Image via Complex Original
Marvel has created a rich world of superheroes that just keeps getting bigger and bigger, from the members of the Avengers, to the intergalactic outlaws of Guardians of the Galaxy. Still, there are so many more Marvel superheroes and this summer, one of them is getting his own movie. The daring, heist-pulling, incredible shrinking Ant-Man is one of Marvel’s oldest characters, but he’s also one of the most unlikely heroes out there. To prepare yourself for the newest (and smallest) superhero, here are some things you should know before you see Marvel’s Ant-Man:
Scott Lang is Paul Rudd
In the comics, Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) is an electronics engineer who works at Stark International.
Michael Douglas is Hank Pym
Michael Douglas plays Hank Pym, the original Ant-Man and—as the comics have it—one of the founding members of the Avengers in the comics. The Pym in the comics also created Ultron, who reared his terrifying robot head in Avengers: Age of Ultron this summer as Tony Stark’s accidental protégé.
Marvel Universe
But if you’re confused about where Ant-Man fits in the sprawling Marvel film universe—which would be understandable, because wow, is it dense—top Marvel exec Kevin Feige refers to Ant-Man as the “pinnacle and end of Phase Two” for the franchise. Phase Three is all about the cataclysmic events of Captain America: Civil War, which follows a devastating conflict between the Avengers—and yes, Ant-Man will be there.
Falcon
A face familiar to Marvel historians shows up in the new film. Falcon, who first joined the Marvel universe in Captain America: The Winter Soldier as Cap’s best friend and protector of the skies, drops by to size Ant-Man up. All signs point to pithy banter, crucial groundwork for Captain America: Civil War, and a surplus of awesome flying technology.
Bonus Scenes
As always with Marvel movies, you’re going to want to stick around until the very end of the credits for bonus scenes, but don’t bolt the second you see one: there are actually two. Ant-Man’s an overachiever that way.