The Marvel machine, for the most part, is a carefully scheduled, well-oiled machine, allowing the comic studio to deliver at least two movies per year and keep an eye on their brewing TV and streaming projects while continuing to build out their extended universe. But today, that synchronized operation got a major glitch.
“Ant-Man” director Edgar Wright has left the project. It seems creative differences have led to his split from the project, which spent the spring putting together a cast—Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Michael Pena, Patrick Wilson and Corey Stoll—for the movie to shoot this summer, in time for release next year. The date won’t change, and things seem to be cool between Wright and Marvel, as revealed in this official statement:
Marvel and Edgar Wright jointly announced today that the studio and director have parted ways on ANT-MAN due to differences in their vision of the film. The decision to move on is amicable and does not impact the release date on July 17, 2015. A new director will be announced shortly.
More to come.
It’ll be interesting to see who Marvel grabs on short notice to take over the movie, especially as they still intend to make next summer’s release date. And trade reports suggest they’ve already found a replacement, that they have yet to announce. But fans shouldn’t worry too much. We’d wager a lot of pre-production is probably far along, and whoever steps in will have to just take the ball and run with it. Marvel has pretty seasoned VFX people to do that end of the heavy lifting, so it’s really finding someone who will fit snugly into the multiple spinning wheels of the gig and get the job done. Suggestions? [THR/Variety]
lena dunham
Will Gluck please.
Assuming they're not on a contractual pact with Sony, I'd join the multiple voices online suggesting Phil Lord & Chris Miller.
It sounds like Disney had problems with the tone of Edgar and Joe's script. Which doesn't surprise me considering the last two films made by them was Attack the Block and The World's End – both had unlikeable anti-hero leads. That may not fly with The Mouse House.
Marvel have proven to support interesting filmmakers before and take risks on the talent, so it seems odd that this would be such a breaking point for them. Damn shame.
Will Gluck (Easy A, Friends With Benefits, Annie).
Screw the whole Marvel franchise, I just wanna see a new Edgar Wright movie.
Much like Thor 2 they will get a TV guy (or gal). Someone who can quickly and cost effectively direct comedy and action set pieces … maybe Adam Bernstein (Breaking Bad, Fargo, Bored to Death)? I know it won't happen but Richard Ayoade would be interesting.
Wait!? Wasn't Ant-Man only added to the Marvel slate because Edgar Wright campaigned for it as a personal project. Ummm… if the film turns out OK I guess all is forgiven. Speaks to Wright's integrity maybe?
Alison Maclean
No chance they don't hire a TV guy. I was looking forward to this, now I couldn't give a shit.
It's pretty impossible for Marvel to downplay this, but I suppose they have to try. Wright's been committed to this one for years. For him to leave and let go of years of work could only have been caused by a huge conflict.
What makes it even weirder is that not too long ago James Gunn said that he was encouraged (was it by Feige or Whedon?) to make his script even more like his own stuff.
Personally, as an early hardcore Wright fan, I had a hard time dealing with Paul "meh" Rudd as Ant-man so I'll try to see the glass half full: now I can completely ignore this.
"and things seem to be cool between Wright and Marvel, as revealed in this official statement"
Yes, no reason to disbelieve a press release put out on a Friday afternoon just prior to a holiday weekend.
Woody Allen
Who will the replacement be?
Gavin O'Connor?
F. Gary Gray?
Antoine "I know my lenses" Fuqua?
George "I directed Star Wars" Lucas
Tommy "Hi, babe" Wiseau?
Reggie Rock Bythewood?
Hammy "CUT, DAMMIT!" Hammerstein?
Flipflop O'Hallahan?
M'Shawn Shashaperstatt?
Phil Lord and Chris Miller!
"But fans shouldn't worry too much. We'd wager a lot of pre-production is probably far along, and whoever steps in will have to just take the ball and run with it."
Yeah, that would be a reason for concern.
Great timing, as this one seems right up Andrei Zvyagintsev's alley.
This late in the game, with a release date not particularly far off, it'll almost certainly be some TV director, right?
Could foresee someone like Francis Lawrence stepping in. Or maybe Gore Verbinski?
Joe Cornish?
As the creative done on pre-production will have someone else's vision, you need a ventriloquist director whose skill is mimicking and appropriating the style of others. Anyone with an actual vision won't want the gig.
Who is the current "Joel Schumacher"?
Shit.
Lynne Ramsay
Sucks.