Between the recent talk about a Doctor Strange movie and rumours of a Planet Hulk feature leading into a World War Hulk-themed Avengers 3, there’s been plenty of speculation about the possibilities for Phase Three of the Marvel Cinematic Universe lately. Nevertheless, the only thing set in stone so far for Marvel Studios post-The Avengers 2 is the release of the long-gestating Ant-Man adaptation from British filmmaker Edgar Wright. Having been in development since 2006, Ant-Man is finally set to move into production once Wright finishes up with his latest film The World’s End, and the director has been speaking about his plans for the miniature superhero during an interview with IGN.
“It’s a way of doing a superhero film within another genre,” states Wright, on how he plans to offer up something different than the traditional comic book movie with Ant-Man. “I wanted to tell an origin tale in a slightly different way. It’s part of the Marvel cinematic universe, but it also feels like its own piece… I’ve been collaborating with Kevin Feige during the whole [development] cycle. I think people have always assumed… ‘Oh why is it taking so long to make?’ Part of it is because I wanted to make two other movies first. I wanted to make World’s End… me and Simon [Pegg] were very keen to make it and it felt like it was unfinished business and we wanted to wrap up the trilogy… But to be honest, the later I do [Ant-Man], it feels like I could learn more, especially about special effects. It’s a big effects movie, so I’m pleased to go into it having done Scott Pilgrim and The World’s End because you’re always learning more about that side.”
The Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz director also went on to discuss his own favourite movie from the Marvel Cinematic Universe: “I guess my two favourites would have to be Iron Man and The Avengers. I’ve enjoyed all of them and I think those two are the ones that score highest on the popcorn metre. That totally work as great crowd-pleasers. And I think what they’ve managed to do in terms of The Avengers coming after a five-film cycle, is kind of extraordinary and unprecedented in cinema history. To bring together four other franchises into one. It couldn’t have gone better could it? It’s amazing.”
Ant-Man is currently scheduled for November 6th, 2015, while The World’s End arrives in the UK this year on August 14th ahead of a North American release on October 25th.
Originally published February 6, 2013. Updated April 11, 2018.
