According to The Hollywood Reporter, Paul Rudd has been cast as the titular character in the upcoming Ant-Man movie. Rudd is famous for his comedic (and bromantic) performances in Anchorman, The 40-Year Old Virgin, I Love You Man, and more. Ant-Man is famous…well, he’s not really a famous Marvel superhero, is he? The casting is interesting; Ant-Man is an unusual character and it’s surprising that he’s getting his own movie, while it’s equally surprising that Rudd will don some spandex and play a superhero on the big screen. It’s so wacky that it just might work!
For those of you that haven’t been keeping up with news on the movie, Ant-Man will be directed by Edgar Wright. The English director is best known for Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and the big-screen adaptation of Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. While many comic-book fanboys expect a healthy dose of comedy, I’m hoping that the quirkiness behind the humor permeates Ant-Man.
So what are the chances of the following exchange happening in a future Avengers movie?
Ant-Man: Do you know how I know you’re gay?
Captain America: How?
Ant-Man: You had a little boy as a sidekick and crashed an airplane into some ice instead of making out with a hot British chick.
(It’s early morning and I have jet lag. I’ll come up with a much better joke later.)
My initial reaction is, “I don’t know about this one.” To me, Ant-Man (the Hank Pym version) is notable for two reasons — being one of the smartest men in the Marvel Universe and being an abusive husband. I can’t see Rudd being a genius or a wife-beater, let alone both.
Anyway, please let me know what you think of Paul Rudd as Ant-Man in the comments section. Are you intrigued by the casting? Or do you see him as too much of a comedian to play a superhero (even a tiny one)?
Ant-Man is slated for a July 2015 release.
I can see him as Yellow Jacket and creating Ultron, but, no, he wouldn’t be my first choice for Pym/Ant-Man/Giant Man. Would it be too hard to actually cast someone that makes me actually believe for one second that they are a scientist?
-M
Who would you suggest, Sir?
O.K. After giving your question WAY too much thought, I’ve decided that if Pym is “young” they should go with Jessie Eisenberg. Bradley Cooper for an older Pym. I also think that Josh Holloway would be a good casting choice as well.
Stop giving me questions that I have to think about. I’m American, damnit! I hate using my brain.
-M
Love the Bradley Cooper suggestion. He’s great at alternating between charming and dickish. That’s perfect for Pym.