A new behind-the-scenes book focusing on the production history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe has revealed that Joss Whedon originally wanted Zooey Deschanel to play The Wasp In The Avengers.
The recently released The Story of Marvel Studios: The Making of the Marvel Cinematic Universe by Tara Bennett and Paul Terry that details the expansive and rich history of how Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige and other creatives came together to create the MCU. The book is packed with brand new information and behind-the-scene details, including one key revelation that would have changed the course of the MCU.
In the section of the book that details Joss Whedon’s The Avengers, it was revealed that an original version of the script featured The Wasp as a main character and had Zeke Stane, Jeff Bridges Obadiah’s son, as the villain. The drastic departure from the film we know today originally manifested because it was uncertain if Scarlett Johansson could star as Black Widow due to scheduling conflicts.
Joss Whedon removed Black Widow from the script and put the focus on The Wasp. Producer Jeremy Latcham revealed that Whedon has New Girl star Zooey Deschanel in mind as his Hope Van Dyne.
“It was all about The Wasp. He wanted to cast Zooey Deschanel. [Wasp] was the funniest character in the whole movie, and well-written.”
The Avengers director further broke down how he created a Wasp-centric film that eventually had to be shelved.
“The Wasp happened because there was a short period where it looked like we weren’t going to be able to get Scarlett [due to scheduling conflicts], so I was panicking. I thought, ‘Hold on, we could do The Wasp.’ Then I fell in love with that. But we did get Scarlett, and then I realized I had written this entire movie about The Wasp. Oops. I overcompensated there.”
Evangeline Lily was eventually cast as Hope Van Dyne for 2015’s Ant-Man. Lily later became The Wasp for the film’s sequel, and will soon reprise her role in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.
Evangeline Lily’s The Wasp was last seen in Avengers: Endgame. Here is the official plot synopsis for the Marvel Studios film:
The grave course of events set in motion by Thanos that wiped out half the universe and fractured the Avengers ranks compels the remaining Avengers to take one final stand in Marvel Studios’ grand conclusion to twenty-two films, “Avengers: Endgame.”
Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, Avengers: Endgame stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Don Cheadle, Paul Rudd, Brie Larson, Karen Gillan, Danai Gurira, Benedict Wong, Jon Favreau, Bradley Cooper, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Josh Brolin.
Avengers: Endgame is available on Digital HD, 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD, and streaming on Disney Plus, while Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania will hit theaters on February 17, 2023.
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Source: The Story of Marvel Studios: The Making of the Marvel Cinematic Universe
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