So why is Adam McKay not directing Marvel's Ant-Man?
The merry-go round that is going to be forever known as 'The Marvel Ant-Man Saga' continues to spin and spin and spin.
At first Edgar Wright was the original helmer, who suddenly quit the project about a week ago, citing creative differences. Then the internet was a buzz with who'd succeed Wright— with most industry expert predictions being totally wrong. Then from out of nowhere, Adam McKay (Anchorman) became the the unlikely favourite to land the position. But this past weekend, McKay also rejected the job— leaving Marvel still hunting to find Wright's successor. So why didn't McKay accept Marvel's offer?
The situation has became much clearer, as McKay revealed through Twitter why he won't be making Ant-Man: "And yes, met w/Marvel. Kirby & Lee r my Lennon McCartney so it was awesome. But have other projects I'm committed to. Not sure it can work."
So, it wasn't anything to do with Marvel possibly holding too much creative control over the project, which was Wright's reasoning. It's merely down to McKay having too much on his plate at the moment. Looking at his upcoming project schedule, McKay is incredibly busy these coming few years.
The Anchorman director is likely hard at work putting together a script for The Big Short for producer Brad Pitt. Based on the Michael Lewis-authored nonfiction book, it tells the story of the crash of the housing crisis, and it would be a darkly comic shift for McKay to make in his career. Having Brad Pitt in his corner might be more beneficial that Marvel, given what Edgar Wright had to deal with.
McKay may also be trying to get Uptown Saturday Night going. That project was previously announced to star Denzel Washington and Will Smith— provided the Nick Stoller script was good enough. McKay is also attached to helm an adaptation of the popular Garth Ennis comic, The Boys and the Will Ferrell-Adam Sandler comedy, Three Mississippi. McKay's got no shortage of options, and it's sounding a lot like Marvel knew that going in. Judging by his possible schedule and his tweet, McKay was ultimately not that close to accepting the offer in the first place.
