While the first trailer didn't do the best job of showing it, Ant-Man promises to be one of Marvel’s funnier projects. Helmed by Peyton Reed, who has directed movies like The Break-Up and Yes Man, written by Anchorman director Adam McKay and starring comedy veteran Paul Rudd, the shrinking superhero’s debut will include many lighthearted moments interspersed among the superhero and heist elements. One of these humorous scenes will be a sparring match between Scott Lang and Hank Pym’s daughter, Hope Van Dyne (played by Evangeline Lilly).
Empire Magazine was on set to watch this scene being filmed. It starts off in Hank Pym’s basement gymnasium, or as Rudd calls it, "the Pymnasium." Rudd is warmed up and ready for the training session - presumably getting in fighting shape so that he can get ready for his job in the Ant-Man suit. Suddenly, he is punched in the face and knocked down. He moans in pain on the ground "Ooh... Aaah... It huuurts…" Evangeline Lilly as Hope dances around him ready to go. As he tries to get up, his knee awkwardly squeaks against the mat, giving off a fart-like noise. Rudd responds, "Sorry, I’m on a very restricted diet." Always a classic.
The article also mentions that Rudd’s character will fight dirty if he has to, even if it’s against a woman. This includes punching her in the gut and throwing his headgear at her. Hope van Dyne has previously been described by Lilly as "a force to be reckoned with," and her fighting skills in this scene seem to demonstrate that perfectly. As for Scott, he’s an expert thief who has probably been dealing with a lot of shady characters over the years, but going off this description, he cares more about taking out his opponent by than he does about form. These two might be able to learn from each other. Hope can teach Scott a few techniques, and she’ll learn from Scott to…well, do whatever is necessary to win if she’s getting her ass kicked.
Co-star Judy Greer reaffirmed earlier this month that Ant-Man will include plenty of comedic scenes, citing that there was a lot of improv on set. Although January’s trailer gave us a good look at the main players and the titular character’s shrinking and ant-controlling abilities, there weren’t many funny moments outside of Scott’s question about whether it’s too late to change his newly endowed superhero moniker. Descriptions of scenes like this are a good sign that Ant-Man will be closer in tone to Guardians of the Galaxy than Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
Ant-Man will be released in theaters on July 17th.
