Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 And Quantumania Have Similar Narrative Beats
After 15 years of movies, it's not surprising that some MCU projects share intended or accidental similarities, but Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania have a particularly surprising number of narrative beats and character archetypes in common.
Ant-Man and Star-Lord in the MCU
Both Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania have their narratives kicked off by secret backstories that one of the main characters tried to keep private (Janet's history with Kang and Rocket's time with the High Evolutionary). Both stories have the team of heroes travel to a new place (the Quantum Realm and Kang's planet/ship). Furthermore, the cosmic setting of GotG 3 and Quantumania's Quantum Realm look strikingly similar.
Kang and the High Evolutionary in the MCU
Both movies feature a secondary villain undergoing a change of heart with a single conversation. MODOK changes sides after Cassie's 'Don't be a dick' speech and Adam is moved by 'Everyone deserves a second chance.' Moreover, both of these antagonists are colored pure gold. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3's ending delivers a fake-out Star-Lord death, and Quantumania does the same with Scott Lang. Despite predictions that both movies would kill at least one main character, neither did. The main villains, too, have a lot in common.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 Cast
Kang The Conqueror And The High Evolutionary Have A Lot In Common
At first glance, Quantumania's Kang the Conqueror and GotG 3's High Evolutionary don't seem to have much in common, but they're actually quite similar. In terms of demeanor, both present themselves with quiet confidence but quickly give in to fits of rage when things start to not go their way. Furthermore, both seem to get telekinetic-like superpowers from advanced suits and futuristic technology but are powerless without them. Both of those suits also happen to be either fully or largely purple.
Guardians of the Galaxy 3 Rocket Lylla Retcon
Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 Works Well Because It Brings Closure
Though GotG 3 and Quantumania are both the third movies in their respective franchises, one brings its story to a close while the other feels like a prelude for future movies. Though Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 ends by promising 'The Legendary Star-Lord Will Return,' every member of the team has a satisfying ending. The same can't be said for Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, which leaves the fate of Kang, his promised disaster, and almost everything else a bit up in the air. Though interconnectivity is a selling point of the MCU, the franchise must also embrace tight storytelling with actual (even if temporary) closure.
Scott Lang at the end of Ant-Man and the Wasp Quantumania
