Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’s riveting narrative has sparked a flurry of discussions among Marvel fans. Central to these debates is thecharacter of Kang the Conqueror, a time-traveling entity from the future who is trapped in the Quantum Realm. While the movie concluded with Kang’s defeat, there’s a compelling case to be made that the storyline could have taken a more intriguing turn had Kang defeated Ant-Man and escaped the Quantum Realm.

WhileAnt-Man and the Wasp: Quantumaniaprovided viewers with an entertaining CGI-filled adventure, Kang’s defeat and continued entrapment in the Quantum Realm might have been a missed opportunity for the expansion of the MCU’s narrative. His escape could have set the stage for complex storylines, character development, and made real, lasting consequences for our beloved heroes. As we move forward into MCU Phase 5, one thing is for sure: audiences want to see more exploration of this immenselycomplex and unique villain.

Loki season 2 Jonathan Majors Kang coming through a portal

Would Have Added Complexity and Layers

Firstly, Kang’s successful escape would have added a new layer of complexity to the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s current narrative arc. As a character, Kang is a multifaceted villain with a deep backstory that is steeped in time travel and alternate realities. His escape would have set the stage for an exploration of these themes in future MCU films, providing audiences with a richer, more nuanced narrative experience.

Related:Kang the Conqueror Backstory Was Reportedly Cut From Ant-Man 3

Changing the MCU Formula

Moreover, Kang’s escape could have served as a catalyst for the MCU’s evolution. Despite the devastating events ofAvengers: Endgame, the MCU has largely stuck to its formula of heroes triumphing over villains. If Kang had escaped, it would have signaled a departure from this formula, adding an element of unpredictability that could keep audiences guessing and engaged.

Developing The Conqueror

Additionally, Kang’s character is ripe for development. His intelligence, cunning, and ability to manipulate time make him one of themost formidable foesthe MCU has ever seen. By allowing Kang to escape, the MCU could have showcased these traits further, building him into a more prominent antagonist. This would have allowed for more in-depth character studies, both of Kang and of the heroes who have to rise to this new challenge.

Revving Up the Ant-Man Franchise

Furthermore, having Kang escape would have had significant implications for theAnt-Manfranchise. Scott Lang and Hope van Dyne are known for their light-hearted humor and easy-going charm. Pitting them against Kang in a prolonged narrative arc could have created a compelling contrast between the levity of Ant-Man and Wasp and the high-stakes drama presented by Kang’s threat. This contrast could have led todynamic character growth, pushing Scott and Hope to new limits and giving them a chance to truly demonstrate their heroism.

Related:MCU: Will Audiences Still Care About the Avengers by the Time Kang Dynasty and Secret Wars Release?

Jonathan Majors as Kang the Conqueror in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

Further Exploration of The Quantum Realm

The Quantum Realmitself also presents an avenue for exploration. If Kang had escaped, it would have emphasized the Quantum Realm’s significance in the MCU. It’s a relatively unexplored territory with infinite potential for storylines involving time travel, alternate realities, and even new characters or civilizations. Kang’s escape could have marked the beginning of a deeper exploration of this realm, opening up new avenues for the MCU’s narrative expansion.

Real Consequences

Finally, the overarching theme of consequences would have been more pronounced if Kang had managed to escape. The MCU heroes' actions often come with repercussions, and Kang’s escape could have served as a stark reminder of this. It would have shown that even heroes can make mistakes and that these mistakes can lead to dire outcomes. Furthermore,Kang could have killed Ant-Man. This would have added a realistic touch to the superhero genre, grounding it in the idea that actions have serious and lasting consequences.

Kang the Conqueror in Ant-Man and the Wasp Quantumania

Ant-Man

Ant-Man and the Wasp 3’s Quantum Realm.