The latest Marvel superhero film "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" received its China premiere at Shanghai Disney Resort on Valentine's Day, taking Chinese audiences on a dazzling and thrilling ride while introducing a new powerful villain.

A moviegoer holds tickets for the China premiere of "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" at Shanghai Disney Resort, Feb. 14, 2023. [Photo/China.org.cn]

Directed by Peyton Reed and starring Paul Rudd as Scott Lang and Evangeline Lilly as Hope van Dyne alongside Jonathan Majors, Michelle Pfeiffer, Michael Douglas and Bill Murray, the film kicks off Phase Five of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The movie is the 31st film of the MCU and the sequel to "Ant-Man" (2015) and "Ant-Man and the Wasp" (2018).

In the latest installment, Lang and Van Dyne are transported to the Quantum Realm along with their family where they must face the new supervillain, who may well be behind every evil scheme in the other films of the phase: Kang the Conqueror, played by Jonathan Majors. The film mixes comedy, action as well as dazzling, sometimes bizarre and creepy, visual effects and creatures, taking audiences to a quantum microworld beyond their imagination. 

Phase Five of the MCU is a group of superhero films and television series produced by Marvel Studios based on characters that appear in publications by Marvel Comics. It comprises all the Marvel Studios productions set to be released from 2023 to mid-2024, and the series to be released on Disney+. The films in the phase include "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania," "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3," "The Marvels," "Captain America: New World Order," "Thunderbolts" and "Blade." Phase Five, along with phases four and six, constitutes The Multiverse Saga.

(Left to right) Jonathan Majors, Peyton Reed, Paul Rudd and Kevin Feige speak via video link with audience members at the China premiere of "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania," Shanghai Disney Resort, Feb. 14, 2023. [Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Studios]

Kevin Feige produces every film and serves as executive producer of every series in this phase. During the premiere at Shanghai Disney Resort, Feige spoke to the audience via video link about how pleased he was that "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" could hit Chinese screens, adding that Kang the Conqueror will also play a significant role in the next "Avengers" film: Destin Daniel Cretton's "Avengers: The Kang Dynasty," slated for release in May 2025. As such, the new Ant-Man film is very important as it marks the powerful villain's first appearance, he noted.

"Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" will be released across China in various formats including Imax and Cinity on Feb. 17, the same day the film is released in North America and many other markets. Another Marvel superhero film, "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever," hit Chinese theaters 10 days ago on Feb. 7, grossing nearly 100 million yuan by Thursday. 

Recently, China has announced release dates for a whole host of domestic productions as well as foreign blockbusters. The move aims to resolve the shortage of content and introduce more high-quality films to revive the market and industry, building upon the enthusiasm of Chinese moviegoers that was recently boosted by Spring Festival blockbusters like "The Wandering Earth 2" and "Full River Red."

An Ant-Man figurine stands in front of a billboard for "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" outside the Walt Disney Grand Theatre, Shanghai Disney Resort, Feb. 14, 2023. [Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Studios]

Shanghai Disneyland also announced that its Marvel Universe attraction will be decorated with "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" theme from Feb. 14 to March 17, while the park's nighttime spectacular "Illuminate! A Nighttime Celebration" will continue to showcase Marvel characters via projections on the Enchanted Storybook Castle.

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