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There are a number of problems fans can point to when discussing the weaknesses of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but the one that perhaps seems so glaringly obvious but has been skirted over in the films was the lack of Ant-Man/Giant Man and the Wasp as founders of the Avengers. One could say that the films clearly haven't suffered due to their absence but as the MCU has been about celebrating the legacy of the Marvel heroes (that the company still own the film rights to) the lack of Ant-Man and the Wasp on the team shuffles their own legacy and place in the Marvel Universe down a few pegs. Cap, Thor, Iron Man, and Hulk all benefited in some way due to the exposure given to them by their film appearances (extending too in the comics where Nick Fury in the 616 Universe was replaced by his son because of the huge amount of popularity Sam Jackson's portrayal has brought), and while its yet to be seen just how well the upcoming Ant-Man movie will fare, their lack of acknowledgement so far in the MCU may hurt the deep history that Hank Pym and Janet van Dyne have with the Avengers.

"Age of Ultron" only highlighted that problem, with Joss Whedon making it so that Tony Stark was the creator of Ultron, and not Hank Pym as traditionally presented. On the one hand it followed the arc that had been established all the way back in the first Iron Man film, with Stark finding different ways of protecting mankind without creating weapons. The general ideas were the same, with Stark basing Ultron's brain patterns upon his own. But on the other it further removes the connection that Pym and Janet van Dyne had to the Avengers by once again not having either make an appearance or an off-hand comment related to them in the film. It reminds me of the situation with Beast, as Hank McCoy was seen on a TV screen in X2, played by Kelsey Grammer in X3, and finally allowed to shine properly in First Class. The character may have been missing from the first movie but by X3 it was clear he was an original team member by dialogue and mentions (further confirmed in First Class). Tragically, Pym and Jan don't get that kind of regard. When July's "Ant-Man" movie is released, Pym will be seen, albeit elderly and in a mentor role (hints that he was more of a covert-op hero than loud and flashy in the 1960s) and while there's no Jan cast in the film, their daughter Hope plays a role alongside Paul Rudd's Scott Lang.

Its a sad sort of affairs for two characters who were founders of the team from that very first issue along with Hulk, Iron Man, and Thor, and stayed pretty consistent until around 1966/1967 when they were written out along with Thor and Iron Man (making way for the beginning of the next great Avengers team as Vision, Black Panther, Hawkeye, Quicksilver, Black Widow, and Scarlet Witch would soon take their places), and while Pym's membership would be as erratic as his mindset deteriorated, Wasp remained a consistent Avenger upon rejoining, even leading the team for a while. In fact, for a well rounded look at her personality for those who have never read the comics, I point towards her portrayal in the "Earth's Mightiest Heroes" cartoon from a few years ago. She's slightly flighty, and ditzy, and airheaded, but extremely loyal and never one to back down from a fight.

Hank Pym, despite his mental difficulties later on (first hinted at during his Goliath persona), was equally valuable as the team's super-scientist alongside Stark. In fact, I'd be willing to wager that Pym is likely one of THE smartest people in the Marvel Universe, likely coming in after Reed Richards and possibly tied with Bruce Banner. That he was able to contribute to any situation big or small as Ant-Man or Giant Man points towards him being one of the team's best earliest assets, long before they were a powerful group bursting at the seams with full time members and reservists. A friend of mine theorizes that it is because of the rather unfortunate legacy of Pym's spousal abuse towards Wasp that likely meant their exclusion; the smart fans would probably be wondering when Pym's mind would snap and he'd slap Jan. Who knows if such a thing would've happened if they had been added to the Avengers cast early on.

Description
There are a number of problems fans can point to when discussing the weaknesses of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but the one that perhaps seems so glaringly obvious but has been skirted over in the films was the lack of Ant-Man/Giant Man and the Wasp as founders of the Avengers. One could say that the films clearly haven't suffered due to their absence but as the MCU has been about celebrating the legacy of the Marvel heroes (that the company still own the film rights to) the lack of Ant-Man and the Wasp on the team shuffles their own legacy and place in the Marvel Universe down a few pegs. Cap, Thor, Iron Man, and Hulk all benefited in some way due to the exposure given to them by their film appearances (extending too in the comics where Nick Fury in the 616 Universe was replaced by his son because of the huge amount of popularity Sam Jackson's portrayal has brought), and while its yet to be seen just how well the upcoming Ant-Man movie will fare, their lack of acknowledgement so far in the MCU may hurt the deep history that Hank Pym and Janet van Dyne have with the Avengers.

"Age of Ultron" only highlighted that problem, with Joss Whedon making it so that Tony Stark was the creator of Ultron, and not Hank Pym as traditionally presented. On the one hand it followed the arc that had been established all the way back in the first Iron Man film, with Stark finding different ways of protecting mankind without creating weapons. The general ideas were the same, with Stark basing Ultron's brain patterns upon his own. But on the other it further removes the connection that Pym and Janet van Dyne had to the Avengers by once again not having either make an appearance or an off-hand comment related to them in the film. It reminds me of the situation with Beast, as Hank McCoy was seen on a TV screen in X2, played by Kelsey Grammer in X3, and finally allowed to shine properly in First Class. The character may have been missing from the first movie but by X3 it was clear he was an original team member by dialogue and mentions (further confirmed in First Class). Tragically, Pym and Jan don't get that kind of regard. When July's "Ant-Man" movie is released, Pym will be seen, albeit elderly and in a mentor role (hints that he was more of a covert-op hero than loud and flashy in the 1960s) and while there's no Jan cast in the film, their daughter Hope plays a role alongside Paul Rudd's Scott Lang.

Its a sad sort of affairs for two characters who were founders of the team from that very first issue along with Hulk, Iron Man, and Thor, and stayed pretty consistent until around 1966/1967 when they were written out along with Thor and Iron Man (making way for the beginning of the next great Avengers team as Vision, Black Panther, Hawkeye, Quicksilver, Black Widow, and Scarlet Witch would soon take their places), and while Pym's membership would be as erratic as his mindset deteriorated, Wasp remained a consistent Avenger upon rejoining, even leading the team for a while. In fact, for a well rounded look at her personality for those who have never read the comics, I point towards her portrayal in the "Earth's Mightiest Heroes" cartoon from a few years ago. She's slightly flighty, and ditzy, and airheaded, but extremely loyal and never one to back down from a fight.

Hank Pym, despite his mental difficulties later on (first hinted at during his Goliath persona), was equally valuable as the team's super-scientist alongside Stark. In fact, I'd be willing to wager that Pym is likely one of THE smartest people in the Marvel Universe, likely coming in after Reed Richards and possibly tied with Bruce Banner. That he was able to contribute to any situation big or small as Ant-Man or Giant Man points towards him being one of the team's best earliest assets, long before they were a powerful group bursting at the seams with full time members and reservists. A friend of mine theorizes that it is because of the rather unfortunate legacy of Pym's spousal abuse towards Wasp that likely meant their exclusion; the smart fans would probably be wondering when Pym's mind would snap and he'd slap Jan. Who knows if such a thing would've happened if they had been added to the Avengers cast early on.