The trailer for “Ant-Man” reinforces something we already knew: Marvel has no qualms about investing in odd superheroes.
The movie, slated for a July 17 release, centers around Scott Lang (played by Paul Rudd), his mentor Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas), and their quest to protect the mysterious “Ant-Man” technology, which allows the user to shrink in size and increase in strength. Oh, and it also allows the user to communicate with insects.
Yep. It’s a very weird plot.
But as 2014’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” proved, audiences are willing to watch oddball superhero movies. To date, ‘Guardians’ has pulled in over $772 million worldwide.
Despite its strange plot, the “Ant-Man” trailer strikes the notes we’ve come to expect from our superhero movies: reluctant protagonist must step up, protect his family (and us!) from a looming threat. In the process, he learns that he was a hero all along.
By wrapping something weird in something familiar, Marvel is easing audiences into the idea that ‘Ant-Man’ is a movie they’d pay to see, despite its unusual plot. It also helps that Rudd is the film’s star.
As strange as it is to say, Paul Rudd may have been a brilliant casting choice.
He’s built a career on charming self-deprecation, and it’s apparent that that quality will be called upon a lot in “Ant-Man.” In order to carry the movie, Rudd is going to have to periodically throw a wink and a nod to the audience, to let them know that, yes, what’s going on is very weird.
Luckily for us, Marvel isn’t afraid to let its freak flag fly.
