Ever since the first Marvel comic book issues were published, we've seen many iconic characters go on countless thrilling adventures through the years, and that won't stop anytime soon. However, history is a bit different when it comes to live-action adaptations. While the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been around for an impressive 17 years and counting, we've already bid our farewells to beloved heroes over this time.
The stories of Iron Man, Black Widow, Steve Rogers, Quicksilver, Phil Coulson, Wanda Maximoff (allegedly), and many more have officially come to an end. However, that list might grow exponentially as we head into the end of the Multiverse Saga. Avengers: Secret Wars will undoubtedly shake the status quo of the MCU forever, and the current generation of heroes will make space for new blood to take over. However, the farewells might've started a little bit earlier than anticipated, as a beloved hero confirmed he hung up the cape for good.
Michael Douglas retires from acting; likely won't return as Hank Pym in the MCU
Michael Douglas attended the Karlovy Vary Film Festival to celebrate the theatrical re-release of Miloš Forman’s Oscar-winning picture, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Douglas reminisced about the experience of producing his first film 50 years ago, and opened up about what it feels like to be a part of a project so lasting and impactful. However, he closed things out on a bittersweet note by confirming he'll officially retire from acting:
"I have not worked since 2022 purposefully because I realized I had to stop. I had been working pretty hard for almost 60 years, and I did not want to be one of those people who dropped dead on the set. I have no real intentions of going back. I say I’m not retired because if something special came up, I’d go back, but otherwise, no."
Michael Douglas has been a man of many faces over the years, and he even left his mark in the MCU by bringing Hank Pym to life. The "original Ant-Man" has four appearances under his size-changing belt, including a secondary role in the three Ant-Man movies released to date, along with a cameo in Avengers: Endgame. However, this isn't the first time we've heard Douglas talk about the end of his journey as Hank Pym.
During an interview with Entertainment Weekly's The View, Michael Douglas revealed he originally asked Marvel to give a definitive ending to his character during the events of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania:
"This actually was my request for the third one. I said I’d like to have a serious [death], with all these great special effects. There’s got to be some fantastic way where I can shrink to an ant size and explode, whatever it is. I want to use all those effects. But, that was on the last one. Now, I don’t think I’m going to show up."
Unfortunately, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania didn't give Hank Pym a "serious death" as Douglas requested. That means the character's demise or retirement will happen off-screen, ultimately diminishing its impact. Furthermore, it's highly unlikely that we'll see the former superhero make a special appearance in either Avengers: Doomsday or Avengers: Secret Wars — two huge crossovers that are expected to bring many iconic characters together for the definitive end of the Multiverse Saga.
Hank Pym's last MCU appearance might've already taken place, but Scott Lang, Hope van Dyne, and Cassie Lang will carry on his legacy. And who knows? Maybe Marvel is truly planning a big send-off for Michael Douglas' character, and the legendary actor might return for one last ride. It seems unlikely, but it doesn't hurt to hope.
Avengers: Doomsday will be released on Dec. 18, 2026.