According to Latino Review, Marvel handed Wright and co-writer Joe Cornish a bunch of script notes several months ago, asking for adjustments to “the morality of the piece” and the inclusion of “franchise characters.” The dynamic duo produced new drafts accordingly, apparently having found a way to do so without compromising their artistic vision for the film. Having delivered their new versions, it is said that Marvel then handed those drafts to “two very low credit writers,” who performed a major re-write – effectively removing any trace of Wright and Cornish. Not being his movie anymore, Wright walked. Allegedly.
Of all the Ant-Man rumours floating around the ether this weekend, this is the only one that makes any sense. Firstly, Latino Review claims to have corroborated it. Secondly, it fits with the studio statement citing “differences in their vision of the film.” Thirdly, and most stunningly, both Simon Pegg and Joss Whedon (yes, the man who is currently directing Marvel behemoth Avengers: Age Of Ultron) have taken to their Twitter accounts in support of Wright – suggesting that he has indeed opted to maintain his artistic integrity, rather than bow to Marvel’s mighty dollar sign.
But, if this turns out to be true, some deeply troubling issues now arise for the hitherto all-conquering Marvel. Firstly, there’s the movie. To be clear, Edgar Wright has put over eight years into the development of this project. The studio has stated that the release date will not be changed – it is still opening on July 17, 2015. That means Marvel has to find a director willing to step in and execute a studio-approved vision, on top of the visually unique work already completed by Wright. That director has to hit the ground running, shoot the movie and complete all the effects, editing and sound work on a summer tentpole film in a little over a year. In addition, they will be working with a script that has now passed through so many hands that any singular artistic voice will have been erased. The chances of this film not being a mess of Green Lantern proportions are reducing by the hour.
Then, there is the PR disaster. Up until now, the inner-workings of the Marvel machine have been a closely guarded secret. There have been hints and comments made, of course, but generally speaking, everything happens behind closed doors – and stuff that gets out, does so under controlled conditions. This incident is threatening to blow the lid off that. If Edgar Wright has indeed left Ant-Man because Marvel essentially put his script to committee, then this potentially represents the first real misstep on their part. It would be confirmation of the growing sense that they have finally taken the turn everyone predicted they were taking – and are placing profit over and above the artistic vision of writers and directors who have already proven themselves to be massively talented and popular. Maybe Scott Pilgrim didn’t break any records on its opening weekend, but who doesn’t love a Cornetto movie? If Marvel has become so big that it chooses to avoid all perception of risk by removing nuance and flair from its projects, then all that is left is homogenised, pre-packaged blandness that anyone can churn out.
The evidence is certainly supporting Latino Review’s version of events at the moment. Whether you buy into that or not, the fact remains that things are not looking good for Ant-Man. It’s an obscure character, it’s lost its director, and – unless they’re bringing in Steven Spielberg – there is nobody with the visual flair and experience to pick up that baton effectively enough and make a smooth run to release next summer.
It’s unfortunate for the Ant-Man cast – including Paul Rudd and Michael Douglas – who apparently do not have the same contractual option to leave that Wright just exercised. While they are now in a difficult position, I’d like to think that Edgar Wright is reclined on a lawn chair somewhere, integrity firmly intact, enjoying a Cornetto, and already planning his next brilliant cinematic treat.