Unlike Patrick Wilson, Matt Gerard and Kevin Weisman, who all departed the project soon after the Scott Pilgrim helmer bowed out, Lilly DID sign on. In a diplomatic response to why Marvel elbowed Wright off the pic, she went on to defend the comic studio’s overall plan:
I mean, they’ve established a universe, and everyone has come to expect a certain aesthetic [and] a certain feel for Marvel films. And what Edgar was creating was much more in the Edgar Wright camp of films. They were very different. And I feel like, if [Marvel] had created Edgar’s incredible vision — which would have been, like, classic comic book — it would have been such a riot to film [and] it would have been so much fun to watch. [But] it wouldn’t have fit in the Marvel Universe. It would have stuck out like a sore thumb, no matter how good it was. It just would have taken you away from this cohesive universe they’re trying to create. And therefore it ruins the suspended disbelief that they’ve built.
Remaining loyal to Marvel’s cookie cutter franchise gold is obviously something the studio will insist upon for its newest directors. Their established cinematic universe has been slowly building. From every stand-alone instalment dotted with easter eggs, to the explicit ties between sequels, their intentions are to form a cohesive body of films that all represent their slick, big-screen brand.
So, really, why bother enlisting innovative directors? Oh, that’s right, they already did that with James Gunn. Which poses the question; if the quirky Guardians Of The Galaxy was such a massive smash, then why couldn’t they take a similar chance on Edgar Wright?
In another snippet of Ant-Man news to wrap things up, HeyUGuys landed a scoop concerning Judy Greer’s role in the flick. During their exclusive chat, the actress confirmed what many fans had already pieced together: she’s playing Cassie Lang.
“I’m Paul Rudd’s estranged ex-wife. We have a daughter together and our relationship is, well, estranged, but I feel like my character is still rooting for him to succeed. I guess that’s about as much as I can say. They gave us all these papers of things we’re allowed to say and things we’re not allowed to say, and I left them in Atlanta. Sorry!”
Ant-Man arrives in theatres on July 17th, 2015.
