Why Did Paul Rudd Decide to Play “Ant-Man?”

Buena Vista(NEW YORK) — Comic actor Paul Rudd may seem like an unusual choice for the superhero lead in Marvel’s new action adventure, Ant-Man. But Rudd thinks that’s exactly what filmmakers were going for.

“Marvel seems to have this history of casting people and putting people in films that you would not necessarily associate with that kind of thing,” Rudd told Nightline. “I think that was part of the appeal for them, that I had never done anything like this. It was certainly part of the draw for me.”

In fact, Rudd helped co-write the script, adding his trademark sense of humor and giving this adventure film a comedic twist. “I mean, it is funny,” he said, laughing. “Look, I’m riding around on an ant.”

Unlike Marvel’s other larger-than-life action heroes, such as Wolverine or The Incredible Hulk, Rudd’s character, Scott Lang, is a tiny superhero who can shrink down to the size of an ant, but with superhuman strength.

“Most people aren’t familiar with Ant-Man, first of all,” Rudd said. “But then when you tell people, ‘Well, he shrinks to the size of an ant,’ basically that means you’re invisible.”

To play Ant-Man, Rudd had to strip down a little in the movie to suit up, which he said was “a great motivator” for getting in shape. “I certainly exercised and trained. …[Ate] little carbs. No cookies. No alcohol,” he added. “My suit was real. …I am a little biased, but I think it’s the best-looking suit.”

After starring Ant-Man, Rudd joked he has a new-found appreciation for ants. “I have a total, total respect for ants,” he says. “I would never flick them. I don’t smush them. I don’t set ant traps. I let them alone. They’re my brothers and sisters.”

Marvel’s Ant-Man opens Friday.  Marvel and ABC News are both owned by The Walt Disney Company.


ABC US News | World News

Copyright © 2015, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.