Signs are pointing to a tiny, little-known comic book superhero being the first big-screen blockbuster to film at Pinewood Atlanta Studios in Fayetteville.
Though nothing has been confirmed officially, the movie buzz has lit up with a report from production industry clearinghouse KFTV.com that “Ant-Man” will be the first big movie filmed here.
If it turns out that “Ant-Man” is the big flick, there are some facts about the movie that Marvel Studios has already released. It will star Michael Douglas and Paul Rudd, with Douglas taking the role of scientist Hank Pym, who in the comics developed a process to shrink himself that was subsequently used by Scott Lang, who will be portrayed by Rudd.
“Ant-Man” will be released July 31, 2015, several months behind the blockbuster “Avengers: Age of Ultron.” As it turns out, the comic book story of Ant-Man has the tiny hero being an original member of The Avengers.
According to Marvel lore, Pym was the first Ant-Man, but Lang later stole Pym’s body-shrinking technology in a scheme hatched to rescue a kidnapped physician to help save his daughter from a fatal heart condition. Because Lang would use the technology for good, Pym ultimately gave it to Lang.
“Although Ant-Man is part of the juggernaut that is Marvel Studios, it is very much the baby of British director Edgar Wright, who has been working on it for years. He is at the helm to direct from a screenplay he wrote with Joe Cornish, adapted from the original Marvel comic books,” the KFTV.com story said.
“Wright is based at Big Talk Productions, the shingle behind Ant-Man, and is probably best known for his work on the ‘Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy,’ comprising ‘Shaun of the Dead,’ ‘Hot Fuzz’ and ‘The World’s End.’ Other credits include ‘Scott Pilgrim vs. the World’ and, as co-writer, ‘The Adventures of Tintin.’”
The U.K-based film trade guide said that “Ant-Man” was first intended to be filmed at Pinewood’s London studio site, but was bumped by “the sheer volume of other major features moving in and filling the big studios to capacity.”
The website, KFTV.com, describes itself as “a comprehensive guide to over 59,000 international TV, film, and commercial production service companies, location services, production equipment, crew, facilities and other specialist production suppliers in 149 countries worldwide. KFTV.com was formerly known as Kemps Film, Television and Commercial Production Services Handbook.”
“KFTV.com is used by over 100,000 users every month. These users include feature film, TV, and commercial production companies; producers; production managers; location managers; TV broadcasters; advertising agencies; facility companies; and many more. We have a global audience with users across all major territories including the UK, US, Europe, Middle East, and Asia,” the website says of itself.
