Judy Greer (“Married”), John Slattery (“Mad Men”), Bobby Cannavale (“Chef”), Wood Harris (“The Wire”), rapper/actor T.I. (“Takers”), comedian Gregg Turkington (“The Comedy”) and Abby Ryder Forstson (“Togetherness”) have joined the cast of “Ant-Man,” which has officially started production on Monday in San Francisco, according to Marvel.
The film brings one of Marvel comics’ original founding members of The Avengers into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The production also shoots on location in Atlanta, Georgia, which serves as the base for the film’s production.
Set for release in the U.S. on July 17, 2015, the film is being directed by Peyton Reed (“Bring it On”) and stars Paul Rudd as Scott Lang, aka Ant-Man, as TheWrap first reported.
Also read: Paul Rudd to Play Ant-Man in Edgar Wright’s Marvel Movie (Exclusive)
Michael Douglas and Evangeline Lilly co-star as Lang’s mentor Dr. Hank Pym and his daughter, Hope Van Dyne, respectively. Corey Stoll, Michael Pena and David Dastmalchian round out the cast.
Based on the Marvel comic character first published in 1962, Marvel’s “Ant-Man” continues the lineage of epic big-screen adventures chronicled in Marvel’s “Iron Man,” “The Incredible Hulk,” “Iron Man 2,” “Thor,” “Captain America: The First Avenger,” “Marvel’s The Avengers,” “Iron Man 3,” “Thor: The Dark World,” “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” “Guardians of the Galaxy” and the upcoming Marvel’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron.”
Armed with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, con-man Scott Lang (Rudd) must embrace his inner-hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym (Douglas), protect the secret behind his spectacular Ant-Man suit from a new generation of towering threats. Against seemingly insurmountable obstacles, Pym and Lang must plan and pull off a heist that will save the world.
Also read: ‘Yes Man’s’ Peyton Reed Is Frontrunner to Direct Marvel’s ‘Ant-Man’ (Exclusive)
“Ant-Man” is produced by Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige, with Louis D’Esposito, Alan Fine, Victoria Alonso, Michael Grillo and Stan Lee serving as executive producers.
Reed’s creative team also includes Oscar-winning cinematographer Russell Carpenter (“Titanic”), production designer Sheppard Frankel (“Identity Thief”) costume designer Sammy Sheldon Differ (“X-Men: First Class”), visual effects supervisor Jake Morrison (“Thor: The Dark World”), stunt coordinator Jeff Habberstad (“Iron Man 3”) and six-time Oscar nominee, special effects supervisor Dan Sudik (“Marvel’s The Avengers”). The editors include Dan Lebental (“Iron Man”) and Colby Parker Jr. (“Lone Survivor”).
Also read: ‘Ant-Man’ Delay Forces Patrick Wilson and Others to Exit
Marvel’s upcoming releases includes “Avengers: Age of Ultron” on May 1, 2015, “Captain America 3” on May 6, 2016, and “Guardians of the Galaxy 2” on July 28, 2017.
Marvel’s “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” recorded the largest April opening of all time at $95 million, while “Guardians of the Galaxy” recorded the largest August opening of all time with $94.1 million. Both films were the #1 film in the world when they were released on April 4, 2014 and Aug. 1, 2014, respectively.
In 2013 Marvel delivered #1 openings for “Thor: The Dark World,” which grossed over $640 million worldwide and “Iron Man 3,” which grossed over $1.2 billon worldwide and was the highest grossing film of the calendar year.