A Not-So-Tiny Problem. Edgar Wright No Longer Directing ANT-MAN

After eight years of hard work on Marvel’s tiniest Avenger, Edgar Wright’s time with Ant-Man is done. It was reported today that the Shaun of the Dead director and Marvel have parted ways on the project due to “differences in their vision of the film.” Wright’s exit will not affect its planned July 17, 2015 release date, and Marvel is reportedly looking for a new filmmaker to take the reins. This is the second time a director has been replaced on a Marvel Studios movie, after Patty Jenkins on Thor: The Dark World.

Sound the alarms, everyone! The Marvel Studios boat finally got punctured, and it’s only a matter of time before the whole thing sinks! Okay, it’s not bad, but this whole thing is curious. Wright had been working on Ant-Man since 2006, two years before Iron Man kicked off the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Clearly the project meant a lot to him, so what could have changed? Did Marvel start to get too controlling? There were rumblings that director Jon Favreau was unhappy with the company’s interference during Iron Man 2, which may have prompted his decision not to direct Iron Man 3. Perhaps they pulled something similar with Wright on Ant-Man.

There is also a rumor, which has not been confirmed yet, that Wright was relieved of command because he was behind schedule, and Marvel “lost their confidence in his ability to manage a production of this size.” This would make sense, although one wonders if everything would have been fine if they had kept Ant-Man‘s original November release date.

Whatever the reason, Marvel had better find a new director fast. It may not come out for over a year, but production needs to start soon if they want to keep that July release date. As for Wright, it sucks that we won’t see his vision for Ant-Man come to fruition, but I have faith Marvel will find someone who will churn out a solid product. Still, with all the unusual and unique films Wright’s directed, it would have been nice to see another Marvel film on the weirder end of the spectrum. I guess Guardians of the Galaxy make due on that front.

SOURCE: Variety