With Avengers: Doomsday beginning production soon, speculation as to which MCU mainstays will return is at an all-time high. Robert Downey Jr., known, among many things, for playing Iron Man/Tony Stark in the MCU, is slated to appear, but he will instead be playing the villainous Victor von Doom/Doctor Doom.

Otherwise, the cast is rumored to include returning stars Chris Evans, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, and Tom Holland, as well as the casts of the upcoming films The Fantastic Four: First Steps and Thunderbolts*. Worth noting, though, is that it is unknown which characters will return from Thunderbolts*, as multiple are suspected to die during the film. As for the past Avengers and other MCU heroes, it’s uncertain who exactly will round out the team’s new roster.

Speaking with Collider, Ant-Man star Paul Rudd offered a vague answer as to whether he will return for Avengers: Doomsday or its sequel, Avengers: Secret Wars. Both films are directed by Avengers: Endgame directors, Joe and Anthony Russo, with whom Rudd has collaborated. The actor kept his cards close to his chest about any future Ant-Man appearances:

“As far as the Russos, they have my number. They know where I’m at, and that’s all I can say. I don’t really know how to play these things.”

However, when asked about Avengers: Doomsday starting production in London, Rudd cheekily stated: “Isn’t everyone traveling to London soon now in this business?“

What Paul Rudd’s Avengers Comments Mean

Paul Rudd Is Playing Dumb

One thing about Rudd’s answer is clear: he’s deflecting. At this stage, Marvel is being secretive about what team will ᴀssemble against Doctor Doom in the upcoming Avengers duology. As a major character with a full trilogy of films, Ant-Man is bound to return, especially with his daughter, Cᴀssie Lang, becoming a likely candidate for the rumored Young Avengers project. Notably, Rudd is consistent in teasing his return, telling The Hollywood Reporter: “I feel like I should never be too far from the suit in case they call, but you never know.“

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Even if Rudd knows when audiences will see Scott Lang next, he may not be at liberty to say. Despite speculation that his contract with Marvel is up, the actor’s refusal to deny any appearance could be a confirmation.

Our Take On Paul Rudd’s Avengers Comments

Ant-Man Will Likely Return

Though the MCU has all but abandoned the Kang the Conquerer storyline established in Loki and Ant-Man: Quantumania, the Ant-Man team still has valuable knowledge about the multiverse and how the quantum realm interacts with parallel universes. As a result, it seems likely that Scott and Cᴀssie will both make future MCU appearances. Between the character’s status as an Avenger and knowledge of the multiverse, Rudd’s Ant-Man will probably make his return in either Avengers: Doomsday or Avengers: Secret Wars.

Upcoming MCU Movies

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  Thunderbolts*

  Release Date

  
  May 2, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  The Fantastic Four: First Steps

  Release Date

  
  July 25, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Avengers: Doomsday (2026)

  
  
  
  
  

  
  

  
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  MCU Spider-Man 4

  Release Date

  
  July 24, 2026
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Avengers: Secret Wars

  Release Date

  
  May 7, 2027
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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