Peyton Reed to direct Marvel’s Ant-Man; Adam McKay will contribute to script

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

It's been a crazy couple of weeks for Marvel's ANT-MAN, as Edgar Wright famously left the project over creative differences, and rumored hopefuls were shot down one after another. Marvel wasn't budging with their release date so we knew that a replacement would be picked soon. That time has come, and his name is Peyton Reed.

Peyton Reed has more recently directed YES MAN with Jim Carey, but was also responsible for bringing us THE BREAK-UP, DOWN WITH LOVE and BRING IT ON. He's also had his fair share of televised comedy, having directed episodes of New Girl, Upright Citizens Brigade, and Mr. Show with Bob and David. Looking back over the man's career, I can't say that he has a particular style that would contribute a unique spin to a Marvel property (a la Wright), but he's competent.  I've enjoyed each of his films to a degree, so you could say that ANT-MAN has fallen off the excitement radar and into the land of indifference for me.

Another interesting tidbit of news is that Adam McKay (ANCHORMAN, THE OTHER GUYS) will be contributing to the script. McKay tweeted that he had met with Marvel and we had all assumed it was for directing purposes. That still may be true, but perhaps Marvel or McKay felt that he could contribute something to script, while keeping within the guidelines of what Marvel wants done.

Marvel has also released an updated synopsis, which is as follows:

Armed with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, con-man Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) must embrace his inner-hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas), protect the secret behind his spectacular Ant-Man suit from a new generation of towering threats. Against seemingly insurmountable obstacles, Pym and Lang must plan and pull off a heist that will save the world.

Now with a director and writer solidified, Marvel's ANT-MAN is back on track to being released on July 17, 2015.