Paul Rudd has become an integral part of the MCU as Ant-Man. His debut MCU film in 2015 provided an entertaining and fresh look at an unexplored side of the MCU, including the quantum realm, along with the character’s size control powers. The character also became a significant factor in the fight against Thanos in Avengers: Endgame.
Before Paul Rudd was cast, many other actors were rumored for the part, including Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Nathan Fillion. The latter was rumored years back, even before the first Avengers film. However, Fillion would never have chosen Ant-Man if he had been given the choice to play a Marvel superhero.
Nathan Fillion Was Not Interested to Play Ant-Man in the MCU
In the late 2000s, Nathan Fillion was booked and busy with several TV and film projects. He was starring in the hit ABC crime mystery series Castle and had starred in two of James Gunn’s early films, Slither and Super. The MCU was also gaining momentum at the time, and he was rumored to be playing Ant-Man in Joss Whedon’s Avengers film or a standalone Ant-Man film.
Fillion was interviewed by Comicbookmovie.com and was asked if there was any truth to the rumors. Fillion stated that he was too busy with many projects and wouldn’t be able to play the character even if he wanted to. Additionally, he also claimed that he wouldn’t pick Ant-Man as the hero he would like to play in the MCU. He said,
“You know what, the internet is a vast wealth of information, 90% of it false. I’m working ten months out of the year doing a television program where I don’t get a lot of opportunities to sneak out after work and do other projects, so I’m kind of locked in.
If you just look at the logistics of it, I’m really busy. Even if all of the stars were to align, I wouldn’t have time to do it. Yeah, if I had my choice, I would probably not pick Ant-Man. Nothing against Mr. Pym. But, no, I would not pick Ant-Man. He would not be my choice.”
Paul Rudd went on to play the character in the 2015 solo film Ant-Man and future MCU projects. Fillion later became a part of the MCU as he appeared in 2023’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, playing the role of Master Karja. He is set to play Guy Gardner/ Green Lantern in Gunn’s Superman.
Paul Rudd Has No Idea About Ant-Man’s Future in the MCU
Paul Rudd most recently played Ant-Man in 2023’s Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Unlike the two previous films, the film underperformed at the box office, and it was not received well by fans. The actor was asked by The Hollywood Reporter regarding Ant-Man’s future in the MCU.
Rudd simply stated that he has no idea where or when his character will appear next. He also claimed that only Kevin Feige and the heads at Marvel Studios know the answer to that. The actor said,
“I have no idea. I don’t know. Yeah, that’s not for me to answer. You’d have to go to Kevin Feige and those guys”
Rudd most recently starred in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, which received mixed reviews from critics and fans. He is set to star alongside Jenna Ortega in the upcoming dark comedy Death of a Unicorn. He will also lead the comedy film Friendship alongside Kate Mara.
