One of the biggest films on the horizon is Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. The movie will feature the return of Paul Rudd's Scott Lang and Evangeline Lilly's Hope Van Dyne as the size-changing superhero duo.
The threequel will feature the official introduction of Jonathan Majors' Kang the Conqueror, who is poised to become the MCU's next big bad—like, Thanos level bad.
Out of the two leads of the Ant-Man and the Wasp franchise, Lilly's Wasp has had the lesser amount of time to shine. Her character hasn't had as many impactful moments as other title heroes in the MCU; her Captain America callback and a few short action sequences are perhaps her most memorable.
Audiences really don't know that much about the character, something even the actor behind the character can relate to.
Evangeline Lilly Has No Hope
In a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Evangeline Lilly, who plays Hope Van Dyne in the MCU, was asked if she felt like she knew Hope as well as her Lost character, Kate, after filming four MCU projects. Her response?
"No," says the actor, who admits that she "wish[es] [she] could say otherwise:"
Interviewer: "You played Kate Austen for six consecutive years, and you started playing Hope van Dyne seven years ago. Even though you spent more time as Kate, do you feel like you know Hope just as well at this point?"
Lilly: "No. (Laughs.) Hope is an odd enigma for me. I wish I could say otherwise because I want to honor her; I want to honor every character I ever play. But the truth is that I find it harder to know and understand Hope than any other character I’ve ever played before."
As for the character's next outing, Lilly mentioned that they are "just over halfway through" the production of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. The film seems like it could be a huge turning point for the character, with the actor admitting that she had "a kind of eureka moment:"
"We’re just a little over halfway through. And I will say that after I read the script of the film, I did have a kind of eureka moment; I said to Peyton [Reed], “Oh my God, I think I finally get her.” (Laughs.) Three or four films in, I thought, “I think I get it now.” So I’m hoping that when we come to wrap and when I see the movie, I’m going to know the difference. But I don’t think anyone else will. I think I’m a good bluffer. That’s what I do for a living. But I know the difference and I’m hopeful that in this one, I’ll feel like I can watch it and go, “Yeah, you had a better handle on her in this one than you ever have before.” That’s my goal, anyway. That’s my hope."
Understanding the MCU's Wasp
It's a bit disheartening to learn that an actress playing a big-time MCU hero didn't quite understand the person she was embodying. It's not Lilly's fault, of course, but more so in the writing and direction of Hope Van Dyne.
It's not surprising, however, given how little time the Wasp has had to shine. If what the actor says is true, then it could mean the character will have a far larger impact, and stronger direction, in Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania; something which is great for everyone.
Sadly, fans will have to wait until February 17, 2023, to see what is in store for the Wasp. It's going to be epic, that much is for sure. After all, the movie is the real introduction of Kang—there's no way it won't be amazing.
