Director Edgar Wright Exits 'Ant-Man'

In a seriously heartbreaking announcement, popular director Edgar Wright has officially departed Ant-Man, the upcoming Marvel Studios action-comedy.

Marvel is currently looking for a new director for the project, which will star Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Patrick Wilson and Evangeline Lilly. The studio has yet to enter negotiations with any prospective filmmakers just yet, but Marvel has confirmed that "a new director will be announced shortly."

Wright's departure from Marvel and from Ant-Man is being attributed to "differences in their vision of the film," which makes this even more of a heartbreaker, since this had been a passion project for Wright since 2006. Over the years, he's stoked anticipation for the film with regular updates at Comic-Con each year, and even went as far as to show test footage of the film in 2012. Recently, concept art from the movie was released illustrating the unique visual style of the action-comedy.

Ant-Man, based on the comic books of the same name, centers on biochemist Hank Pym, who "uses subatomic particles to create a size-altering formula and when tests go awry, realizes he can also communicate with and control insects." Marvel has been developing Ant-Man as a possible franchise for the third phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Even with Wright's exit, these plans are not expected to change.

The decision was reportedly amicable, and Wright's departure is not expected to affect the July 17, 2015 release date planned for Ant-Man. Either way, this is a real disappointment for fans of Wright's unique, stylistic brand of comedy filmmaking. The idea of having the director of The World's End, Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World directing a Marvel movie was one worth getting excited over. And now, this loss is equally worth the disappointment. Here's hoping Marvel can find a worthy replacement. However, we're now left to forever wonder what Edgar Wright's Ant-Man would have been like. Sigh.

Via: Variety

Credit: Daily Mirror