Ant-Man Michael Douglas is Hank Pym

[Airwings]

Because the fans deserve better! And because there are tons a fine YOUNGER actors who can get this done!! Douglas has had his time in the sun! He is not a Superhero or anything close to it!! This is ridiculous! This aint about ageism!! It's about common sense!

So Douglas has never been the superhero type of actor, you say?
What about villain?

 

[Shazam]

]Nick Nolte[/B] did it already 11 years ago, now I'm happy that Glenn Close, Robert Redford and Michael Douglas are onboard.
Let's hope Pitt and Cruise are offered the same before they become old men.

He played a supporting role............ he wasn't Bruce Banner

 

[cherokeesam]

Because the fans deserve better! And because there are tons a fine YOUNGER actors who can get this done!! Douglas has had his time in the sun! He is not a Superhero or anything close to it!! This is ridiculous! This aint about ageism!! It's about common sense! Drop Morgan Freeman as the Black Panther then!! Oh he's a great actor!!! Thats all that freakin matters!! Not fit!! Not type!! "Oh, he's a legend!!" Well guess what??? All of the legends have had bombs in their careers!! Even in roles that fit who they were.....

And another great question was asked.....Are the comics gonna excelerate the age of the 616 Hank Pym now, to fit this stupid movie image they are shoving at us??

It *is* about ageism.

Black Panther is a very physical character, who relies on strength and agility and youth as part of his powers. (Gi)Ant-Man does not. Hank Pym is a normal guy physically....in fact, a bit on the scrawny side, since he's a scientist instead of a fighter. There is literally nothing in Hank Pym's powerset and skillset that he wouldn't still be able to do at age 70.

 

[Endeavor]

Why is there anything wrong with that?

Is it a bad thing that we want Hollywood legends, icons, royalty (and Douglas might fit the bill for all three!) to give us their interpretations of these characters.

You guys say that like it's a bad thing.

It's not a bad thing Suzanne.
Michael Douglas is a great actor and I'm glad the guy is still around and pray he continues to get healthier.

But those of us that have long been contributing to these boards haven't been coming here waiting on news from legendary actors making movies. Many of us come here because of the characters first, especially for properties which haven't even had any movies out yet. So we expect to see something that resembles the character with which we're familiar. Why? Because, much like the film makers, we've all had little movies playing in our heads visualizing these characters in action from the moment we read their stories on the printed page and fell in love with them. When a huge deviation like this happens, it limits what can be done with the character, especially in terms of the physical feats attributed to a superhero. So yeah, that's going to ruffle a few feathers... I wish those of you that are more willing to accept these drastic changes would try to understand that other POV.

edit:That last sentence wasn't really directed at you S.

 

[Suzanne78]

Because the fans deserve better! And because there are tons a fine YOUNGER actors who can get this done!! Douglas has had his time in the sun! He is not a Superhero or anything close to it!! This is ridiculous! This aint about ageism!! It's about common sense! Drop Morgan Freeman as the Black Panther then!! Oh he's a great actor!!! Thats all that freakin matters!! Not fit!! Not type!! "Oh, he's a legend!!" Well guess what??? All of the legends have had bombs in their careers!! Even in roles that fit who they were.....

And another great question was asked.....Are the comics gonna excelerate the age of the 616 Hank Pym now, to fit this stupid movie image they are shoving at us??

Michael Douglas is a fantastic actor though. You get him into a movie like this, not only does buzz shoot up for your project, but it also opens up your doors to other actors who may never have considered playing a superhero before.

This franchise has PLENTY of other younger actors around to kick butt. ScarJo, ATJ, Elizabeth Olsen, Hemsworth, Hiddleston, Evans, Smulders. There should be a good balance of ages, genders, races. They're working on the last two, but casting Douglas gives Ant-Man a whole new gravitas that people are talking about. I mean, yesterday Hank Pym, Scott Lang, Paul Rudd, Ant-Man and Michael Douglas all trended on Twitter worldwide throughout the day because of the announcement.

Also, I really don't know how you can call it a stupid movie when we haven't seen any footage of it yet, and the dude making it routinely ends up on everyone's best of list. Wright's a pop culture visionary as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Vartha]

Wait a damn minute, wasn't Pym an old man in the AOU comic book?

What? Really?

Yup. I was born the year the Fantastic Four were created.....

 

[RockSP]

It *is* about ageism.

Black Panther is a very physical character, who relies on strength and agility and youth as part of his powers. (Gi)Ant-Man does not. Hank Pym is a normal guy physically....in fact, a bit on the scrawny side, since he's a scientist instead of a fighter. There is literally nothing in Hank Pym's powerset and skillset that he wouldn't still be able to do at age 70.

That part is disingenuous. Pym is always portrayed as the typical musclebound superhero type.

 

[Vartha]

That part is disingenuous. Pym is always portrayed as the typical musclebound superhero type.

yeah but not to the extent of say Luke Cage, Thor, or Cap.
Pym and Hawkeye are more close to the same build, I'd say.

 

[Mikelus]

Well, most people don't care about Ant-Man anyway... and because of his age, I don't think Michael will be involved that much in other sequels (Avengers, etc.). For some strange reason, Marvel has made Scott Lang their main Ant-Man, but I digress.

 

[Airwings]

Will Marvel cast Tom Hanks in one of their future films before Warner Bros steal him?

 

[Suzanne78]

It's not a bad thing Suzanne.
Michael Douglas is a great actor and I'm glad the guy is still around and pray he continues to get healthier.

But those of us that have long been contributing to these boards haven't been coming here waiting on news from legendary actors making movies. Many of us come here because of the characters first, especially for properties which haven't even had any movies out yet. So we expect to see something that resembles the character with which we're familiar. Why? Because, much like the film makers, we've all had little movies playing in our heads visualizing these characters in action from the moment we read their stories on the printed page and fell in love with them. When a huge deviation like this happens, it limits what can be done with the character, especially in terms of the physical feats attributed to a superhero. So yeah, that's going to ruffle a few feathers... I wish those of you that are more willing to accept these drastic changes would try to understand that other POV.

edit:That last sentence wasn't really directed at you S.

Thanks! t:

I can understand the POV, I can certainly understand where you're coming from, to want to see an interpretation of what you're familiar with onscreen, a character you fell in love with. I actually grappled with similar feelings about Captain America The Winter Soldier when the Russos were first announced. I really didn't think they'd get the material of that story, my favorite Cap run of recent. But I remained patient and waited for footage to roll out before making any further snap judgments.

What I don't get the condemning the movie outright/not giving the movie a chance/saying you'll watch the movie illegally and not give Marvel any money, etc. when the only information about it is the casting. You can be angry about it, but the other vitriol when we have nothing else to base it off of? To me, casting someone of Douglas' abilities means Marvel takes Hank Pym very seriously as a character. So I guess that's the difference?

Anger and disappointment are fine. But it's the other, more closeminded stuff that gets to me, seems really excessive. Just MO.

 

[cherokeesam]

yeah but not to the extent of say Luke Cage, Thor, or Cap.
Pym and Hawkeye are more close to the same build, I'd say.

And Ultimate Pym isn't even remotely musclebound.

Pym's superstrength comes from the size differential when he shrinks or grows, and it's entirely relative to his height and weight. He's never been shown as some bodybuilder or martial artist type. Again: he's a scientist.

 

[Crockett]

The movies, just like the comics they're based on should be willing to be creative and daring to put something different than what we are used to. Anyway, if the movie's successful they have the option to make one of the movie a prequel set in the 60's when Hank was younger.

 

[KDM1986]

Michael Douglas is a fantastic actor though. You get him into a movie like this, not only does buzz shoot up for your project, but it also opens up your doors to other actors who may never have considered playing a superhero before.

This franchise has PLENTY of other younger actors around to kick butt. ScarJo, ATJ, Elizabeth Olsen, Hemsworth, Hiddleston, Evans, Smulders. There should be a good balance of ages, genders, races. They're working on the last two, but casting Douglas gives Ant-Man a whole new gravitas that people are talking about. I mean, yesterday Hank Pym, Scott Lang, Paul Rudd, Ant-Man and Michael Douglas all trended on Twitter worldwide throughout the day because of the announcement.

Also, I really don't know how you can call it a stupid movie when we haven't seen any footage of it yet, and the dude making it routinely ends up on everyone's best of list. Wright's a pop culture visionary as far as I'm concerned.

Very well said. I agree casting Douglas is a very big boon for marvel and Wright. I understand why some are upset but I think this will really end up paying off big for marvel.

 

[TeeKay]

Yup. I was born the year the Fantastic Four were created.....

Holy crap. Didn't know.

 

[cherokeesam]

I *don't* understand why people are upset.
a) We've known about Pym being old since 2006.
b) There's nothing in Pym's wheelhouse that *requires* him to be young.
c) It's Michael. Freakin'. Douglas.
d) None of this prevents him from being part of The Avengers, which is where he belongs.

Old Pym mentoring Young Lang works. Don't see how people think it wouldn't.

 

[Vartha]

And Ultimate Pym isn't even remotely musclebound.

Pym's superstrength comes from the size differential when he shrinks or grows, and it's entirely relative to his height and weight. He's never been shown as some bodybuilder or martial artist type. Again: he's a scientist.

True, I'm more his build lol

 

[Vartha]

Holy crap. Didn't know.

My kids love that I'm still a "geek/nerd". There ARE a lot of older people in this area that love the Marvel films over the comics.

 

[Tony Stark]

I have said from the beginning that for the MCU to work and for Ant-Man to work as a film, you couldn't do the cookie cutter Hank Pym story. Look Tony's a smart guy, Banner's a smart guy (when he's not the Hulk), you can't have another smart guy on the Avengers. There has to be a balance among the characters. Having Scott Lang is the perfect resolution to this.

I only hope since Sam Raimi stole Scott Lange's story for Spider-man 3 that people will be forgiving in that.

Michael Douglass is a fine actor, and I think will bring some weight to the film and the role. I like Paul Rudd and I think this is the chance for him to take on more serious roles, much the same that Michael Keaton was known for making comedy films and Batman took him in a direction where he could play some serious roles and no longer be thought of as "Mr. Mom".

I welcome the change and I'm curious to see how they will handle this, but it's yet another piece of the puzzle in the ever expanding MCU, and I'm happy to see them taking chances with characters like this and other actors.

 

[cherokeesam]

My kids love that I'm still a "geek/nerd". There ARE a lot of older people in this area that love the Marvel films over the comics.

I'm catching up to ya at 47.
I'm loving this era.....there's never been a better time to be a comics fan. Seeing these movies come out is something that our generation, and the generation before, could only dream about when we were kids.

 

[Tony Stark]

And Ultimate Pym isn't even remotely musclebound.

Pym's superstrength comes from the size differential when he shrinks or grows, and it's entirely relative to his height and weight. He's never been shown as some bodybuilder or martial artist type. Again: he's a scientist.

True, in fact after he beats up Janet, Cap goes after him and kicks the crap out of him as Giant man.

 

[ThePowerCosmic]

I have said from the beginning that for the MCU to work and for Ant-Man to work as a film, you couldn't do the cookie cutter Hank Pym story. Look Tony's a smart guy, Banner's a smart guy (when he's not the Hulk), you can't have another smart guy on the Avengers. There has to be a balance among the characters. Having Scott Lang is the perfect resolution to this.

I only hope since Sam Raimi stole Scott Lange's story for Spider-man 3 that people will be forgiving in that.

Michael Douglass is a fine actor, and I think will bring some weight to the film and the role. I like Paul Rudd and I think this is the chance for him to take on more serious roles, much the same that Michael Keaton was known for making comedy films and Batman took him in a direction where he could play some serious roles and no longer be thought of as "Mr. Mom".

I welcome the change and I'm curious to see how they will handle this, but it's yet another piece of the puzzle in the ever expanding MCU, and I'm happy to see them taking chances with characters like this and other actors.

I agree. I was just thinking about that the other day with having too many scientists on the team. It gets redundant, despite their expertise in different fields.

 

[RockSP]

Iyou can't have another smart guy on the Avengers.

So Black Panther can never join...? Darn.

 

[ThePowerCosmic]

"My first chance to be in a live-action movie and I'm going to be portrayed as an old man? An old man? Screw this, I'm out."

 

[cherokeesam]

I agree. I was just thinking about that the other day with having too many scientists on the team. It gets redundant, despite their expertise in different fields.

Yeah, I think The Avengers will look much better with three very different geniuses --- one a brash middle-aged celebrity, another a quiet, reclusive and paranoid Bill Bixby type, and another a distinguished "elder statesman" type.