Tomb Raider actress Hannah John-Kamen has offered up some new intel on Marvel’s Ant-Man and the Wasp and, specifically, her gender-swapped villain.
Early last year, we brought you the news that John-Kamen had clinched the coveted role of Ghost, a cult figure of Marvel Comics whose intellect and innovation was enough to rival Tony Stark. In fact, David Michelinie and Bob Layton’s elusive creation was initially designed to be a villain for the great and powerful Iron Man, before he was later reworked for the Thunderbolts series in time for its “Dark Reign” and “Heroic Age” storylines. And no, you read that right. Ghost was a he.
At least he was until he was adapted for Ant-Man and the Wasp, by which point Marvel and director Peyton Reed flipped expectations on their head. And so, we arrive at a female Ghost, the lead villain of Ant-Man 2 who boasts powers of invisibility and marksmanship, combining to create a figure who Hannah John-Kamen is already deeply invested in.
I always say a character from a comic book is a character from a comic book, and as an actor, you’re lifting it off the page. You’re the one who’s creating and giving it life. Badass, kickass women, let’s keep seeing some more. The reaction has been excitement and anticipation and that’s exactly how I feel. I’m like, ‘Right, let’s see this, let’s do this.’
And we couldn’t agree more. Diversity for diversity’s sake is one thing, but if a particular actress (or actor!) fits the bill and resonates with their on-screen character, there’s no harm in bending the rules in order to switch said character’s genre.
We’ve seen it happen time and time again, so let’s just hope Ant-Man and the Wasp is able to justify its creative decision come July.