Marvel Names New Director and Writer For Ant-Man

[MovieBob]

Marvel Names New Director and Writer For Ant-Man

Director of Bring It On and the writer of Anchorman team up to rescue troubled superhero comedy

Marvel Studios have had a who's who of fast-working comedy directors pass on taking over the shooting of Ant-Man following the sudden departure of original helmer Edgar Wright, but now they say they've found their guy: Peyton Reed, the hardworking comedy specialist best known for Bring It On, The Break-Up and Jim Carrey's Yes Man.

In a surprising turn, Anchorman writer/director and Funny Or Die co-creator Adam McKay will "contribute to" (read: attempt to repair) the film's shooting script. McKay was at one point looking to take the project over in full, but was reported to have passed. The screenplay had been the primary bone of contention between Wright and Marvel: The film's storyline, cast, sets and costumes had all been set (while Wright is said to have already storyboarded most of the film and pre-visualized the major action scenes) when unnamed Marvel/Disney producers allegedly ordered a drastic in-house rewrite of the script which Wright disliked so much it led to his exit. Details of the changes are not known, but differences are said to have mainly arisen over approach to comedy and overall tone. It is also unknown to what extent McKay's license to further revise extends.

Another interesting note: Reed had once been slated to direct the original Fantastic Four feature, but was nudged aside for Tim Story shortly after his high-concept retro-comedy Down With Love failed at the box-office.

Marvel also released the first official description of the film's story, describing it as a "heist" movie with con-man Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) helping his mentor Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) protect the secrets of the Ant-Man technology (which allows one to shrink to insect-size and communicate with ants) from an unnamed threat. The film is still scheduled to begin shooting next month for a July 2015 release date.


Source: Marvel [http://marvel.com/news/movies/2014/6/7/22643/director_peyton_reed_and_writer_adam_mckay_join_marvels_ant-man]

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[SeeDarkly_Xero]

Also with The Weird Al Show & Upright Citizens Brigade in his portfolio...
I otherwise know little about Reed's work, but as I was never in it for Ant Man for the director, I'm sure it will work out well.
Mostly just glad it's settled.

 

[PunkRex]

All this drama is worrying... at least things are finally moving.

 

[Sould1n]

I'm happy to hear that the problems in looking for a new director have been overcome and that all things should be proceeding smoothly again. That said, seeing the first official description of the movie has damped most of my excitement for it.

I've never lived in an area with easy access to comic books, so my only real source for comic book knowledge was through becoming a fan of the various cartoons. Thus my first introduction to Ant-Man wasn't through the comics, it came only a couple or so years back wherein I watched and became a fan of the Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes cartoon series. My favourite character in the series; Ant-Man, Hank Pym as Ant Man to be precise. I also really enjoyed the character of Wasp and her interactions with Hank, and so of course when I heard they were making an Ant-Man movie I was excited to see these two be the focus of the movie.

From the sound of the description this does not sound like the case, it sounds like it'll be focusing more on Scott Lang in the role as Ant-Man rather than Hank, and I see no mention of Wasp. It'll likely turn out to be good, but from what it seems, this is not the Ant-Man (and Wasp) film I was hoping to see.

 

[Zontar]

This might actually work.

Though it's clear they aren't going with Pym as Ant-Man, which makes me a little sad inside, I do hope they somehow get Wasp in on this. These movies seem to, for the most part, have a hero or a few heroes who work along side the titular character, usually as a sidekick role even if in the comics they are a character in their own right. So if that's the case, may as well make it Wasp.

 

[Tireseas_v1legacy]

Although it sounds like this could be the first action movie under this guy's belt, at least his record suggests he could work decently. If nothing else, this should be an interesting film to watch in abject horror...

 

[Soviet Heavy]

Down With Love is hilarious and I won't hear anything against it. And Bring it On was okay (fuck the sequels). Color me interested in this development.

 

[weirdee]

when all else fails, turn it into a bad comedy?

 

[008Zulu_v1legacy]

This is beginning to sound more and more like that Wright was wanting to go with the wife beating version of the character. I'm going to say it's a good thing Wright isn't helming it anymore.

 

[SonOfVoorhees]

Knowing Marvel i really think the quality will still be high, even if they rush it, i dont think they will release a piece of shit movie. Maybe this last moment writer director choice might work out and make it awesome. Also they still have time to move the date if they need to.

So the wife slapping may have been an issue? Not surprised really, in superhero movies having the character we are meant to be cheering suddenly slaps or beats his wife, we will automatically hate that character. An with a character like Antman, it will be filmed for PG atleast so kids can watch it.

 

[Tanis]

IF this works, it will be a fantastic tale.

IF this fails, it will be a fantastic tale.

Either way, it's gonna be...interesting.

 

[zumbledum]

well this film went to a wait for the TV release attitude pretty fast

 

[Sampler]

Does this mean that Hank could still be the creator of Ultron?

As the Ant-Man movie was slated to be released post Age of Ultron and they clearly stated Ant-Man would not be in it, if Scott Lang is to be Ant-Man then Pym could still be in Age of Ultron as his creator?

Though I was (and probably the only one) hoping that they put a new twist on it as Iron Man creating him out of his own hubris (though I guess Avengers and Iron Man 3 have seen him take some steps away from that) - possibly Jarvis controlling and going insane.

At any rate, given the track record, I'm sure I'll probably end up enjoying them whatever the story.

 

[FPLOON]

Huh... I'm actually cool with this turnout... *pauses* And yet, I'm not more surprised than how I was when this all started...

Regardless, this is going to be one hell of a movie when it comes out..

 

[The Great JT]

Well, I liked Yes Man, and Anchorman was solid, so here's hoping they can get this ship back on course.

 

[Rawbeard]

new writer? oh boy...

 

[RA92]

This is beginning to sound more and more like that Wright was wanting to go with the wife beating version of the character. I'm going to say it's a good thing Wright isn't helming it anymore.

And on what bit of information you are basing that bit of conjecture on?

 

[Zontar]

Does this mean that Hank could still be the creator of Ultron?

I think the original plan may have been for that (though the details can change radically, they probably already had the idea for Ultron to be in there in the "broad strokes" way they plan these out) since Ant-Man was originally going to be released in 2010 instead of Iron Man 2 (the reference made in Thor about gamma radiation was originally supposed to be about Pym, and Shield making him disappear was him joining the organization) but because of Iron Man's massive popularity it got moved back 5 years and 2 avengers team-ups.

Now they'll probably go the rout of Tony making him instead, which is how it happened in several continuities outside the main 616 universe.

 

[008Zulu_v1legacy]

And on what bit of information you are basing that bit of conjecture on?

Wright suddenly quitting, beating his wife is one of (the big things) things people remember Antman for, Disney drastically re-writting the movie to have more comedic elements.

From this, we can conclude that he wanted to take the character in more darker/gritty telling with a serious/dramatic storyline.

 

[RA92]

And on what bit of information you are basing that bit of conjecture on?

Wright suddenly quitting, beating his wife is one of (the big things) things people remember Antman for, Disney drastically re-writting the movie to have more comedic elements.

From this, we can conclude that he wanted to take the character in more darker/gritty telling with a serious/dramatic storyline.

Wright's comedy is all about black humor, not grittiness. Not sure how wife-beating can be funny. It's a bit of a ridiculous jump.