You know how you see someone on screen, and automatically think that they are just a really good actor, because there is no way on Earth that someone could be that wholesome in real life, even when starring in a movie that relies on some pretty crude humor. Well, Paul Rudd IS a really good actor, but he honestly is that wholesome. The boy next door charm that he had while we sat and talked during the Ant-Man and The Wasp media day made me smile a whole lot. Especially when our cheers to seeing him startled him a bit, and he reflexively started clapping and cheering WITH us. Wholesome y’all. He sat down and we got down to the business of questions and answers, but this is what I learned during my time with him.
Ant-Man and The Wasp is for family
When I screened the movie, I noted that this time around, I laughed a lot harder and louder than I did with the first. It was nice to see more of Cassie and Scott together on screen, and still see him get to have that slightly sarcastic, but genuinely lovable personality. He’s dealing with the fallout of Avengers: Civil War and actually dealing with it pretty well. His ex-wife, Maggie and her husband, Paxton are co-parenting with him, and seem to love him with as much force as they can. Often going to bat for him when things aren’t really going the way that they’re supposed to.
Marvel Studios ANT-MAN AND THE WASP..L to R: Cassie Lang (Abby Ryder Fortson) and Ant-Man/Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) ..Photo: Ben Rothstein..©Marvel Studios 2018
As I settled into the theater seat, I was mentally prepared to see a little more seriousness than I did. It wasn’t slapstick comedy, but even the serious portions of the film – usually delivered by Hank, Hope, Ghost, and Dr. Foster – were spoken with a sense of levity and not so much with a hard hand.
Ant-Man and The Wasp was comfortable for them to film
I remember thinking “Ant-Man?!” and soon after, “PAUL RUDD?!?!?!” when Marvel announced that they were putting the tiny superhero that packs a punch I was a bit flummoxed. I couldn’t understand how he was going to translate onto the big screen, and I worried a bit. I mean, honesty is the best policy, right? Since I’m already here, I didn’t feel that the first movie was what it should have been. Luis and Scott saved it all around, but I felt that Hope was too high strung, and wound way too tightly for my liking. In this case, it was a welcome sight to meet Evangeline Lilly and here what she had to say in regard to real people and their characters. Okay, I’m straying. The difference with this movie, Rudd said, was the fact that they were established already and people knew what to expect from the superhero and his associates. Shrinking, growing, snafus and a comedy of errors in a way. The stakes are SERIOUS for Scott, Hope and Hank, but they are still presented in a way that the entire family can understand. According to Rudd, they were able to start filming from a point of comfort, instead of one where they were establishing themselves and that part of the MCU.
It wasn’t that the first film was uncomfortable in the true sense of the word, but finding their footing in this already established Marvel Cinematic Universe was quite an interesting task, and this time around, they were certain of what they were doing and where they were going. I venture to say that they are absolutely right, and the movie was far more fluid to me than the first.
Marvel Studios ANT-MAN AND THE WASP..L to R: The Wasp/Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) and Ant-Man/Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) ..Photo: Ben Rothstein..©Marvel Studios 2018
Everyone likes Paul Rudd, and Paul Rudd likes everyone
I imagine the set of Ant-Man and The Wasp was one big family picnic, complete with super suits, green screens and supersized sets. Interviewing Paul Rudd, he often spoke about how amazing his co-stars were, including the youngest one who played his daughter Cassie all the way to the royalty of Hollywood in Laurence Fishburne and Michael Douglas. Their words were just as warm towards him, and every single one of them exuded the warmth that only truth can give.
I think that Marvel has done a great job in matching the superheroes with the personalities of the individuals playing them. Every single one. Paul Rudd doesn’t disappoint at Ant-Man and you’ll find yourself superfanning over him as the movie plays on.
Ant-Man and The Wasp opens in theaters everywhere July 6th. Make sure to snag your tickets early.