Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania could kill a major character, but there is only one hero whose death would really matter. The third installment of the Ant-man franchise has the biggest stakes of them all thanks to the inclusion of Kang the Conqueror. Jonathan Majors' multiverse villain enters the film to radically change the way that Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania impacts the MCU's future. This is understandable since it is the first entry in Phase 5. But, utilizing a major villain like Kang the Conqueror also comes with other expectations in of the threat level he will pose.
It is largely due to Kang's involvement in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania that speculation has long wondered if one of the movie's main heroes is going to die. The theories only continued with footage teasing Kang's history of killing Avengers. There is no shortage of options for Marvel Studios if such a move is in the cards. In addition to Ant-Man (Paul Rudd) returning to lead the film, its Quantum Realm-based story allows for the returns of Wasp (Evangeline Lilly), Hank Pym (Michael Douglas), Janet van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer), and Cassie Lang (Kathryn Newton). Other MCU cameos are also possible but do not change Ant-Man 3's limited options.
Quantumania Killing Wasp, Hank, Janet, or Cassie Would Be A Mistake
It would be a huge mistake on Marvel's part to have Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania's major death be for Wasp, Hank, Janet, or Cassie. Each of these characters either has great potential for more MCU stories or has barely been underutilized by the shared universe to this point. Wasp and Cassie Lang fit into the first category, as Hope van Dyne still needs to become a proper Avenger and Cassie needs to the Young Avengers. Hank and especially Janet fit into the second category as characters Marvel has not given big enough roles to, even if Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania changes that.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania killing any of these MCU heroes would likely not deliver the type of emotional reaction Marvel would want as a result. Wasp, Hank, Janet, or Cassie dying as they fight Kang the Conqueror or MODOK would need to be a moment that significantly affects audiences, but there is not enough background for any of these characters for that to happen. Their deaths would mostly be about furthering Ant-Man's arc and giving him extra motivation to defeat Kang whenever a rematch happens.
Ant-Man Is The Only Character Who Should Die In Quantumania
Paul Rudd's prominent role in the MCU to this point is why Scott Lang is the only MCU hero who should die in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. This is his fifth appearance in the franchise, and each one has been significant. Audiences love Scott Lang and Paul Rudd's interpretation of the character, so Ant-Man's death would be a moment that hits home for viewers and the rest of the characters in Ant-Man 3. It is also worth noting that Cassie became a member of the Young Avengers in the comics after Scott Lang died, so the MCU could follow a similar path.
The other benefit of Scott Lang dying in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is that it would immediately establish Kang the Conqueror as a villain worth fearing. Ant-Man's death proves that he is a threat to every MCU hero and makes him encountering the Avengers in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty more dangerous before it even happens. There is no doubt that audiences and other MCU heroes would have great fear about Kang as Phase 5 begins if Scott Lang dies in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.
