‘Ant-Man’ Will (No Longer) Be Directed by ‘Anchorman’ Helmer Adam McKay [UPDATED]
After today's announcement of the directors most likely to replace Edgar Wright on 'Ant-Man,' a decision has been made: 'Anchorman' director Adam McKay is now in talks helm the project.
UPDATE: THR reports that McKay has pulled out of talks with Marvel, stating that the director "abruptly" decided not to move forward with negotiations on the project. The trade also indicates that the decision was firmly McKay's and McKay's alone.
It was earlier reported that both Ruben Fleischer ('Zombieland,' 'Gangster Squad') and Rawson Marshall Thurber ('We're the Millers') were also being considered to helm 'Ant-Man.' Perhaps now talk will return to one of these contenders. Original report below:
This news was first reported by Ain't it Cool News, and though contracts aren't locked down, an offer is out to McKay and they're reporting that a deal is sure to be made. Of all the mentioned possible replacements, Adam McKay is the one that fans are most likely to get behind, and would surely make star Paul Rudd the happiest.
This though raises questions about how much of a pass McKay will get to do on the script and how much control he'll have over the material. We're betting he won't be able to go back to some of Wright and co-writer Joe Cornish's previous drafts, but he may be able to put his own spin on it. McKay has previously been attached to an adaptation of Garth Ennis' 'The Boys,' so perhaps this is the best way to show that he can direct an action scene and something other than a comedy, though it's unknown if he'll be stuck with the set pieces Wright pre-visualized before he left the project. That seems likely if the film is to start shooting shortly as Marvel has yet to move the film's July 17, 2015 release date.