There are some gimmicks just too good to pass up. Marvel found that to be the case during the promotion leading up to the debut of the teaser trailer for Ant-Man during the pilot episode of the studio’s new television series, Agent Carter, last night.
On Jan. 2 Marvel unveiled a 17-second preview for the teaser. The catch is it was “ant-sized” and required a digital magnifying glass to see as no manner of squinting made the images any clearer. One outlet even tried enlarging the picture and guessing what was hidden in the blurry freeze frames. Thankfully the risk of crow’s feet to determined fans was averted as the “human-sized” version of the same video was released the next day. And while it may not be the last promo to be put under the microscope, Marvel tweeted the first poster for the film saying “Heroes come in all sizes…” featuring a miniscule representation of the latest costumed Avenger to take the screen.
Paul Rudd plays Scott Lang, a thief who is recruited by inventor Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) to embrace his inner-hero and protect the technology behind the spectacular Ant-Man suit, which allows the wearer to shrink to mere inches and communicate with insects. Most of the trailer is structured around Pym’s monologue in which he makes his pitch to Lang, who was recently arrested after his latest heist. “Second chances don’t come around all that often,” says Pym. “I suggest you take a really close look at it.” Though it’s not specified here, in the comics Lang steals to pay for his young daughter’s costly medical treatments.
Much like the first Avengers: Age of Ultron trailer the tone of this nearly two-minute preview is sombre, indicating the valued inclusion of substantial character development. The focus on story will be paired with what could be a very different style of action due to the variation in scale as Lang is shown hitching a ride on what appears to be a wasp.
Though it’s not all serious as the closing scene shows Lang responding to Pym’s appeal that he “be the Ant-Man.” “One question — is it too late to change the name?”
Fans became weary of the project after director Edgar Wright, who had been working on the film since 2006, walked away just two months before shooting was set to begin in 2014, followed by crew heads of departments. But new director Peyton Reed seems to have pulled it together with new writing credits going to Rudd and Adam Mckay.
Also shown in the trailer are Evangeline Lilly, who plays Pym’s daughter, Hope Van Dyne, and Corey Stoll who portrays Darren Cross a.k.a. the film’s villain, Yellowjacket. Other cast members include Bobby Cannavale, Michael Peña, Judy Greer, Tip “Ti” Harris, David Dastmalchian, Wood Harris and Jordi Mollà. The film opens July 17, 2015.
