CAST EM'!: Edgar Wright's Ant-Man

With the second draft of Joe Cornish and Edgar Wright's script for Ant-Man complete I figured I go over some updated casting ideas for the Marvel Studios film. I've come up with a list of my favorites for the roles of Hank and Janet.

Previously we've seen actors like Nathan Fillion, Alan Tudyk and Adrien Brody rumored for the role of Hank. Along with online campaigns for Neil Patrick Harris and Simon Pegg. Pegg suggesting he'd rather play the film's villain rather than Ant-Man himself. I like some of the names being mentioned but I have my own ideas as well.



DR HANK PYM - ANTMAN

Joel Edgerton: Joel is similar to Tom Hardy and Jeremy Renner as he's slowly building up a decent resume of badass roles. He seems like the gruff type of Hank that you could seriously and be threatened by. Depending on how their take on Pym if they want to get a future action star for the part Joel could be their man. (The Thing, Animal Kingdom, King Aurthur, Smokin' Aces, Star Wars: Episode II & III)


 



Jamie Bell: Jamie is an excellent young actor. I've been fascinated with his career as he's been able to go from child actor to slowly developing into an action star. Being the only solid thing about Jumpers and also being able to hold his own in Defiance alongside Daniel Craig. Bell was also involved with the Spider-Man talks so it's likely he's open to a comic book role. If I had to choose a favorite it would be Bell. Not to mention he's already had plenty of motion capture experience with Tintin which could be an asset. It's expected Ant-Man will be mostly motion capture. (King Kong, Tintin, The Eagle, Defiance, Flags of Our Fathers, Hallam Foe)





JANET VAN DYNE - WASP

Mila Kunis: Mila is best known for her television work but has become known for her adaptability taking on many different types of films. She's able to play almost any sort of role dramatic, action, comedic or otherwise. She had been linked for the Lois Lane role with many other actresses but seemed at the time the best choice. As Janet is characterized as a petite woman Kunis' stature fits that aspect along with her bubbling personality which Janet is known for. (Oz, Book of Eli, Sarah Marshall, Black Swan)







Mary Elizabeth Winstead: Winstead on the other hand has more action film roots as a majority of her films have tended to go in that direction. She also has been rumored/linked to being involved with talks for Superman, Spider-Man and The Avengers. It seems she wants to do a comic book film and is on the radar of Marvel Studios as MEW was a possible candidate for Maria Hill. (Death Proof, Die Hard 4, Scott Pilgrim, The Thing, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter)







WHO WOULD YOU CAST IN THE LEAD ROLES? LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS!

Alan Tudyk & Robin McLeavy Join Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

Alan Tudyk and Robin McLeavy have joined Timur Bekmambetov's (Wanted) Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. Robin had previously been linked to the role of Mary Todd which is being portrayed by Mary Elizabeth Winstead. Benjamin Walker, Anthony Mackie, Dominic Cooper, Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Jimmi Simpson had previously been cast in the film.

Trent Reznor Scoring & Acting In Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

It looks like Oscar-winning composer/musician Trent Reznor isn't slowing down his composing duties. He recently re-teamed with David Fincher to score The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and now has another project looking for his eerie sound. BadassDigest reports that Reznor has been hired to score Timur Bekmambetov's (Wanted) Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. He'll also play the vampire that kills Abe's mother setting the story into motion.

Jimmi Simpson Joins Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

Variety reports that Jimmi Simpson has joined Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter in an unnamed role. Simpson might be best known for his work on It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia and villainous role in Date Night. I expect Jimmi could be playing one of the evil vampires Abe has to slay. Ben Walker, Anthony Mackie, Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Dominic Cooper have been previously cast in the film directed by Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted).

Mary Elizabeth Winstead Joins Vampire Hunter

HeatVision reports that Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Scott Pilgrim, The Thing) has been cast as Mary Todd in Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. It was previously reported that Robin McLeavy was in the role but it's not the case. MEW joins Ben Walker (Abe), Dominic Cooper (Henry) and Anthony Mackie (Will). Winstead had been linked to Avengers but it's likely she could focus on Lincoln instead.

Morena Baccarin Testing For Avengers, Mary Elizabeth Winstead Also Interested

That didn't take long. Previously Sam Jackson confirmed that Nick Fury would have a female sidekick in Avengers. HeatVision confirms that Morena Baccarin (V) will be testing for the unnamed SHIELD role. Baccarin seems too unknown for the role which would include signing a nine-picture option. Her connection to director Joss Whedon might be coming into play as she co-starred in Serenity.

Other actresses are also working out deals to test include Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Scott Pilgrim, The Thing, Die Hard 4, Death Proof), Jessica Lucas (Cloverfield) and Cobie Smulders (How I Met Your Mother). Winstead has my vote out of the bunch as she's been involved with a lot more action roles. MEW had also been rumored to be in the mix for the Lois Lane role.

Considering all the actresses are brunettes it narrows down the role. It's either Janet van Dyne (The Wasp) or Maria Hill. Hill is more a sidekick to Nick Fury but Wasp could also be introduced. Considering Wasp is a founding member of the Avengers and should be included in the film.

There's also a connection to Ant-Man with Mary Elizabeth Winstead as she previously worked with Edgar Wright on Scott Pilgrim. Wright is currently working on a new draft of the Ant-Man script and might be involved with the casting of The Wasp. Since the heroine will be featured in Ant-Man as well.

More Actresses Viving For Superman, A Batman Connection?

More actresses are joining Malin Akerman as rumored candidates for Lois Lane in Zack Snyder's Superman. First off is Twilight's Kristen Stewart who is a little too young for the role but seems to have sort of clout with Hollywood. WhatsPlaying has revealed more names which includes Rachel McAdams (Sherlock Holmes), Jessica Biel and Dianna Agron (I Am Number Four, Glee). Out of the bunch I believe McAdams has the best bet she's respected and was apart of Sherlock Holmes' success.

CinemaBlend adds to the speculation including Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Scott Pilgrim, The Thing, Die Hard 4) and Kristen Bell (Sarah Marshall, Fanboys) to the mix. Personally I like the thought of Winstead as Lois Lane because of her experience working on large action films.

What I'm noticing is that some of the names were linked to Nolan's Batman films. Natalie Portman and Anne Hathaway were both linked for Superman and Dark Knight Rises. Hathaway would eventually land the Selina Kyle part in Rises. Rachel McAdams was linked to Dark Knight when Katie Holmes was being replaced. Biel had been in the list of hopefuls for Dark Knight Rises. So I would assume others who were linked could be involved with the Superman tests. The two productions are so close it seems like it would make sense for Warner Bros. to cast actors at the same time. Christopher Nolan would be involved with both productions search for actors. Expect others linked to Dark Knight Rises to be involved in the casting process.

Keira Knighley seems like the best guess for who will be next to be rumored as she was linked with Dark Knight Rises. She also was a frontrunner for the role of Peggy Carter in Captain America. It does seem like the actress is actively looking for a comic book film to star in. I wouldn't be surprised to see Knighley also connected with Superman and Avengers. Eva Green was another name involved with Batman casting rumors and is in the perfect age range to compliment Henry Cavill. Green has proven herself capable of knocking it out of the park in action roles with Casino Royale and Ridley Scott's underrated Kingdom of Heaven.



Who Do You Picture As Lois Lane?? Leave Your Comments!

The Thing Prequel Teaser Description

UGO was one of the many film blogs attending The Thing panel at the New York Comic-Con. They've just posted a detailed description of the teaser trailer which was shown. From the sounds of things it's going to have what we've all wanted. Faithfulness to the original film which filmmakers, writers and producers had been promising along with practical effects. I assume the teaser will be released online sometime this month since it's only a short teaser.


"It opens in New York (which, from our The Thing set visit, we know will open the film). Eric Christian Olsen's Adam invites Mary Elizabeth Winstead's Kate to join him on a job to Antartica, something he believes will be a life-changing for the paleontologist, an "opportunity to do something big."


The film relocates to Antartica, where the Norwegians from the original Thing are about to crack open a block of ice that contains...someTHING. The trailer intercuts a drill slowly splitting the ice with shots of the cast (Joel Edgerton, Winstead, Olsen, Lost's Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje) looking terrified over...someTHING.


A title card: "In a place where there's nothing..." The trailer doesn't skimp on alien shots: tentacles, gaping mouths, the hatch to an alien spacecraft...and it looks practical, so wipe that sweat off your brow."

First Look: The Thing Prequel

Collider has posted the first images from The Thing prequel. The sci-fi horror film stars Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Scott Pilgrim), Joel Edgerton (Animal Kingdom), Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (Bourne Identity) and Eric Christian Olsen (Beerfest). It's been reported the New York Comic-Con will be treated to the film's trailer and some footage. The trailer itself should make it's way online soon after since it will be released on April 29th and the Halloween season is perfect for it. It will follow the events of the Norwegian camp where they first discover the frozen alien ship and it's monstrous contents. I'm excited for this movie but hope it's more than just an homage like Predators.

Mary Elizabeth Winstead The New Mary Jane?

Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Scott Pilgrim, Death Proof, Die Hard 4) is one of many possible actresses testing to star opposite Andrew Garfield in the new Spider-Man reboot.