, hinting at the return of a notable location from *The Falcon and the Winter Soldier*.