After days of speculation, Marvel Entertainment has confirmed that actor Paul Rudd will indeed play Ant-Man in the new film from director Edgar Wright.
As previously reported, rumors started earlier this week that Rudd was in talks for the role. It will be Rudd’s first comic book film, since the 44-year-old actor is better known for comedies, including films with Judd Apatow on his resume.
In a statement on Thursday, Paul Feig, who oversees the films at Marvel, confirmed that Rudd has been cast, noting that ti was Wright’s idea to cast him.
“We knew early on that we had found the right person in Paul,” Feig said. “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.”
Ant-Man’s real name is Dr Hank Pym, a scientist who created a formula to shrink himself. It’s not known what the plot for the film will be, but it is going to be the first Marvel film to hit theaters after the May 1, 2015 release of Avengers: Age of Ultron.
Ant-Man hits theaters on July 31, 2015. Rudd can currently be seen in Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues and Wright’s most recent film was The World’s End. He’s also directed Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World.
image: Wikimedia Commons
