Finally, the wait is over and more importantly over for film journos and bloggers who felt compelled to constantly keep up with this story. After all the back and forth Marvel announced today that they’ve found a director for “Ant-Man”: Peyton Reed, the eclectic filmmaker behind teen comedy “Bring It On,” 2002’s throwback romance film “Down With Love,” Vince Vaughn’s “The Break-Up” and “Yes Man” starring Jim Carrey and Zooey Deschanel.
Announced as the frontrunner for the late gig yesterday, Reed was perhaps the most versatile choice given his adaptable body of work (David Wain was also up for the job ,but evidently didn’t get it). Additionally, Reed was also once attached to direct “Fantastic Four” circa 2002 before eventually bowing out, so clearly he knows Marvel characters and that universe.
Perhaps one of the most interesting elements of Marvel’s press release? Zero mention of Edgar Wright and Joe Cornish’s contributions to the screenplay and instead they announced that “Anchorman” filmmaker Adam McKay, who was up for the directing gig at one point, will help rewrite the script (evidently they liked his pitch, but as the filmmaker noted, he wouldn’t have time to direct).
A new synopsis was revealed as well:
When Marvel’s “Ant-Man” hits theaters July 17, 2015, director Peyton Reed will help shepherd the hero into the Marvel Cinematic Universe with a cast led by Paul Rudd and Michael Douglas, with writer Adam McKay contributing to the film’s script.
Armed with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, con-man Scott Lang (Rudd) must embrace his inner-hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym (Douglas), protect the secret behind his spectacular Ant-Man suit from a new generation of towering threats. Against seemingly insurmountable obstacles, Pym and Lang must plan and pull off a heist that will save the world.
Anyhow, If we don’t have to write another “Ant-Man” story for six months, we’ll be happy. “Ant-Man” starts shooting shortly and is evidently still on track to come out July, 17, 2015.