After a couple teases, including an “ant-sized” version as well as an 18-second preview-of-the-preview, Disney and Marvel tonight debuted the first actual trailer for their upcoming superhero extravaganza Ant-Man during the season premiere of ABC’s Agent Carter and online.
Starring Paul Rudd as Scott Lang, a con man who shrinks down to microscopic size to get his heist on (for good, of course), the movie will have a big act to follow when it hits theaters July 17. That’s because summer’s big opener, Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron, will likely still be drawing repeat costumers to the cineplex.
The trailer is a gripping, dramatic affair narrated by Michael Douglas, who plays original Ant-Man Hank Pym… because, well, if you have Michael Douglas in your movie you let him narrate the trailer. He sets the stage for a path to redemption for the wayward Lang: “This is your chance to earn that look in your daughter’s eyes. To become that hero that she already thinks you are.”
Meanwhile, we get first looks at the Ant-suit, the requisite shrinking scene, and the iconic Ant-Man image of our hero riding a bug. We also meet the other key characters: Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly), who may become Wasp but doesn’t in this clip; and Darren Cross, aka the film’s baddie, Yellowjacket (House of Cards’ Corey Stoll), who remains in his civilian garb here. And while the trailer’s tone is mostly serious, we finally get that Paul Rudd wisecrack (“Is it too late to change the name?”) as the kicker.
Ant-Man is directed by Peyton Reed, who took over the reins after Edgar Wright’s surprising departure ignited some fan upheaval. This enticing first look, though, should give those same fans ants in their pants to see Reed’s finished product come July.
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