Avengers: Doomsday may actually follow through with this bit – and if done right, it could be one of the most satisfying comedic payoffs in the Multiverse Saga.
Captain America: Brave New World introduced several new players to the MCU timeline’s street-level roster, but Danny Ramirez’s Joaquin Torres is one of the most significant. Taking over the Falcon mantle from Sam Wilson, Joaquin serves as a loyal ally with a light comedic touch. As Marvel Studios continues to find small but meaningful ways to connect its heroes, Avengers: Doomsday is shaping up to be the perfect place to bring that thread full circle.
Falcon's Ant-Man Joke in Captain America: Brave New World Explained
Joaquin Torres Joked About Meeting Scott Lang
Throughout Captain America: Brave New World, Joaquin Torres repeatedly expresses his enthusiasm to Sam Wilson about Ant-Man. This is likely a callback to Ant-Man (2015), where Sam fought Scott Lang at the Avengers facility – and lost. The comedic history between Sam and Scott is now ed down to Joaquin, who brings it up to Sam only to be hilariously shut down. At one point, when Joaquin tries to tell Sam he’s always idolized him as a hero, Sam initially interrupts with, “Don’t say Ant-Man.”
It’s a charming character moment that reflects how Scott Lang has become a pop culture icon within the MCU’s continuity. Ms. Marvel made several references to Ant-Man and his public popularity, with graffitied murals and even a podcast appearance. Scott had previously also written an autobiography (available in real life), cementing him as the most celebrity-like surviving Avenger.
Joaquin Torres/Falcon Will Finally Meet Ant-Man In Avengers: Doomsday
Paul Rudd And Danny Ramirez Are Confirmed For Avengers: Doomsday
The Avengers: Doomsday promises a massive ensemble, and both Paul Rudd and Danny Ramirez are confirmed to be returning as Ant-Man and Falcon, respectively. With so many characters involved, including multiverse variants and cosmic-level threats, it might be easy for a running gag like this to fall by the wayside. However, Marvel has a history of sneaking in character payoffs amid the chaos.
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The opportunity for Joaquin and Scott to finally meet, even if just briefly, would be a fun reward for audiences who saw Brave New World. It also aligns with how Marvel uses cross-movie character beats to add cohesion across its sprawling universe. A brief exchange where Joaquin gets to fanboy over Scott (especially at the ire of Sam’s Captain America) could land as one of the film’s lighter moments amidst the high-stakes action. Plus, Paul Rudd’s comedic timing and easygoing charm make him the ideal scene partner for such a gag.
Falcon & Ant-Man Could Be Part Of Sam's Avengers Team
Sam Wilson Is Assembling His Avengers Team
Beyond the joke, there’s a functional reason why Ant-Man and the new Falcon could be spending more time together: they’re likely both on the new Avengers roster. Sam Wilson’s Captain America began gathering his team at the end of Brave New World, and the post-credits scene in Thunderbolts* confirmed it will be in place for Doomsday. Joaquin is essentially Cap’s right-hand man as the new Falcon, with Scott Lang being another logical choice for a returning member.
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Ant-Man was first recruited into the Avengers by Sam Wilson in Captain America: Civil War. He subsequently fought alongside Sam as part of Team Cap in the airport battle. He later played a pivotal role in Avengers: Endgame, helping spark the Time Heist through his knowledge of the Quantum Realm and graduation into a fully fledged Avenger.
While Avengers: Doomsday will undoubtedly feature cosmic heavy-hitters and multiversal shenanigans, it’s also expected to bring Earth’s mightiest heroes back to their core dynamic: a team of different personalities trying to work together. Ant-Man brings heart and humor, while Falcon brings energy and loyalty – and seeing these two finally interact could serve both the plot and the character arcs in an organic way. What began as a simple running gag in Captain America: Brave New World could end up being a memorable MCU moment in its own right after Avengers: Doomsday.
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Avengers: Doomsday
Cast
Thor
Vanessa KirbySue Storm / Invisible Woman
Johnny Storm / Human Torch
Ebon Moss-BachrachBen Grimm / The Thing
Avengers: Doomsday is the fifth Avengers film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and will bring together heroes, new and old, to face off against Victor von Doom - played by the returning Robert Downey Jr.. Avengers 5 will also mark the beginning of phase 6 of the MCU.
- Main Genre
- Superhero
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Captain America: Brave New World
4/10- Release Date
- February 14, 2025
- Runtime
- 118 minutes
- Director
- Julius Onah
Cast
Sam Wilson / Captain America
Thaddeus 'Thunderbolt' Ross / Red Hulk
WHERE TO WATCH
StreamingRENTBUYCaptain America: Brave New World (formerly titled New World Order) marks Sam Wilson's first MCU big-screen appearance as Steve Rogers' successor after receiving the suit and shield in Phase 4's The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Anthony Mackie returns as the titular Avenger alongside Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres, Carl Lumby as Isaiah Bradley, and Tim Blake Nelson as The Incredible Hulk's former ally Samuel Sterns. Harrison Ford makes his MCU debut replacing the late William Hurt as Thaddeus Ross.
After meeting President Thaddeus Ross, Sam is caught in a global crisis. He must expose the mastermind behind a sinister plot before the world descends into turmoil. Captain America: Brave New World marks the big-screen debut of Sam Wilson as Captain America, and Harrison Ford makes his MCU debut, replacing the late William Hurt as Thaddeus Ross.- Writers
- Dalan Musson, Malcolm Spellman
- Main Genre
- Superhero
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