Antman director short list: Marvel is looking for a comedy angle

Captain America: The Winter Soldier is about finished its theatrical run at the box office after breaking records for the month of April, and for Marvel Studios, that means it’s time to put all focus on Guardians of the Galaxy – their big unknown property that aims to make a mark in the unusual superhero release month of August
Next summer, Marvel’s heroes assemble once again in The Avengers Age of Ultron and just eight weeks later, fans will again meet a new hero from a lesser known property in Ant-Man, a film that’s been in the works for the better part of a decade from writer and director Edgar Wright. Ant-Man was meant to begin shooting shortly, except now it doesn’t have a director. It doesn’t have the director who pitched the film and helped get it greenlit in the first place.
Last week, Marvel made the official and shocking announcement that Edgar Wright had parted ways with them over creative differences. It was at the last minute and Marvel – committed to their release date – made sure to couple the news with the statement that the production is still on track for a July 2015 release and that a new director will be announced soon.

Speculation ran rampant, with some pointing internally for who Marvel could look to take over the director’s chair but we had heard they had someone in mind, someone they’ve not yet worked with before. Who could possibly fill the void left by Edgar Wright when it comes to his unique take on the character? According to THR, one of these directors who are all reportedly on the shortlist and meeting with Marvel:

• Adam McKay (Anchorman 1 & 2, The Other Guys)
• Jonathan Levine (Warm Bodies, 50/50)
• Rawson Thurber (Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, We’re the Millers)
• Ruben Fleischer (Zombieland, Gangster Squad)

Marvel Studios president of production Kevin Feige clearly is looking for someone with comedic chops and proven hits under their belts which speaks volumes to the style and humor we can expect from the Paul Rudd-led action heist film we’re told Ant-Manwill be. THR claims Levine may be off the list, according to another source of theirs, but all the names represent directors who have a knack for blending genres but who’ve not hit the “A-List” of directors quite yet