The Wrap late yesterday reported that charming nice guy Paul Rudd will play Ant-Man in Marvel’s Ant-Man movie. Ant-Man is being directed by Edgar Wright, who’s basically the Paul Rudd of directors. I didn’t read the comic books, but I’m guessing Ant-Man’s power is either super strength, an army of ants, or the ability to create ornate sculptures by puking sand.
After months of speculation, Paul Rudd has landed the lead in Marvel’s “Ant-Man” and is now in negotiations to play Hank Pym, multiple sources have told TheWrap.
Edgar Wright is directing the movie from a script he co-wrote with [Attack the Block Writer] Joe Cornish, and Disney will release the film on July 31, 2015. Kevin Feige will produce for Marvel.
In recent interviews to promote “Anchorman 2″ as well as his recent stint hosting “Saturday Night Live,” Rudd has appeared noticeably slimmer, and sources tell TheWrap that’s because he’s training for the physical role of Ant-Man.
Rudd will play a scientist who invents a substance that allows him to change his size and communicate with insects. [TheWrap]
Ant-Man is the alter ego of Dr. Hank Pym, a scientist who invents a shrinking serum that allows him to sneak around in miniature form and surprise foes — he’s also one of the original members of the Avengers. [HeroComplex]
Ohhh, he can become super small AND talk to ants. That was going to be my next guess. Now, I know some of the comic book ner– uh, aficionados, in the comments are going to be super angry that I don’t already have encyclopedic knowledge of an integral Marvel character like Ant-Man. Oh please. His name’s Ant-Man, and he can shrink and talk to ants. Tell me that idea didn’t come from some Stan Lee lackey hastily scribbling it on a martini napkin while he was under a deadline back in the 60s.
Not that I care, of course. You get Paul Rudd, Edgar Wright, and Joe Cornish together, I’m excited, I don’t care if the movie’s called “Cat Man,” and the hero’s powers are total aloofness and coughing up hairballs. Those guys will make it work. If you throw in Sam Rockwell, Baby Goose, and a golden retriever with a hankerchief around its neck, the movie would just be a glittering beam of pure happiness.