Evangeline Lilly’s Exit From MCU Opens the Door For Another Actor Who Almost Played Wasp in First Ant-Man Movie

Evangeline Lilly’s exit could bring back Joss Whedon’s choice of actress in the Wasp role in The Avengers.

Evangeline Lilly is now a retired actress, a desire she first shared on the sets of Lost more than a decade back. Lilly stepping down from the film industry could also mean that she’s no longer available for the role of Hope van Dyne in the MCU. While the future of the character is currently undecided in the MCU, Lilly’s retirement could open doors for another actress.

New Girl star Zooey Deschanel was in consideration for the role of the Wasp in Joss Whedon’s The Avengers. She was supposed to appear as Janet van Dyne and reprise her role in the first Ant-Man movie. While her role didn’t happen at the time, now could be a good opportunity for Deschanel.

Evangeline Lilly’s Retirement Paves the Way For Zooey Deschanel As The Wasp In The MCU

Evangeline Lilly has announced her retirement/hiatus from acting through her Instagram page. Lilly’s Hope would no longer be a part of the MCU. However, if the makers really want to bring the Wasp back, they could always recast the role. They don’t even need to go far in search of an actress, because Joss Whedon may have done that part for them.

During the filming of The Avengers, Whedon was doubtful about bringing Scarlett Johansson for the film due to her tight schedule. He instead wrote another major female character and one of the founding members of the Avengers, Janet van Dyne aka the Wasp.

According to The Story of Marvel Studios: The Making of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Whedon was interested in casting Zooey Deschanel, who was fresh off her success in 500 Days of Summer. However, Johansson returned and Whedon had to reduce the female roles in the movie due to pressure from the studio. Deschanel’s potential role was eventually scrapped.

She also essentially lost her chance to star opposite Paul Rudd in the first Ant-Man movie, which could’ve had a different storyline. While she couldn’t play Janet’s Wasp, the Bridge to Terabithia actress now has the opportunity to fill Evangeline Lilly’s shoes as Hope. Deschanel and Rudd had earlier worked together in the film, Our Idiot Brother.

If Marvel ever decides to go back to Deschanel for a role, it would make many fans happy. The Happening actress is on cloud nine as her wedding bells will soon be ringing. She and her fiancé, Jonathan Scott, are busy planning a “nice and intimate” ceremony (via The Kelly Clarkson Show).

Why Is Evangeline Lilly Stepping Down From Her Successful Career?

Evangeline Lilly shared via Instagram that she was leaving her career path as an actress to “step into [her] dharma”. She shared that retiring from a career that has been providing her “wealth and fame” was scary but added that the “dharma” could replace the fear with “fulfillment”.

Lilly appears to be “ready” and “happy” to embrace a spiritual life. She also added that her retirement might not be permanent. The Lord of the Rings actress shared in the Instagram post:

Stepping away from what seems like the obvious choice (wealth and fame) can feel scary at times, but stepping into your dharma replaces the fear with fulfillment. I might return to Hollywood one day, but, for now, this is where I belong. A new season has arrived, and I AM READY…and I AM HAPPY.

Her post also included a video from the set of Lost, where she answers a question about her life in the future after 10 years. She shared that she saw herself as a retired actress having a family and influencing people’s lives.

Ant-Man, The Avengers, and other Marvel movies are now available for streaming on Disney+.