5/30/2014

'Ant-Man' Director Shortlist Includes Adam McKay, Rawson Thurber, and Ruben Fleischer


The dust is beginning to settle after Edgar Wright's ugly departure from Marvel's Ant-Man with most of the details out in the open for all to see. While fans can't be too happy to learn editorial pressure forced Wright's exit, a new director still needs to be found and now Marvel is starting to weigh their options.

According to THR, Marvel is set to meet with Adam McKay, Rawson Thurber, and Ruben Fleischer about the job, which would see them tossed right into the fire in hopes of having the film ready by next summer.  What's immediately obvious is that all three are known as comedy directors so perhaps some of the irreverent tone crafted by Wright and co-writer Joe Cornish will remain intact.

McKay is Will Ferrell's primary wingman, directing both Anchorman movies and showing a deft hand for action with The Other Guys, making him perhaps the best option of the three and the hardest to secure. Fleischer is best known for helming Zombieland and Gangster Squad, while Thurber is coming off last year's $200M smash, We're the Millers.

Other rumors going around were that James Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy) would take over, but he shot those down pretty harshly, and Agent Carter director Louis D'Espositio may also be in the mix. Whoever Marvel chooses they'll need to hustle to get Ant-Man ready by July 17th 2015.