Paul Rudd Is ANT-MAN

Sometimes great choices come down to process of elimination.

The Hollywood Reporter is stating that Marvel and Edgar Wright have chosen Paul Rudd to be their Ant-Man. Rudd has been in contention for the role since back in October, along with Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Since Gordon-Levitt has attached himself to Warner Brothers Sandman project, it looks like it became a one-man race.

This casting news is rather strange since Rudd has been asked repeatedly about Ant-Man on the promotional tour for Anchorman: The Legend Continues and his stock answer was that it was just a rumor and he knew nothing about it. Sheeyeah right. Well played, Mr. Rudd. Well played.

In my opinion, it’s a great choice. I really like Rudd as an actor. One of the main gripes people might have about him is that he has spent the last few years as part of The Apatow Repertory Players, doing comedy after comedy. But those familiar with his career know that Rudd has done well in a series of dramas, notably The Shape of Things and Cider House Rules, in the past. So don’t expect Ant-Man to be any more of a comedy than any other Marvel film.

Another hit is his age. He is 44, which is a bit long-in-the-tooth for some when it comes to their action heroes. But if he is playing Hank Pym, he’ll be playing a scientist. Not many twenty-somethings have PhD’s.