UPDATE - Marvel Studios have made the casting official with the following press release:
Marvel’s “Ant-Man” has found its hero in Paul Rudd, who will star in the new film from director Edgar
Wright hitting theaters July 31, 2015!
The casting of Rudd represents the actor that Marvel had long ago identified as its first choice to play Ant-Man, continuing the studio’s desire to cast actors that bring several dimensions to its onscreen heroes. The film’s plot is being kept under wraps.
“When Edgar Wright came to us with the idea of Paul Rudd, we felt a huge sense of relief because the first step in creating any Marvel Studios film is finding the right star,” said Marvel’s Kevin Feige. “We knew early on that we had found the right person in Paul. When he not only agreed to do it but became as enthusiastic as any actor we’d ever met with about doing the work, we knew we’d found the right guy. We couldn’t be more excited for our audiences to see what he’s going to do to bring Ant-Man to life.”
Rudd brings a diverse background to the role having become one of the industry’s most known actors with a reputation for smart, funny and creative performances. Rudd can currently be seen in “Anchor Man 2: The Legend Continues,” as well as past roles in “Anchorman,” “This Is 40,” “I Love You, Man,” “Role Models,” “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” “Our Idiot Brother,” “Knocked Up,” and “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” among numerous other films, television shows and primetime animation.
In addition to “Ant-Man,” Marvel Studios will release a slate of films based on the Marvel characters including “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” on April 4, 2014; “Guardians of the Galaxy” on August 1, 2014; and “Avengers: Age of Ultron” on May 1, 2015.
Kicking off Marvel Studio's Phase Three, Edgar Wright's Ant-Man has finally landed it's star, with Paul Rudd in negotiations to play the heroes alter ego, Hank Pym, inventor of the substance which gives him to power to alter his size at will (one of two men to hold the mantle in the movie, with Pym's successor to the name, Scott Lang, said to play a part). In recent months, rumour have suggested that the role was down to Rudd and Joesph Gordon-Levitt, but with Gordon-Levitt now linked to the adaption of DC's Sandman, it looks like Rudd has won out. This continues Marvel Studio's run of surprising us with their choice of actors (mouths were agape when Robert Downey Jr was cast as Iron Man, Chris Hemsworth was untested before Thor. I could go on), but considering Rudd's comedy talents, I think he'll suit whatever vision Wright conjures up for the character.
Ant-Man is set for release July 31st 2015
via The Wrap
