Michael Douglas Joins Marvel's ANT-MAN As Hank Pym !
As you probably already know, we don't usually post stories on casting unless it is a jaw dropper that could potentially change the trajectory of a production.
Michael Douglas is one of those types of actors! Love him in just about everything he does right back to THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO which I barely remember as a child. Sure I was intrigued by the selection of Paul Rudd as Scott Lang, but I didn't go "wow". I definitely think it will work with him as the lead, but I've never really resonated with him as an A-list actor. Douglas? He is Mr. A-list in my book. Douglas, Morgan Freeman, Jack Nicholson, Harrison Ford and Sean Connery define "movie star" for me. In other words, you've got to earn it over a career.
So now I'm definitely excited with ANT-MAN. Sure the story always held tons of promise, but now the characters can be solidly built around these two anchor actors. Edgar Wright was always a great choice for director from the get-go and I think Marvel has slam dunked another one here.
Apparently Douglas was asked earlier on in the pre-production but he had reservations of some sort or another. Those appear to have been resolved (salary issues? Perhaps. Marvel is known for tight purse strings) and Mr. Gecko himself is stepping up. I'm smiling at Bud Fox right now; my limo window closing...
Here's what producer Kevin Feige had to say about the announcement: "With Hank Pym’s rich history in the Marvel Universe, we knew we needed an actor capable of bringing the weight and stature to the role that the character deserves,” said Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige. “We felt incredibly relieved when Michael Douglas agreed to step into the part with the charm and fortitude he brings to every character he inhabits, and couldn’t be more excited to see what he will do to bring Hank Pym to life."
Indeed history and the importance of Pym in the Marvel Universe plays very key roles here. How is Wright and Marvel dealing with how to boot up this franchise? A younger Pym? And older Pym with the suit and name passed on to Lang? Many, many questions that all seem much more intriguing now with Douglas in the mix.
More when we get it!
ANT-MAN is slated to open on July 31, 2015.
Source: Variety
