Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania‘s creatives explained why they recast Cassie Lang and introduced Kathryn Newton as the MCU’s new Cassie Lang. Ant-Man 3 director Peyton Reed subtly explained the recast by pointing out that the film’s central focus is time, and a significant part of it is Cassie’s transition into an adult and Scott pondering how much time he’s lost with her.
Why Did Marvel Recast Cassie Lang?
Cassie Lang was first introduced in 2015’s Ant-Man, and Abby Ryder Fortson portrayed her until 2018’s Ant-Man and The Wasp. Avengers: Endgame introduced a brand new actress, Emma Furhmann, to portray Cassie due to the in-universe five-year time jump from Avengers: Infinity War. In the threequel, Kathryn Newton took over the role of Cassie.
Director Peyton Reed admitted that an actress of Newton’s caliber needed to be hired so that they could “really hang with Paul Rudd and sort of not be left in the dust” in the sequel. The actress playing Cassie Lang in Quantumania needed to be “sharp, and quick, and funny,” all traits which Newton possessed, according to Reed. Ant-Man 3 writer Jeff Loveness also said that Newton has a “bit of that sense of humor” and “a bit of that messy quality” from Rudd’s Scott Lang.
Reed offered high praise for Fortson’s portrayal of Cassie, pointing out that she has such “a winning personality.” He also explained why 18-year-old Cassie is a completely different character due to her having “ideas of her own now.”
When Will Kathryn Newton’s Cassie Lang Return?
It is unknown when Kathryn Newton’s Cassie Lang will return to the MCU. Ant-Man 3’s happy ending indicated that the character is prime for a comeback sooner rather than later.
Although recasting is challenging for all the parties involved, Newton’s casting in Ant-Man 3 further solidified that Marvel Studios will do whatever it takes to cast the perfect actor for the role. The father-and-daughter chemistry between Cassie and Scott has been the bread and butter of the Ant-Man movies, and Newton’s ability to “hang” with Paul Rudd in the MCU threequel makes her the perfect fit for the role.
