New Marvel Superhero Movie Addresses Fatherhood:
Behind the Scenes of ANT-MAN
By Daniel K Greg, Contributing Writer
How can family and friends alike learn lessons of loyalty and redemption facing pending danger?
ANT-MAN, which crawls into theaters July 17th, follows super-hero and ex-burglar Scott Lang as he heists a major technology company of its shrinking technology to prevent world domination by an evil organization. Directed by Peyton Reed and starring Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas, and Corey Stoll, the superhero film explores redemption, role models, and loyalty to friends whilst facing true evil and standing up to those who do wrong.
During a press junket which MOVIEGUIDE® attended; the actors, producer, and director of ANT-MAN answered some questions regarding the themes and family values of the film.
Paul Rudd, typically a comedy actor for films with adult themes commented on his excitement to be a Marvel Superhero:
“As a parent, the look on my kid’s face when he’s watching [an ANT-MAN sneak preview]. . . I’ll never forget: as soon as it ended, he just looked at me, and he’s like, “That’s awesome!’ . . . I’ve never experienced that, and so it’s so cool to be able to share this with my own family, and especially my son.”
Rudd stayed upbeat throughout the conference, at one point answering a journalist’s cell phone that rang and asking the caller if was okay for him to have a few more minutes to talk.
One of the most intimate relationships in the film was the father-daughter element between Paul Rudd’s character, Scott Lang and his daughter. Producer Kevin Feige commented on this:
“Well, that relationship is right out of the comics. Scott Lang’s character has a daughter named Cassie in his original story. In the books, it’s tied directly to his desire to help his daughter and that’s the reason that he sort of resorts to crime to try and do that. We’ve never had a hero in any of the 11 films leading up to this, who’s motivation involved a child or involved a son or daughter. So that felt again like a reason to do this film now, which was very meaningful to us.”
This added element of passion to provide for a child was a very welcome and fresh addition to a modern superhero movie.
When actress Evangeline Lilly was asked about what young girls in the audience should look for to relate to in her character she responded:
“My supersuit was my power suit that I go to work in as a high level scientist as the chair of the board of a very powerful corporation, and I do think that is a fantastic example for young women. Marvel is actually doing this incredible campaign where they put on a competition for young women in America, to create scientific gadget projects and promote the math and sciences for young women and young girls. They have really put a lot of heart and love into that. They did it a couple of years ago also, and I was happy to be the face for that campaign. Playing the role of a female scientist in a world, where most scientists are men, is a great role to play! . . . I want parents of young girls to come up to me after the showing and say, ‘Our daughter idolizes you, you’re her hero.’”
The cast’s experience as parents and the desire to uphold the strong values that ANT-MAN puts forth was apparent at the junket.
ANT-MAN comes out July 17, 2015!
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
