By Jeff Sneider
TheWrap
After months of speculation, Paul Rudd has landed the lead in Marvel’s “Ant-Man” and is in early talks to play Hank Pym, multiple sources have told TheWrap.
Representatives for Marvel and Rudd had no comment.
Edgar Wright is directing the movie from a script he co-wrote with Joe Cornish, and Disney will release the film on July 31, 2015. Kevin Feige will produce for Marvel.
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In recent interviews to promote “Anchorman 2? as well as his recent stint hosting “Saturday Night Live,” Rudd has appeared noticeably slimmer, and sources tell TheWrap that’s because he’s training for the physical role of Ant-Man.
Rudd and Joseph Gordon-Levitt were the frontrunners for the coveted role, though Gordon-Levitt has appeared in several comic book adaptations and is gearing up for another one in WB’s “Sandman.” Rudd is more of a natural fit for the comedic character, and his “SNL” episode represented a season high in terms of viewers.
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Rudd will play a scientist who invents a substance that allows him to change his size and communicate with insects. The actor, who next stars in David Wain’s Sundance-bound comedy “They Came Together,” is repped by UTA and Brillstein Entertainment Partners.
The post Paul Rudd in Early Talks to Play Ant-Man in Edgar Wright’s Marvel Movie (Exclusive) appeared first on TheWrap.
