Canadian actress Evangeline Lilly, known for roles in Surviving and the Hobbit trilogy, has publicly discussed Marvel Studios’ interest in pursuing a standalone film centered on Hope van Dyne, the superhero Wasp. Lilly spoke about these ideas during the premiere of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantum Mania, sharing that she has heard Marvel executives express a desire to expand Hope’s story beyond the team-up dynamics of the Ant-Man films.
In a later conversation with Variety, Lilly suggested that Hope van Dyne, who first joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2015, remains an underexplored character with potential to carry a film of her own. She spoke about the possibility of delving into the character’s darker, more introspective side and exploring a narrative focused on a female lead who can stand on her own. Lilly stressed her curiosity about what a solo project would reveal about Hope and how it might enrich the broader MCU mythos.
Despite enthusiasm for expansion, Lilly also noted the practical realities of Marvel productions. She acknowledged the long production timelines and the commitment required to bring large-scale films to life and questioned whether Hope would be ready for another major project when the call comes. She described the ritual of weighing the opportunity, taking a moment to breathe, and deciding whether to step back into the demanding world of Marvel, only to be drawn back in again by the excitement of possibility.
Industry observers note that a relatively small share of Marvel content has spotlighted women in lead roles. A Variety analysis highlights that among roughly 60 Marvel films and television projects released or approved to date, around ten have been dedicated primarily to female characters or centered on women, a ratio below 17 percent. This statistic is frequently cited in discussions about gender representation within major comic book franchises and informs ongoing conversations about future casting and story development.
Meanwhile, attention in streaming and production circles has turned to other high-profile superhero projects, including reports that Amazon is developing a noir drama inspired series centered on Spider-Man, signaling continued investor and audience interest in genre storytelling that expands beyond the traditional big-screen model. These developments are part of a broader trend toward diversified character explorations and fresh formats within also the superhero ecosystem, especially in North America where audiences in Canada and the United States respond to new takes on familiar heroes. The conversations around potential solo ventures for characters like Hope van Dyne reflect a wider industry aim to broaden the roster of leading women in superhero storytelling and to test new narrative approaches that resonate with contemporary viewers.