| For alternate versions of Jim Paxton, see Jim Paxton's Character Hub |
- "That guy? Come on, you could marry anyone you want, you have to get engaged to a cop?"
"At least he’s not a crook." - ―Scott Lang and Maggie Lang[src]
Officer Jim Paxton is a police officer in the San Francisco Police Department, the husband of Maggie Lang, and the stepfather of Cassie Lang.
Biography[]
Stepfather[]
Jim Paxton was a policeman in the San Francisco Police Department. Prior to 2015, he began dating and was soon engaged to Maggie Lang, who had a daughter, Cassie, from her previous marriage to Scott Lang. Paxton disapproved of Scott due to his criminal background, and Scott in return thought of Paxton as an "ass-hat". Although Cassie preferred her father, she also liked her soon-to-be-stepfather, as Paxton was never anything but kind and protective towards her.[2]
Cassie's Birthday Party[]
- "What are you doing here, Lang? You haven’t paid a dime in child support. You know, right now if I wanted to, I could arrest you."
- ―Jim Paxton to Scott Lang[src]
Paxton at Cassie Lang's birthday party
Scott Lang arrived at Cassie's eighth birthday party after being released from San Quentin State Prison. Paxton quickly confronted him and made it clear that he was not welcome as Lang had failed to pay child-support. They continued to argue while Lang gave his daughter her birthday present. Eventually, Maggie arrived and intervened, taking Lang outside to discuss what he needed to do to see his daughter after he had accused Paxton of being an "ass-hat". Paxton stood with Cassie as Lang left the party and drove away.[2]
Arresting Scott Lang[]
Paxton speaks to Scott Lang in prison
- "You know, you almost had us convinced that you were gonna change your ways. They were really rooting for you. It's gonna break their hearts."
- ―Jim Paxton to Scott Lang[src]
A few days after the birthday party, Scott Lang was arrested for breaking into the home of billionaire Hank Pym, although he claimed to have not been caught stealing anything, but instead returning something he had stolen. While he waited in his prison cell, Paxton approached Lang and told him how disappointed his ex-wife and daughter would be to learn that Lang had returned to his criminal ways. Before their conversation could continue, Lang was called to a meeting with his lawyer.[2]
Hunting Lang[]
Paxton learns Scott Lang has escaped
A few minutes later, Paxton was warned by Gale that Scott Lang had seemingly vanished from his cell and escaped. Furious to have lost him and determined not to allow Lang to escape, Paxton ordered his men to set up a five-block perimeter and find Lang. In the end, they failed to find him; Paxton became obsessed with finding Lang again.
Paxton tells Cassie Lang he's looking for her dad
While having breakfast with Maggie and Cassie Lang, Paxton received a text message from Gale which informed him that the man posing as Lang's lawyer before the breakout was billionaire Hank Pym. As Paxton left to investigate the case further, he was asked by Cassie if he was going to find and arrest her father. Paxton assured her and Maggie that he would, but made it clear to Cassie that all he wanted was for Lang to be safe. Cassie told Paxton she hoped he did not find him.[2]
Infiltration into Pym Technologies Headquarters[]
Paxton attempts to arrest Hank Pym
- "All the chaos in here! Multiple shots fired... and there’s a tank."
- ―Jim Paxton[src]
Paxton and his partner Gale arrived at Pym Technologies where they confronted and attempted to arrest Hank Pym; however, Pym insisted that he had to get inside as he had lives to save. Although Paxton continued to insist that Pym had to come with them, they were suddenly distracted when they noticed that Dave was stealing their police car. The pair left Pym and gave chase to try and save their car.
Paxton discovers Dave and Kurt Goreshter
They found their car down the road having been crashed into a tree. As they made their way back to Pym Technologies they overheard a strange horn tune playing from a nearby van where Dave and Kurt Goreshter were hiding, which Paxton remembered as Scott Lang's horn. Paxton and Gale walked over to the van and insisted that the pair of criminals get out, although they tried to pretend they were not there. Paxton and Gale pulled the doors open and pulled them out, but not before Kurt managed to press a button on his laptop.
Paxton reports Hank Pym's Shrunken Tank
As Paxton and Gale handcuffed Dave and Kurt Goreshter, they witnessed all the inhabitants of Pym Technologies charge out of the doors, screaming in fear. Paxton attempted to control the situation and work out what was happening, but without warning, a tank burst through the building's walls and landed by the entrance, leaving Paxton unable to explain what was happening. Paxton witnessed Hank Pym and Hope van Dyne climbing out of the tank and taking Pym for medical treatment due to a bullet wound in his shoulder.
Paxton captures Ant-Man
Paxton followed reports of a helicopter crash and a fight between two super-powered individuals in a family's home. When Paxton and Gale arrived, he found Scott Lang in a strange uniform, having just defeated Yellowjacket and saved the family. Although Lang tried to explain what was happening and make the confused Paxton understand the situation, Paxton ignored him and instead pulled out his taser and shocked Lang, knocking him out and putting him into the police car to be taken back to jail.
Paxton threatens Scott Lang
As they drove along back to the police station, Lang woke up and insisted that Paxton needed to let him go as something very dangerous was about to happen. However, Paxton angrily spun around in his seat and threatened Lang, ordering him to keep quiet. As they were driving, a call came through the radio that a situation had occurred at Paxton's home and Yellowjacket had taken the family hostage. Paxton turned the car around to drive there while Lang suddenly disappeared from the back on the car.[2]
Protecting the Langs[]
Paxton attempts to rescue Cassie Lang
- "Sorry, sweetheart. You have to help daddy pay for his mistakes."
"You stay behind me, okay? Behind me!" - ―Yellowjacket and Jim Paxton to Cassie Lang[src]
As Paxton arrived at his house, he was informed that his stepdaughter Cassie Lang was taken hostage by Yellowjacket. However, Ant-Man interfered and the two had fought in Cassie's room. Paxton attempted to come and rescue her, but was trampled by an oncoming Ant that had been enlarged with a Pym Particle Disc.
Paxton remarks Ant-Man
However, Paxton recovered and protected Cassie while being threatened by Yellowjacket, who was determined to kill the Lang family simply to torment his foe. Paxton watched as Ant-Man went subatomic into the Quantum Realm by causing Yellowjacket's suit to malfunction and shrink with him still inside, seemingly killing him. After Ant-Man had enlarged back to normal size, Paxton was reunited with his wife and stepdaughter, despite some wreckage of the house sustained by an enlarged Thomas the Tank Engine toy.[2]
Friendship with Scott Lang[]
Family Dinner[]
Paxton thanks Scott Lang at a family dinner
- "Can’t be sending Cassie’s dad back to jail on a technical glitch, right?"
"Thank you, Paxton. I’m blown away. Thank you for everything you do for Cassie." - ―Jim Paxton and Scott Lang[src]
Grateful for saving his family from Darren Cross, Paxton invited Scott Lang for a family dinner and informed him that he would not be going back to prison after escaping the last time. He also showed Lang a video of Cassie performing her first cartwheel.[2]
Helping Scott Lang[]
Paxton at Scott Lang's house
- "Let me get in the inside of this…You know, I'm proud of you, bud."
"Thank you."
"You know what, give me another one." - ―Jim Paxton and Scott Lang[src]
By 2018, Paxton had married Maggie Lang.[3] Later that year, the pair arrived at Scott Lang's house to pick up Cassie only to find Agent Jimmy Woo and the FBI there. Maggie tried protesting but Paxton reasoned that the FBI were merely doing their jobs as Lang was on house arrest. As they were leaving, Paxton and Maggie give Lang a group hug. Paxton then gave him an extra hug, signifying his new relationship with him. As Lang bade them goodbye with magic trick involving cards coming out of his mouth, a confused Paxton wondered aloud how Lang pulled that trick off.
The next night, Cassie video called Lang to ask for her missing soccer shoes for her upcoming game. When Lang answered, he claimed he was too sick to search the house, so Paxton, Maggie, and Cassie wished him luck with recovering before signing off.
Paxton speaks with the FBI
Paxton accompanied Maggie and Cassie to Lang's house to pick up Cassie's soccer shoes only to find it a complete mess with bite marks on a nearby fern. Then suddenly, Woo and the FBI burst into the house, believing that Lang violated his house arrest. Cassie blocked Woo from searching the bathroom, insisting that her father was extremely sick, but Woo forced his way past Cassie. Paxton and Maggie tried to stop Woo only to be barred by Agents Burleigh and Pearson.
Paxton listening to Jimmy Woo
As the FBI re-checked Lang's ankle monitor, Maggie accused them of harassment, but Paxton told her it wasn't. Pearson then entered the room to announce they that had arrested Hank Pym and Hope van Dyne. Woo then left, promising to return for the official end of Lang's sentence. Later that day, back at his house, Paxton shared confused looks with Maggie as they watched Giant-Man on the news.
Paxton hugs Scott Lang
After Lang was free from his house arrest, he came over to Maggie's house, where Paxton, Maggie, and Cassie gave him a celebratory group hug.[4]
Personality[]
Jim Paxton appeared to be a stepfather who truly loved his stepdaughter, Cassie Lang. But he hated her father, and his rival, Scott Lang very much. He always wanted to arrest him due to his criminal background as a thief, thinking relapsing would be too tempting. Scott has described him as being an "asshat" for his hard headed personality. But Paxton can easily feel grateful when someone saved his stepdaughter like Ant-Man saving Cassie from Yellowjacket. So that was what made him becoming thankful to Scott. After that skirmish, Jim is now on good terms with Scott, now understanding that his heart is in the right place. Later on, Paxton is now good friends with Scott, to the point he even hugs him when picking up Cassie.
Abilities[]
- Marksman: As a cop, Paxton has received training in the use of firearms.
- Investigator: Paxton and his partner Gale staked outside of Pym Technologies Headquarters on the suspicion that Hank Pym was behind the mysterious occurrences. The two officers were the head of the case involving Ant-Man and catching the vigilante.
Equipment[]
Weapons[]
- Glock 26: Paxton and other officers of the San Francisco Police Department carried a Glock 26 as their service weapon. Paxton drew his gun to apprehend the wearer of the Ant-Man Suit, believing him responsible for the destruction of Pym Technologies Headquarters. When this man revealed himself to be Scott Lang, Paxton resorted to use a Taser instead. He also tried to use it to rescue Cassie Lang from Yellowjacket, but he was quickly disarmed.
- X26 Taser: Paxton used this weapon to subdue Scott Lang, once he managed to chase him while he believed Lang was responsible for the destruction of Pym Technologies Headquarters.
Facilities[]
- Jim Paxton's House: Paxton lived with his wife, along with his stepdaughter Cassie Lang. Following the Infiltration into Pym Technologies Headquarters and Ant-Man's subsequent arrest by Paxton and his partner, the group stopped by the residence to discover that Cassie has been taken hostage by Yellowjacket. While Ant-Man and Yellowjacket fought, Paxton went upstairs to try to rescue Cassie. After Yellowjacket's defeat Paxton and his family hosted Scott at the house for dinner for a thank-you dinner.
- San Francisco Police Station: Paxton worked in the San Francisco Police Station as a police officer. He arrested Scott Lang and brought Lang to the police station, which he then broke out of.
- Scott Lang's House: Paxton went to Scott Lang's house to pick up Cassie Lang, and helped him with the FBI. He later returned to help Cassie get her shoes for soccer practice.
Relationships[]
Family[]
Allies[]
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Enemies[]
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Appearances[]
In chronological order:
Ant-Man
- Ant-Man and the Wasp
- Look Out for the Little Guy! (mentioned)
Trivia[]
- In the comics, Blake Burdick is an officer of the Miami Police Department, who remarried Peggy Rae after she divorced Scott Lang. Distrustful towards superheroes, Burdick once arrested Lang and rescued his daughter Cassie during a break-in at Cross Technologies
Behind the Scenes[]
- Patrick Wilson was originally cast as Jim Paxton, but after the movie was delayed, scheduling conflicts forced Wilson to drop out and Bobby Cannavale took the role.
- Tim Soergel was a stunt double for Bobby Cannavale in the role of Jim Paxton.
- Jared Leland Gore was a stand-in for Bobby Cannavale in the role of Jim Paxton.
