Ant-Man Director Peyton Reed on State of Troubled Marvel Project

Ant-Man director Peyton Reed has been talking about the state of his Marvel project and following in the footsteps of original director Edgar Wright, who departed the film at the last minute.

Speaking to Collider, Reed confirmed that the film would start shooting on 18 August, adding: "We're obviously deep into preparation and still making some script changes, but the script is terrific"

Edgar Wright left the project in May after clashes with Marvel Studios over the film's direction. It is believed that Marvel were hoping for closer tonal ties between Ant-Man and their other films.

Talking about making Ant-Man fit within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Reed said: "It just feels like that's what they do as movies. It reflects what they did in the comics. I always loved as a kid reading Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four would show up ... it was all about that larger universe."

Reed was joined by Anchorman writer/director Adam McKay aboard the project. McKay has been re-working the original script by Edgar Wright and Joe Cornish and Reed was asked about his new collaborator: "Adam is an insane comics fan, and a Marvel fan. He's bringing all of that to the movie"

When the film, with cast members Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Evangeline Lilly and Corey Stoll and its director, showed up at Comic Con over the weekend fans didn't react particularly favourably to what was shown.

Not particularly due to what Marvel showed off from the film, but rather because what it did show wasn't enough to curry the film some much needed favour. What's clear is that the film is fighting an uphill battle against public opinion which has sided with Wright throughout.

Ant-Man will be released on 17 July 2015.