If the Marvel Cinematic Universe‘s Phase Four was divisive table dressing, then Phase Five looks to be our first helping of the Multiverse Saga’s entire ethos. With Kang preparing to make a terrifying, destructive impression at the expense of what will probably be Scott Lang’s overall vitality, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is sure to pack theaters like never before.
It’s not just Kang that will be reminding us what the Multiverse Saga is all about; Quantumania will mark the return of a major location in the MCU’s mythology – the Quantum Realm. The titular Avenger has been in and out of this bizarre world throughout his years, but it looks like it’s the primary setting this time around. Appropriately enough, too, considering it combines the best parts of familiarity and mystery to make for the perfect springboard into the Multiverse Saga.
In an interview with Marvel.com, Quantumania writer Jeff Loveness divulged the nuances of fleshing out the Quantum Realm in a way that made it feel separate from more domestic locations, such as Wakanda and Talokan, while also ensuring that it completed the necessary task of reflecting the multiverse as a whole, and served as the perfect place to introduce a character like Kang, whose abilities are rooted in the manipulation of time and space.
“We really wanted to build it from the ground up and we thought how do we make this different from just outer space, how do we make this different from underwater like Namor’s kingdom Talokan? We came up with [the idea] that basically it’s like the basement of the Multiverse. It’s this connected limbo outside of space and time.”
The Quantum Realm, of course, will be just one piece of the puzzle as far as Ant-Man’s plight is concerned. As we approach the film’s release date, the trailers and teasers don’t seem to be getting any less ominous, and though it would be foolish to assume that everyone is getting out alive in the presence of Kang, the idea of having to prepare for Scott Lang’s demise is not one we’re ready to entertain just yet, or ever.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania will release to theaters on Feb. 17.