Two weeks ago today was when fan-favorite director Edgar Wright departed Marvel Studios’ Ant-Man, a project he had been linked to since 2006, with later reports indicating that drastic script changes caused his change of heart. Since that time, the search for a replacement director has been on with the likes of Anchorman‘s Adam McKay being up for the task and then pulling out of discussions as quick as they had begun. Dodgeball‘s Rawson Thurber and Zombieland‘s Ruben Fleischer were also said to be in contention but have also withdrawn their names from the hunt.
Tonight, TheWrap reports that Peyton Reed (Yes Man, Bring It On) is the frontrunner for the job, while The Hollywood Reporter brings word that David Wain (Role Models, Wet Hot American Summer) is also on the new shortlist of candidates. Wain has previously worked with star Paul Rudd in all of the features he has directed including the upcoming They Came Together, while Reed is not a total stranger to comic book films having signed on to direct the big screen adaptation of Vivek J. Tiwary’s graphic novel The Fifth Beatle. (Reed was also once in the mix to direct the original <b>Fantastic Four</b> movie from 20th Century Fox before Tim Story got that gig.)
On the flip side of this director’s search is the cast for Ant-Man which has already assembled and includes the likes of Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Patrick Wilson, Corey Stoll, and Michael Douglas. Speaking with the Schmoes Know, Douglas opened up about the situation calling it ‘dissapointing.’
“I was very disappointed. I am a big fan of (Edgar’s) movies. It’s a very disappointing situation. Happened very late in the game. I don’t think anybody’s quite recovered. My heart goes out to Edgar – he’s been involved with the project for a long time. But he’s talented enough that you’ll be hearing a whole lot from him and I’m sure with a little vengeance.”
You can watch the video featuring Douglas’ comments below and check back here for future confirmation on the Ant-Man director search as we learn it.
Ant-Man follows a biochemist Dr. Hank Pym using his latest discovery, a group of subatomic particles, to create a size-altering formula. Though his first self-test goes awry, he develops an instrument that helps him communicate with and control insects. It is currently set for release on July 17, 2015.
