More info on why Edgar Wright left Ant-Man

As we all know, back in May Edgar Wright left the director’s chair on Ant-Man, next year’s Marvel movie about a size-shifting superhero, after having spent eight years working on the project. Many (including us) were heartbroken that he left the movie, as the thought of a full-on superhero movie from Wright – known for his unique style that can be seen in Shaun of the Dead, Scott Pilgrim vs The World and The World’s End – was an exciting one not just for Marvel fans, but for any cinephile. Wright still hasn’t spoken about the split, while Kevin Feige, head producer over at Marvel Studios, released an unsatisfying ‘creative differences’ statement – but now, thanks to one of Ant-Man‘s stars, we know a little bit more about what led to Wright’s decision to leave.

Evangeline Lilly, who’ll be playing Hank Pym’s daughter Hope Van Dyne in Ant-Man, divulged some information as to why she believes Wright uncoupled from Marvel in an interview with Buzzfeed. Read quotes from her below:

‘[I was] shocked… And mortified, at first. Actually, I wouldn’t say mortified. You know, a creative project is a moving target. You never end up where you start. But we all, I think, signed on very enthusiastically with Edgar. We were excited to work with Edgar. We were fans of Edgar. So when the split happened, I was in the fortunate position where I had not signed my contract yet. So I had the choice to walk away, and I almost did. Because I thought, Well, if it’s because Marvel are big bullies, and they just want a puppet and not someone with a vision, I’m not interested in being in this movie. Which is what I was afraid of.

I saw with my own eyes that Marvel had just pulled the script into their world… I mean, they’ve established a universe, and everyone has come to expect a certain aesthetic [and] a certain feel for Marvel films. And what Edgar was creating was much more in the Edgar Wright camp of films. They were very different. And I feel like, if [Marvel] had created Edgar’s incredible vision — which would have been, like, classic comic book — it would have been such a riot to film [and] it would have been so much fun to watch. [But] it wouldn’t have fit in the Marvel Universe. It would have stuck out like a sore thumb, no matter how good it was. It just would have taken you away from this cohesive universe they’re trying to create. And therefore it ruins the suspended disbelief that they’ve built.’

So there you go. Lilly’s information here clears things up a bit; there’s not much in terms of actual details, and the exact differences between Wright’s version and the one we’re going to get, but now we know that Marvel Studios were trying to keep Ant-Man within the same tone as the rest of the MCU’s movies. Whether or not that’s enough reason to struggle with a director to achieve a personal vision is, of course, another matter – but for now, and until we hear it straight from Edgar Wright’s mouth, we can rest assured we may end up getting a great movie after all.