It was reported over a year ago that comedy television and comic book writer Jeff Loveness would be penning the script for the Ant-Man and the Wasp sequel.
Loveness is most well known for being a writer for Rick and Morty, but he's actually quite familiar with Marvel, having written several comics for the company.
Loveness was responsible for penning the return of Richard Rider, a.k.a the original Nova, back into Marvel Comics after being dead for decades. While it was prematurely canceled, it was praised by critics and fans for honoring the return of a beloved character, tugging at hearts, and being incredibly funny.
The day the newest season of Rick and Morty premiered, Loveness had a fun back-and-forth with his boss on Twitter.
MR. NIMBUS CONTROLS THE MCU
On Twitter, writer Jeff Loveness celebrated the newest season premiere of Rick and Morty, posting that "I wrote tonight's episode" and mentioned that the episode is "all that I am." It was comprised of: "90's X-Men," "Frasier," "A horny ocean Emperor," and "The way we fail our mothers."
An hour later, Loveness thanked everyone for watching the premiere on YouTube and said that, "I shall continue these themes in Ant-Man 3."
Elating fans, director Peyton Reed chimed in, asking the writer, "Jeff, did you put Mr. Nimbus in QUANTUMANIA again?"
Loveness responded that "He's integral to the plot, I swear."
Satisfied, Reed finished the exchange, saying "Fine. Just don’t be late to your screen test tomorrow."
INSPIRATIONS FOR ANT-MAN SEQUEL
To give context for those unfortunate enough not to see the Season 5 premiere of Rick and Morty, Mr. Nimbus is a "nemesis" of Rick's who appears in his life again after Rick violated a treaty with him with his ship landing in the ocean. Nimbus is a very obvious Expy of Namor the Submariner from Marvel Comics, not only due to his inflated ego but his "sex-positive" attitude.
Obviously, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantiumania won't host the sexy Mr. Nimbus who debuted in the newest episode of Rick and Morty, but it's likely that Loveness could be drawing from the 90s era of Marvel Comics. Growing up, Loveness no doubt read some stories that involved Scott Lang, who was introduced in 1979 as the newest incarnation of Ant-Man.
Rick and Morty as a show deals with various science-fiction and fantasy concepts and flips them on their heads, ranging from time-travel, interdimensional travel, and alternate-realities. Loveness will undoubtedly apply this to the upcoming Ant-Man threequel, especially when it involves one of Marvel's most convoluted villains, Kang the Conqueror.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is currently scheduled to release in theaters on February 17, 2023.
