Two unlikely forces meet in the latest Marvel comic to convert to the big screen: Paul Rudd and Ant Man.
The announcement possibly warrants two clarifications for non-movie buffs and only cursory comic fans: (1) Ant Man is not half man, half insect the way Spiderman is (half man, half arachnid, that is). Rather, he's a scientist who invented a method by which to shrink to insect-like proportions. (2) For an actor, playing a superhero is like going blonde: everybody does it at least once; some regret it, some don't.
Still, Rudd is one of the more unlikely superhero candidates, given his typically unintimidating roles -- "I Love You Man," "Anchorman," "Friends," (though he was semi-tough in "Role Models). Maybe he's been speaking with Aaron Eckhart, who's making up for his scripted death in "The Dark Knight" by playing Frankenstein in the upcoming feature, "I, Frankenstein". (It's only chance at success is probably Eckhart's acting).
Like Eckhart, the 44 year-old Rudd rarely fails, and will hope to be more Robert Downey, Jr. in "Ironman" than Ryan Reynolds in "The Green Lantern."
The Ant Man story would seem to play to a more physically underwhelming actor like Rudd (who, at the same time, is also underrated as when he removes his shirt briefly in "Anchorman 2"), though, like nearly all before him, he will almost certainly have to don a costume. Ant Man preferred a red body suit and a helmet with ant-like antennae. Rudd's probably in the gym as you read this.
Studio executives expressed confidence in their casting decision that was originally reported by Variety on Wednesday.
"When Edgar Wright came to us with the idea of Paul Rudd, we felt a huge sense of relief because the first step in creating any Marvel Studios film is finding the right star," said Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige.
"We knew early on that we had found the right person in Paul," Feige said during the same statement. "When he not only agreed to do it but became as enthusiastic as any actor we'd ever met with about doing the work, we knew we'd found the right guy. We couldn't be more excited for our audiences to see what he's going to do to bring Ant-Man to life."
Rudd's comedic history has led some to speculate that the flick will be something of an action-comedy hybrid. I disagree.
In most of his movies, Rudd has played more of the straight man ("I Love You Man," "Role Models," "This is 40," "Knocked Up," etc.). He's always been a funny man with a serious side, known more for his quick quips and ability to highlight the hilarity of the situation and the people around him ("Anchorman" and his outrageous character being the exception). My guess is the film will have its light moments, but will ultimately be more serious than many anticipate -- and may shine a new light on Rudd's already illustrious career.
