Edgar Wright was originally in talks to direct the first Ant-Man movie for Marvel Studios. According to the director, his original pitch was much different from the final product, with Scott Lang being an unabashed bad guy at the start of the film.
It’s clear that Edgar Wright had much different plans than Marvel for the MCU’s Ant-Man franchise. A few months back, the director gave fans their first taste of the scrapped project, revealing the film’s original heist included a cast of 15 criminals. Wright recently revealed more details about the scrapped project on Instagram, saying that Scott Lang was an actual criminal in his script:
“Having signed an NDA when I left, there’s not a lot I can say,” Wright explained. “I guess the biggest (pun intended) differences in our screenplay was it was self-contained and didn’t have cameos from other MCU characters (apart from an end tease) and it was much more of a crime heist movie, with interlocking robberies and heists throughout, a little like Donald Westlake’s The Hot Rock.”
“I think the crucial difference too was that (like the original comics) Scott Lang was an actual criminal at the start of the film and not already a 100 percent good guy,” He continued. “We felt it was a more satisfying redemption arc if he went from criminal to hero. Lots more to say, but can’t for legal reasons!”
It certainly would have been interesting to see Edgar Wright’s take on Ant-Man, especially given the relatively disappointing bookend to the character’s trilogy with Quantumania. Though there’s no doubt that it would have been jarring to see Scott Lang, played by the ever-lovable Paul Rudd, as a bad guy, it’s possible Wright’s vision could’ve breathed new life into the MCU using its least respected franchise.
What to expect after Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
Fans of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania can look forward to more adventures featuring Scott Lang and Hope van Dyne, as the two are expected to return to the MCU. Kang also is sure to be a major player in the MCU and fans can’t wait to see how his story will unfold.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania was directed Peyton Reed from a script written by Jeff Loveness. The movie stars Paul Rudd as Ant-Man, Evangeline Lilly as The Wasp, Jonathan Majors as Kang the Conqueror, Michael Douglas as Hank Pym, Michelle Pfeiffer as Janet Van Dyne, Kathryn Newton as Cassie Lang, David Dastmalchian as Veb, Bill Murray as Lord Krylar, William Jackson Harper as Quaz, Katy O’Brian as Jentorra and Randall Park as Jimmy Woo.
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