The following 'Ant-Man & # 39; highlights female characters

LOS ANGELES (AP) – The "Ant-Man" sequel may be about tiny superheroes , but the film makes a big affirmation on women's empowerment by starring The Wasp of Evangeline Lilly not only in the title, but giving it greater involvement in the sprawling Marvel franchise [19659003] "Ant-Man and The Wasp", the 20th film in the Marvel film universe that includes "Black Panther", "Iron Man" and "Avengers: Infinity War", is the first in the series to include a female character in a title role. In the comics "Ant-Man" and "Avengers", after years of anticipation for a Marvel superhero, Scarlett Johansson has expressed his desire to see his character, Black Widow, get an independent film, but Marvel Studios has mostly preserved in his films "Avengers".

"You know, I asked myself the same thing:" Do we make a mountain from a molehill? "Lilly said in a recent interview when he was told asked to appear in the title of a Marvel film. She said after looking more closely, "" No, in fact, it's a big deal, and it's time. "

The film is the sequel to" Ant-Man "of 2015, which introduced Paul Rudd as a thief enlisted by Michael Douglas's Hank Pym to become a benefactor." The original has reported more than $ 180 million in North America and $ 500 million in global box office The sequel is Marvel Films' third release this year, but it largely avoids developments in the blockbuster "Avengers: Infinity War."

The Wasp was a cartoon favorite of director Peyton Reed, who teased his appearance in the future Marvel films with a cameo of his super-suit at the end of "Ant-Man."

He said that it was important that The Wasp be a fully trained hero and not bound by stereotypes.

"I worked very closely with Evangeline, and we talked about it:" Now, let's have a chance to make a completely trained hero, and we want her to be as d as im- possible as possible. " And we do not want her to be a hero who's always glamorous We wanted her to be a little sweaty and we want her, like, when that headset comes off, her hair is in a ponytail, because that's the practical thing you would do ", said Reed 19659003] Lilly's role is not the only important female character in the film Hannah John-Kamen embodies Ghost, a villain who seeks to sow discord among powerful institutions, in a role that was first written for a man

"It's amazing, as a woman, to play a character so strong … "Yes, it's a progression," said John-Kamen, who is in his biggest role after playing in the Canadian science fiction series "Killjoys" and having small roles in "Ready Player One" and "Tomb Raider. "

" There is so much more going on in this film that represents female energy, which represents women's stories, which represents women's struggle and which represents female power, "said Lilly. film, I am very proud to say that I recognize the authentic feminine power in that it is powerful to be vulnerable, powerful to be elegant, powerful to be graceful and generous, kind and tolerant and compbadionate and generous …

Marvel's first film, based solely on a female superhero, will be from the 1990s, Captain Marvel, who plays Brie Larson in the title role and is scheduled for release next year. 19659003] "Ant-Man and The Wasp" is Marvel's first film to come out after the "Infinity War" of April, which upset the franchise and set up a fourth movie "Avengers" that will be released in April. Next summer.

Actors of A nt-Man and The Wasp keep all the secrets of this film closely watched. In a recent interview, Rudd began answering a question about the role of his character in Marvels' films. "A funny story, because, you know, in" Avengers 4, "he says, before pretending to be banged around with a dart and falling out of his chair.

Douglas said before his first Comic-Con panel about the original "Ant-Man", he underwent confidentiality testing – and thought that he might have to donate blood – to prove that he could keep spoiling the secrets of this film.While he thought it was a little too much at the time, Douglas says that he grew to appreciate what Marvel Films did and the care they take to avoid spoilers for fans.

"Marvel did this incredible job of creating buzz just for people Douglas says," We do not want to mess things up for people, there are people hired to try to find solutions, "said Rudd. "It's an incredible and intense thing to be part of."