Earlier this month, Marvel officially placed an Ant-Man sequel on its Phase 3 schedule and gave the Wasp co-headliner status in Ant-Man and the Wasp. Barely two weeks later, the project may have a director lined up.

Ant-Man director Peyton Reed is reportedly in negotiations to return for Ant-Man and the Wasp. Reed was a last minute replacement for original Ant-Man director Edgar Wright, who dropped out of the project over creative differences with Marvel Studios shortly before the film officially began production. Reed’s Ant-Man proved to be a hit for Marvel, and it’s no surprise that the studio wants him back for the sequel. Previously, Reed directed Bring It On, Down with Love, The Break-Up, and Yes Man.

Once the director is in place, a screenwriter for Ant-Man and the Wasp will be the next step in the process. Both Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly are expected to reprise their roles as Scott Lang and Hope van Dyne, and Michael Douglas has also expressed his willingness to return as Hank Pym. Given the title of the movie, there’s also a very good chance that Janet van Dyne, the original Wasp, will appear in some capacity, either in flashbacks or in a rescue mission to the Quantum Realm.

Rudd’s Ant-Man will next appear in Captain America: Civil War, which may lay the groundwork for Scott Lang to eventually join the Avengers in the two-part Infinity War movie. Presumably, Lilly’s character will also show up in the upcoming Avengers sequels to finally bring Wasp into the fold as well.

Ant-Man and the Wasp will be released on July 6, 2018.

Marvel fans, are you happy to hear that Reed appears to be coming back for Ant-Man and the Wasp? Who should be the villain of the Ant-Man sequel? Shrink down and leave a comment below!

Image Credit: Marvel Studios