Avengers: Doomsday just lost its smallest hero, or, at least, the older version of Ant-Man. Michael Douglas, who starred in all three Ant-Man movies as Hank Pym, the creator of the Pym Particle and father of Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly), was the latest MCU veteran to be asked about potentially returning for Avengers: Doomsday, and the actor had an unfortunate response. The cast for Avengers: Doomsday is gigantic, even bigger than the super-sized Ant-Man in Avengers: Endgame. But, there isn’t room in that oversized cast for Hank Pym.
Michael Douglas recently sat down with Deadline to discuss One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’s 50th anniversary and his MCU future. After reflecting on the legacy of Milos Forman’s seminal film, the reporter couldn’t help but throw in a quick Avengers: Doomsday question, asking whether Douglas plans on returning to the MCU anytime soon. To paraphrase the old Captain America (Chris Evans) at the end of Endgame, Michael Douglas doesn’t think he will.

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“I don’t think so,” Michael Douglas said. “I had the experience, and I was excited to do it. I’d never done a green screen picture before.” In fact, it’s not just the MCU that Michael Douglas is ruling out, as the Hollywood vet appears to be done with acting altogether. “I did The Kominsky Method because I wanted to work with Chuck Lorre and try some comedy,” he continued. “But I’m enjoying my hiatus and enjoying my life. It was overwhelming running the production company and acting at the same time.” The actor said he’s not 100% finished with appearing in front of the camera, but it would take the right project to bring him back:

“Yes, if something good comes up that I really like. But I don’t feel a burning desire. I’m still producing. I still love bringing people together.”

Ant-Man Will Return in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Michael Douglas might be done with the MCU, but Ant-Man’s future is certain (unless the character dies in the next movie). Paul Rudd will reprise his role as Scott Lang, a.k.a. Ant-Man, in Avengers: Doomsday. His name was revealed as part of Marvel Studios’ lengthy casting announcement video. In true Ant-Man fashion, Paul Rudd was given a tiny fold-out chair alongside his castmates’ normal-sized chairs.
Production on Avengers: Endgame began in early 2025. So far, just over 20 actors have been revealed as part of the cast. For any normal film, that’s more than enough (especially considering they’re all A-listers). But Avengers: Doomsday has barely scratched the surface of its gargantuan cast. The full scale of Doomsday’s cast is unclear, but another announcement video is expected to be released in the coming months.
However, the full cast was almost leaked by a TikToker. You’d think security on one of the most hotly-anticipated movies in the coming years would be extremely tight. But it wasn’t enough to stop one fan from breaking onto the set at Pinewood studios, and posting their adventure on social media.
Source: Deadline