Ant-Man and The Wasp director Peyton Reed denies reports that the upcoming film will be a comic book romantic comedy. Marvel Studios has been testing the waters with various types of movies over the years so that their cinematic universe doesn’t feel too repetitive. For instance, Anthony and Joe Russos’ Captain America: The Winter Soldier was billed as being a political thriller, whereas Jon Watts’ Spider-Man: Homecoming was aiming for a John Hughes-esque coming of age theme - and both films ended up working out.

Ant-Man, on the other hand, was more than just a comedy movie, it was a heist film that managed to surprise audiences with its unique action scenes (thanks to the shrinking capabilities of the film’s main hero and villain). While it’s believed that Ant-Man and The Wasp - starring Paul Rudd as Scott Lang/Ant-Man and Evangeline Lilly as Hope van Dyne/The Wasp - would be similar to the first film, it was previously reported that Ant-Man 2 would actually be a romantic comedy or at least something along the lines of a rom-com. Presumably, the rom-com story would then focus on Scott and Hope’s relationship. They certainly seemed to like each other at the end of Ant-Man, after all, but a rom-com doesn’t appear to be in the cards for the sequel.

Speaking with Empire, Peyton Reed expressly refuted past reports that Ant-Man and The Wasp is a romantic comedy, saying: “It’s not a romantic comedy. The idea might enter Hope’s brain: does she need Scott Lang in her life?” So, the movie may skirt the edges of having romantic elements, but it certainly won’t be the focus (or a focus). Moreover, Reed explains why it was important this film wasn’t officially titled Ant-Man 2: “It was important to me, in this movie called Ant-Man and The Wasp, that she’s not a supporting character. She’s a lead character. She’s become a fully-formed hero.”

Hope van Dyne’s ascension to The Wasp was teased at the end of Ant-Man, once Michael Douglas’ Hank Pym realized his daughter’s potential of taking on her mother’s mantle as the flying superhero. (As a side note, Michelle Pfeiffer will be appearing as Janet van Dyne in Ant-Man 2.) That was a few years ago, and judging by the first Ant-Man and The Wasp trailer, it’s clear that Wasp is now a full-fledged superhero in her own right. After all, she does tell Scott that if he had called her, he wouldn’t have been caught by the authorities.

There’s still quite a bit that’s unclear about Ant-Man and The Wasp at the moment, such as where exactly in the timeline it takes place in relation to the Russo Brothers’ Avengers: Infinity War. What is known is that the film will have the closest connection to Infinity War. Why else would it be the first MCU movie to release after Avengers 3? Although Ant-Man and The Wasp doesn’t hit theaters for another few months, one thing is for certain: it’s not a romantic comedy.

More: Ant-Man 2 Trailer May Contain Avengers 4 Tease

Source: Empire (via CBM)

  • spider-man homecoming 2 Release Date: 2019-07-02 captain marvel Release Date: 2019-03-08 Avengers: Infinity War Release Date: 2018-04-27 The Avengers 4 Release Date: 2019-04-26 Ant-Man 2 Release Date: 2018-07-06