Two More Directors in the Running to Helm ANT-MAN

While the shock of Edgar Wright’s sudden departure from Marvel’s Ant-Man has subsided, the studio has been busy looking for a new director. It has been almost two weeks since Wright resigned from the production, reportedly over a disagreement on rewrites of the script. The two possible directors that fans seemed most eager to see take on the Marvel property were James Gunn, who just directed Guardians of the Galaxy for the studio, and Adam McKay, who worked with Ant-Man lead Paul Rudd on the Anchorman films. But Gunn quickly shot down rumors that he was up for the gig, and McKay abruptly pulled out of negotiations.

Deadline is reporting that Rawson Thurber (We’re The Millers, Dodgeball) is the current favorite and that now Nicholas Stoller (Neighbors, Forgetting Sarah Marshall) and Michael Dowse (What If, Goon) are also being considered. Ruben Fleischer (Zombieland, Gangster Squad) was previously reported to be in the mix as well. 

From the list of potentials it’s easy to see that Marvel is keen on landing a director who can handle the comedic aspect of the film. Though I’m sure the directors in the running aren’t the fans’ favorite choices, Marvel seems perfectly capable of shepherding their directors and are clearly more interested in ones who can work within that system anyway. The Russo Brothers, who had mostly directed sitcoms, deftly handled the action in Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

Marvel is still aiming to release Ant-Man on July 17th, 2015.