‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’ star Kathryn Newton jokes that Paul Rudd ruined her life

Kathryn Newton believes she is proof that dreams do come true. She always wanted to be a superhero and she finally got her moment when she landed a part in “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania,” but even she “couldn’t have dreamt of a role this fantastic.”

Newton is the newest addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Cassie, daughter of Ant-Man Scott Lang (Paul Rudd). Newton was in Toronto last week for the premiere of the film, which happened to coincide with her birthday, and said she was “really excited to be here on my birthday to talk about this movie that felt like a birthday every day.”

“Quantumania” follows couple Lang and Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) along with Hope’s parents, Janet Van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer) and Hank Pym (Michael Douglas), and Cassie. When Cassie’s curiosity about the Quantum Realm accidentally leads them on a one-way trip to the vast subatomic world, they encounter strange new creatures and a menacing villain (Jonathan Majors).

When Newton met director Peyton Reed for the first time, he told her that, at its core, the film is about a father and daughter reconnecting.

“I just thought it was a really exciting opportunity to see a young person in a huge movie. I started watching Marvel movies when I was eight … So I hope that young people see this movie and relate to Cassie Lang.”

The Florida-born actor felt a sense of connection to Cassie.

“The first time I read the script, I just freaked out because I thought this role was written for me. Jeff Loveness, our writer, just captured the voice of a young person so well. Someone who has a really big heart and trips over herself because having a big heart is amazing and it takes a lot of courage, but it can also get you in a lot of trouble.

“She’s really impatient like me; she’s kind of a mess just like me trying to figure it out. So Peyton Reed and Jeff Loveness asked me if I had any notes or anything I wanted to change about Cassie when I read the script, and I looked at them like they were crazy. I was like, ‘You wrote this for me. It sounds like me, she speaks like me.’ But she’s a lot braver than I am.

“She tries to do something great and help everybody, and it ends up hurting so many people around her,” Newton added. “She thinks she’s doing something to save someone and then it ends up unlocking the Quantum Realm and the biggest Marvel supervillain of all time.”

Working with Rudd was another dream come true for Newton, who was a big fan. “I think I’m the luckiest actor in the Marvel Universe because I got to be a superhero and I got to work with Paul Rudd every day, which just meant I got to smile and laugh all the time.

“He made space for me and encouraged me to take risks, and I couldn’t have asked for a better star to work with.”

Rudd is famously known for appearing to never age. Did Newton ask him about it?

“I told him that he trends on Twitter at least once a day. He was like, ‘Oh, really? What’s Twitter?’ I was like, ‘Everyone thinks that you don’t age.’ He’s like, ‘I know, I really don’t.’ He was the sexiest man alive on People and man, oh man, did we just tease him for months about that … But we love him,” she laughed.

Rudd and Newton did a bit of improv in the film, which surprised Newton.

“I just thought a Marvel movie was going to be very technical and not a lot of time to play. But having the opportunity to play on set just creates chemistry. It creates a freedom and a flow and, whether they use the jokes or they don’t use the jokes, it creates an energy that the audience will definitely feel.”

Newton said the father-daughter relationship at the centre of the film is something everyone can relate to.

“It’s about people making up for lost time. Cassie has been separated from her father for a long time. When something like that happens to a young person, it changes them and I’m really impressed that Cassie chose … to be someone who makes a difference in the world.”

When the 26-year-old signed on for a role in the MCU, she had no expectations because she said she’s learned some things are better than her wildest dreams. “I couldn’t have dreamt of a role this fantastic. The experience, the crew, the cast, my costume, the food were better than my wildest dreams. We filmed it in London, one of my favourite cities.

“All I know is that nothing will ever top this movie, whether I’m lucky enough to be in another Marvel movie, or whatever project I have around the corner will never be as fantastic as this was. It set the bar really high and I jokingly told Paul Rudd he’s ruined my life because I don’t know if anything’s going to be as fun,” she continued.

Newton already has a vision of what she’d like to further explore with her character.

“I’d love to see her make new friends and I’d love to see her home in on her powers. I don’t think she knows the responsibility that comes with being a superhero. So I’m excited for her to make some more mistakes and continue to be a dork, and see what trouble she gets into.”

Newton shared another dream that was specific to Toronto.

“If I’m gonna be honest, it’s a lot to do with Drake. I’m hoping that I see him tonight. Maybe he’ll celebrate my birthday with me and this movie, you never know. I dreamt of being a Marvel superhero my whole life and I’m proof that your dreams do come true. So that’s my next dream is maybe to get to hang out with Drake.”

Marriska Fernandes is a Toronto-based entertainment reporter and film critic. She is a freelance contributor for the Star’s Culture section. Follow her on Twitter: @marrs_fers

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