Marvel Studios' third MCU series focused on telling a self-contained story about Tom Hiddleston's Loki, but it still managed to lay the foundation for big parts of where the franchise is going next. The debut of the Time Variance Authority, the introduction of Variants, and splitting the MCU multiverse are just a few ways that Loki's ending will ripple across multiple properties.
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Before now, it was unclear if Loki would have repercussions on any other MCU projects. The finale pointed to it having a connection to Jonathan Majors as He Who Remains. The third film in the Ant-Man series will once again star Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly. After watching the franchise play a smaller role in the grand scheme of the MCU, Ant-Man 3 seems destined to change that. Here are all of the ways Loki sets up Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.
Ant-Man 3 Includes Kang the Conqueror
Marvel Studios first announced Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania in 2020. This news came with the confirmation that Peyton Reed would once again direct, with Rudd and Lilly headlining an expected group of returning cast , including Michael Douglas and Michelle Pfeiffer. However, Marvel also confirmed that Jonathan Majors will play Kang the Conqueror in Ant-Man 3. This was previously reported and gave fans a significant reason to be excited about the film. But when Marvel gave the movie a 2023 release date, speculation mounted that Majors' MCU debut could come before.
The Loki finale delivered on the immense speculation by having Majors appear in a substantial role for a single episode. His character is called He Who Remains and is the one who created the TVA and oversaw the protection of the Sacred Timeline. He Who Remains is the last surviving Kang from the previous Multiversal War, but he died by the end of Loki's sixth episode. This won't prevent Majors from appearing in Ant-Man 3, as it actually sets him up to play a completely different variant of Kang.
Loki Teased More Dangerous Kang Variants
He Who Remains might not be who appears in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, but he did deliver a terrifying tease before he died. As one of many variants of Kang, He Who Remains mentioned that he's one of the variants who is closer to being a "good guy" even though he its he's a villain. When Sylvie and Loki don't completely buy this, He Who Remains said, "If you think I'm evil, just wait till you meet my variants." This should be bad news for Scott Lang and Hope van Dyne in Ant-Man 3, as they will presumably encounter one of the more evil Kang Variants. There have been multiple versions of Kang throughout Marvel's comic history, so there is no telling exactly what version of Kang will be in Ant-Man 3. But, Loki doesn't provide much confidence that Scott, Hope, and the rest of the Ant-Man team will get lucky with a more favorable Kang.
The Multiverse Could Explain Cassie Lang Recasting
There is also the chance that Loki could explain why Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania recast Cassie Lang. Scott's young daughter was previously played by Abby Ryder Fortson, but Marvel cast Emma Fuhrmann to play a teenage version of Cassie in Avengers: Endgame. She impressed most viewers and the film's ending left the impression that she'd return for Ant-Man 3. However, Marvel Studios surprised fans with the news that Kathryn Newton would play Cassie Lang in the threequel. Since Newton is a bigger star, it was assumed that this piece of recasting signaled how prominent of a role Cassie will have going forward and that it wouldn't be addressed in the movie itself.
However, Loki opens up the possibility that Kathryn Newton could be a variant of Cassie Lang. There are no plot details know about Ant-Man 3, but this could potentially fit. As the MCU builds towards the Young Avengers, Newton's Cassie could come from another timeline where she is already an established superhero. Perhaps this version of Cassie took on the mantle when Scott disappeared for five years or if he actually died for real. The MCU very well could handle Newton's addition to Ant-Man 3 the same way they did with previously recast MCU characters, but now Loki has created a different possible explanation as well.
How Tom Hiddleston's Loki Can Be In Ant-Man 3
With Loki season one setting up Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, there is a chance that Tom Hiddleston could reprise his role as Loki here too. It is unknown when Loki season 2 will take place in the MCU timeline and how it could relate to when Ant-Man 3 is set. Furthermore, Marvel hasn't announced when Loki season 2 will be released. With Ant-Man 3 confirmed for an early 2023 release date, the new season might not be ready to stream until after that. The order of their releases could impact what type of role Hiddleston could have in Ant-Man 3, but there are a few possibilities.
The Loki finale ended with the reveal that a Kang Variant is ruling the TVA, so this could be the version of Kang to appear in Ant-Man 3. If that is the case, the fact that Hiddleston's Loki is still involved with the TVA could lead to his appearance. He might even try to warn Scott and Hope of the threat that Kang poses. There is also the chance that Hiddleston's Loki will be on the search for the other Kang Variants moving forward. If he finds a way to track them, this could lead Loki to Ant-Man 3's version of Kang.
Is The TVA Based Inside The Quantum Realm?
Loki could also be revealed to have set up Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania if a connection between the TVA and Quantum Realm is confirmed. The TVA operates in an unknown space where time works differently, but they also have access to some form of time travel. The Quantum Realm was previously confirmed to be a source for time travel with Avengers: Endgame, so the TVA could be utilizing that power too. The TVA headquarters could even be the Quantum city featured in Ant-Man and the Wasp. Since producers have already teased more exploration of the Quantum Realm in Ant-Man 3, visiting that city and discovering the TVA that debuted in Loki could be included in that adventure.
