The MCU Completely Wastes Walton Goggins in Ant-Man and the Wasp

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This character actor is one of those faces you recognize, even if you can’t always place where you’ve seen him before. He’s a seasoned professional who’s been working in Hollywood for years, and recently gained even more attention with shows like The White Lotus and Fallout. He’s also appeared in smaller parts in major films, including a popular Marvel movie from 2018.

Walton Goggins unexpectedly appeared in the second Ant-Man movie, which came out shortly after the huge success of Avengers: Infinity War in 2018. Looking back, the film didn’t make good use of his skills as an actor. What’s even more frustrating is that his character introduces a major plot problem that Marvel hasn’t resolved after eight years.

Ant-Man and the Wasp Completely Wastes Walton Goggins

Viewers might not recall Walton Goggins’ role as Sunny Burch, a memorable gangster with a strong Southern accent. Burch is a villain in the 2018 Marvel film who chases after Scott Lang and his team, trying to steal technology from Hank Pym for himself and a secret boss. He’s best known for a thrilling car chase through San Francisco, where both the heroes and villains fight over Pym’s miniaturized lab.

Sonny Burch isn’t a major player in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and Walton Goggins hasn’t returned to the role since his initial appearance. This is a shame, as Goggins has gained a lot of recognition and praise for his recent work in shows like Fallout, The White Lotus, and The Righteous Gemstones.

Walton Goggins was a great fit for a repeating villain role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Considering the number of Disney+ series expanding phases 4 through 6, it’s unexpected he wasn’t cast. His character’s morally ambiguous dealings would have been perfect for shows like Ironheart or The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. While he probably wouldn’t have become a major supervillain, he could have played an entertaining supporting role in several movies and series.

Walton Goggins shines as Sonny Burch in Ant-Man and the Wasp, making the most of his role. He even gets a chance to participate in the film’s humor when Ant-Man and the Wasp use a truth serum on him after capturing him. As usual, Goggins is captivating on screen, and his performance feels like a strong reason to bring the character back to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Despite this, he hasn’t appeared in any subsequent MCU films, though the possibility isn’t entirely off the table.

Walton Goggins’s MCU Character Creates a Massive Plot Hole

The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s choice not to include Sonny Burch in any subsequent films is a disservice to Walton Goggins, but it also creates an unresolved plot issue. In Ant-Man and the Wasp, Burch constantly mentions secretive buyers interested in Pym technology, seeing it as a potentially lucrative opportunity. The film never reveals who these buyers are, and this mystery hasn’t been explained in any other MCU movie or show, even after eight years.

Most movie franchises might mention “mysterious buyers” without ever explaining who they are. But the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) typically uses these kinds of hints to build toward future stories. Unfortunately, the buyers mentioned in Ant-Man and the Wasp haven’t been revealed in that movie or any other MCU project. This has created a significant unanswered question for fans, leaving them wondering which hidden force was pulling the strings behind the scenes.

In the comics, Sonny Burch often works for Obadiah Stane, a major Iron Man villain famously portrayed by Jeff Bridges. Although Obadiah Stane died in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2008, there’s a chance Sonny Burch still has ties to the Stane family. Another possibility is that Burch’s introduction is meant to pave the way for the return of a different Iron Man enemy known for stealing technology, like Justin Hammer, played by Sam Rockwell.

With a massive franchise like the Marvel Cinematic Universe, there’s always room to revisit older stories and explain unanswered questions. Walton Goggins could return as his character, Sonny Burch, in a future movie or Disney+ show. Burch would be a good fit for a story about villains trying to steal Stark technology. He might even be connected to the same secretive organization that hired Peggy Carter in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.

Although the Marvel Cinematic Universe didn’t fully utilize Walton Goggins’ talent across several projects, there’s still potential for his character, Sonny Burch, to reappear. Even with the franchise moving forward after the Multiverse Saga, the door remains open for the talented actor to return in the future.

Ant-Man and the Wasp is available to stream on Disney+.

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2026-01-28 20:14