Ant-Man Edgar Wright Leaves Ant-Man!! - Part 1

[Mysteryman]

Good Point.

 

[fangz]

wow, i think give Whedon a lot more credit for self discipline on Avengers. That's how it strikes me... as showing him to be a writer that knows how to reign himself in and cut out stuff that drags. That realizes what the end result is that he's going for and cuts things that don't relate to that, no matter how much he might think they are interesting for whatever reason. I'd give that credit to Whedon.

 

[Mysteryman]

^^This.

All the promotional stuff referencing all the films from Phase 1 doesn't seem to try and erase TIH but just the fact that Norton played Banner originally.

But reading all these messages and made me realise that I would love to read an unauthorised account of the MS story. Surely someone out there is working on it documenting the rise of MS and the not-so-nice things that happened.

I tend not to read unauthorized biographies of celebrities .
I would do the same with an unauthorized book about Marvel.

 

[fangz]

also TIH from what i understand about it, was not entirely Marvel Studio's movie. i think when they got it, a lot of elements were already in place. it's kind of a stepchild maybe becuz of that.

 

[guy66657]

Anyone else think the destruction of SHIELD was what broke this movie for Edgar Wright? He did mention a couple of years ago that he had to make adjustments to fit in the MCU. Perhaps losing a major aspect of the film, plus the studio-mandated tie-ins to other things (Cap, Agents of SHIELD) just got to be too much for him.

 

[TheVision]

Every filmmaker who works for Marvel should look to one person for guidance/advice: Joss Whedon.

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

After finally watching The Worlds End (twice in 3 days actually) I am even more gutted Wright is no longer on this. The guy makes great movies, I havent found any of them any less than great and TWE is 4 for 4 with me for Wright.

It makes me even more pissed that Marvel wouldnt give Wright a little bit more freedom on this.

My big problem with a few MCU movies has been they seem unable to transition between comedic scenes and emotional ones, the comedic ones often in fact ruin the emotional scenes in their movies. Wright is someone who can have you laughing one minute and crying the next and it will seem totally natural, so really Wright was the guy that NEEDED to be in the MCU as it seems the perfect marriage. But Marvel's micro-managing had to get in the way. Shame.

A real shame, I am eagerly anticipating what Wright does next, as TWE was possibly Wrights best movie yet, and this is coming from a guy who LOVED his 1st 3.

I think Ant-Man could have been something really special if Wright were still in charge, now I am barely anticipating it at all. Marvel seriously messed up here IMO.

 

[CaptainWagner]

-I think a lot of people don't realize that Wright's vision for the film is still being followed. The only parts that Marvel Studios is going to change were the parts that Wright left over, most likely alterations that needed to be made so the film would fit in the MCU. So the movie will likely still have a feel similar to Wright's other films even though Reed is directing now. And based off of Reed's past plans for the Fantastic Four, I think Antman is in good hands.

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

^Eh, I wish I had your optimism, and I hope the movie still turns out well. But its obvious they arent using some essential things from Wright's take otherwise he wouldnt have left and re-writes wouldnt have been ordered.

And trading Wright, a guy who has directed 4 very good-great movies, for Peyton Reed, a guy who has arguably never made a good movie, doesnt inspire confidence.

 

[TheVision]

I just want a really cool Ant Man film, Im not looking for some grandiose personal auteur stamp on it.

 

[Mysteryman]

I just want a really cool Ant Man film, Im not looking for some grandiose personal auteur stamp on it.

Not that An Auteurs personal stamp is a bad thing, right ?

 

[Mike Murdock]

-I think a lot of people don't realize that Wright's vision for the film is still being followed. The only parts that Marvel Studios is going to change were the parts that Wright left over, most likely alterations that needed to be made so the film would fit in the MCU. So the movie will likely still have a feel similar to Wright's other films even though Reed is directing now. And based off of Reed's past plans for the Fantastic Four, I think Antman is in good hands.

While I share your optimism, we don't know just how much that is. It could be anything from a few odd references to the entire final act to the antagonist in the film. I don't think they're going to take a hatchet and chop off everything that reminds people of Wright, but I do think it's a noteworthy percentage of the movie.

 

[TheVision]

Not that An Auteurs personal stamp is a bad thing, right ?

If a director can do that within Marvels universe and the producers dig it then thats great.

 

[Dyson]

For those who are still bitter about Edgar Wright not directing "Ant-Man" should give this article a read.

http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Believe-Marvel-Then-Believe-Peyton-Reed-Ant-Man-43366.html

An Edgar Wright directed "Ant-Man" probably would have been a very cool, very memorable superhero movie, but in the end, the hiring of Peyton Reed as director and Adam McKay as writer tells me Marvel Studios does know what they are doing and they want to make sure these comic book films - from "Iron Man" to "Captain America" to "Ant-Man" - all work together as a bigger picture. I think Wright's "Ant-Man" would have worked best as a solo film and not as part of the MCU... and remember that most of us have embraced the MCU and support the continuation of this large, epic puzzle.

I think we can all admit Reed does not have a stronger background of memorable films as Wright does, but Reed is a talented director who knows how to work well with a large studio team, work well with already cast actors and he does know how to play along with others on a single vision aka look at Reed's TV background. Plus, Reed is now nearly a month into his prep and will get another month or so for prep before shooting starts. It's not like he was hired and had something like 3 days to prep. And when filming starts in August, Reed will be playing with a great cast and lots of talented crew members to help bring "Ant-Man" to life. Marvel wants to make this film work.

I have no doubt that Reed and McKay will deliver an awesome "Ant-Man", and for the Wright fans, please remember that a very large part of the script is still the same story that Wright and Joe Cornish wrote. My guess is 60% of the script Wright and Cornish wrote will stay the same while McKay is reworking the other 40%. Wright's stamp will still be on the film.

If Anthony and Joe Russo and Alan Taylor were able to deliver solid, entertaining MCU films, then Peyton Reed can do the same here. Believe in a Peyton Reed directed "Ant-Man". Colour me excited.

 

[Mike Murdock]

I'm starting to disagree with this notion that Marvel is running the movies like a television program. I'll note that the article didn't even bother to mention James Gunn. Had Edgar Wright worked out, Phase 2 would be the "quirky director" theme with Joss Wheddon, James Gunn, and Edgar Wright (with the quirky television show Russo Bros. also fitting, although with a decidedly less exciting pedigree when their movies are considered).

Rather, while this might seem hackneyed, Marvel seems to be running their movies like, wait for it, comics. In the early 2000s, Marvel sought out a lot of new creative talents to lead their works. You had Kevin Smith work on Daredevil and J. Michael Straczynski ("JMS") on Spider-Man. You had new writers like Brian Michael Bendis as well. Some of these contributions worked fabulously. The best writers were able to adapt to the big picture and work with creative control to create something that both stood on its own and contributed something to the wider universe. But, on occasions, you had simple creative differences that created a worse product. The end of JMS's run is a quite clear example of editorial meddling gone wrong. But not all creative meddling is a bad thing. It takes a clear vision to tie in multiple properties over a wide time period and draw it together into a more rewarding story. And some properties need meddling because, otherwise, Rob Liefield gets to make comics and who wants that?

I agree that Reed and McCay should have their television experience factored in. I wouldn't have felt good about the creators of You, Me, and Dupree taking on Captain America: The Winter Solider, after all.

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

Not that An Auteurs personal stamp is a bad thing, right ?

Exactly, and its not like Wright has clear differences between his films and what Marvel are trying to do. Wrights movies are a lot like what Marvel seem to be trying to aim for, with mixed success. Wrights ability to make you laugh one minute and be on the verge of tears the next without it seeming jarring is something a lot of MCU have tried to do, and some have failed at it miserably, most notably Iron Man 3 and TDW.

Really it should have been a match made in heaven, but of course Marvel got in the way of that.

I certainly dont think Reed is a bad director, but he is not the type to get you excited for a project, and he has never made movie that comes close to Wrights 4 movies IMO.

 

[Dyson]

Really it should have been a match made in heaven, but of course Marvel got in the way of that.

You make it sound like Marvel is the bad guy here. No one is the bad guy. It seems that Marvel wanted changes made to the script that fits into the MCU. Wright wanted to shoot what he had already wrote. Marvel made some changes. Wright got upset and walked. Marvel's vision of Ant-Man fits into the MCU like a glove and Wright's vision of Ant-Man is much more of a solo film.

No one is the bad guy here.

 

[Whiskey Tango]

I'm crying. Wright had 8 years, and it wasn't 8 years in some self-contained bubble, it was 8 years worth of "here's what we're doing, adapt or get the **** out" and still he couldn't manage it, despite being given time to churn out a few of his own films in the meantime. Marvel was more than fair. Boo friggin hoo, poor Ed. Sorry it didn't work out. I was upset about Ed Norton too but I got over it.

I'm sure there will be a small selection of people who want to continue to dwell on this but it's over and they should be ignored. Now lets get on with it.

 

[Dyson]

I'm crying. Wright had 8 years, and it wasn't 8 years in some self-contained bubble, it was 8 years worth of "here's what we're doing, adapt or get the **** out" and still he couldn't manage it, despite being given time to churn out a few of his own films in the meantime. Marvel was more than fair. Boo friggin hoo, poor Ed. Sorry it didn't work out. I was upset about Ed Norton too but I got over it.

I'm sure there will be a small selection of people who want to continue to dwell on this but it's over and they should be ignored. Now lets get on with it.

This.

 

[TheVileOne]

Never been all that invested in the Ant-Man project. Honestly, whatever happens happens.

I love Wright's work, but his take on Ant-Man was never one that really got me excited. Not saying it will be a bad movie. I'm sure some people look at Guardians and are like, WTF.

Even if some of these don't work out, I think Marvel will be OK.

Let's just remember, Incredible Hulk was a disappointment. Did not produce fireworks.

 

[Human Torch]

I'm crying. Wright had 8 years, and it wasn't 8 years in some self-contained bubble, it was 8 years worth of "here's what we're doing, adapt or get the **** out" and still he couldn't manage it, despite being given time to churn out a few of his own films in the meantime. Marvel was more than fair. Boo friggin hoo, poor Ed. Sorry it didn't work out. I was upset about Ed Norton too but I got over it.

I'm sure there will be a small selection of people who want to continue to dwell on this but it's over and they should be ignored. Now lets get on with it.

 

[Shakel92]

As long as the finished product is better than Iron Man 2 I will be happy.

 

[TheVision]

Whiskey Tango agree 110%

From what Ive gathered over all these discussions, Wright thought he was so special Marvel would let him do whatever he pleased. Didnt happen.

Iron Man 2: For a movie people knock as being sort of weak, its still really entertaining imo.

Ant Man has a chance to be a huge hit if they can give it that Iron Man type touch.

 

[Shakel92]

IM2 is entertaining, but not the best they've put out. I think it is the weakest link of the MCU chain. I'll be happy it if isn't their worst, and it won't be. It will surprise a lot of people.

And since it comes out just 6 weeks or so after AoU, Ant Man will probably be able to ride it's coattails to a decent box office showing.

 

[Dyson]

And since it comes out just 6 weeks or so after AoU, Ant Man will probably be able to ride it's coattails to a decent box office showing.

Agreed. This is the kind of film that I think people will get a kick out of. I can see this film doing $550 - 650 million worldwide.