While Marvel's Ant-Man franchise has largely been considered a light-hearted palette cleanser, having followed films like Avengers: Age of Ultron and Avengers: Infinity War, the events of both Ant-Man and the Ant-Man and the Wasp have played surprisingly significant roles within the MCU.
Now that the franchise's third installment Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is confirmed to star Loki's Jonathon Majors as the time-traveling villain, Kang, Paul Rudd's threequel looks to do more of the same in 2023.
Now that the film's shoot is well underway, Marvel fans are learning more about Ant-Man 3's all-star cast, including a name familiar to theater-going audiences but new to that of the MCU.
Bill Murray Joining the MCU?
A new cast listing on Mandy.com, via the Cosmic Circus, showed that a photo double for Ghostbusters and Groundhog Day star, Bill Murray, has been cast for the production of "Dust Bunny" - the working title for Marvel's Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.
While there is no information about Murray's potential role in the film, he will join the ranks of not only Jonathan Majors, but also Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Corey Stoll, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Michael Douglas in their previous roles for the franchise.
He also joins fellow MCU newcomer Kathyrn Newton as Scott's daughter, Cassie Lang.
Bill Murray & Paul Rudd Vs. Kang the Conqueror?
Since Bill Murray's involvement hasn't been confirmed by the actor or Marvel Studios just yet, the odds suggest that his role will be that of a cameo, joining the likes of Matt Damon and Sam Neil in Thor: Ragnarok or someone like Ken Jeong in Avengers: Endgame.
Even so, it's certainly within the realm of possibility that Murray lends his talents to a larger role. After all, Marvel Studios is no stranger to Hollywood icons, as evidenced by Ant-Man's own Michael Douglas and Michelle Pfeiffer.
Undoubtedly, a comedic exchange between Murray and Paul Rudd would elevate Ant-Man's brand of humor to new heights. Honestly, who wouldn't want to see Murray react to literally anything going on within the MCU?
Also, it's worth noting that one of Murray's Groundhog Day film used a time loop as a core plot point, and time just happens to be the main theme of Marvel's current Phase 4 as well as Kang the Conqueror's forte.
In addition, Ant-Man 3 director Peyton Reed appears to be a fan of Murray, having posted an autographed photo of the actor from a Groundhog Day scene on Twitter earlier this year, while also referencing his prior Marvel connections.
While Bill Murray's level of involvement and his film's potential influences on Quantumania are unknown, news of Murray's MCU debut is just one of the many things Marvel fans can look forward to when Ant-Man 3 arrives in theaters in early 2023.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is set to release on February 17, 2023.
