Ant Man: McKay's Getting The Job--No He Isn't

AICN says that director Adam McKay ("Anchorman") has reportedly won out over Rawson Marshall Thurber and Ruben Fleischer to replace Edgar Wright at the helm of Marvel's "Ant-Man".

The trio were named as revealed as candidates yesterday, with the offer to McKay reportedly made almost at the same time.

A deal is expected to be inked quickly as Marvel intends to keep its July 17th 2015 release date-- Production will have to begin ASAP.

 "Guardians Of The Galaxy" director James Gunn took himself out of the running for the gig earlier this week.

In the comics, Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) is a scientist who invents a substance that allows him to change his size. Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) steals the original Ant-Man Pym's equipment and uses it to commit crimes but ultimately becomes a hero.

McKay's working relationship Rudd, on the two "Anchorman" films , reportedly played a significant role in the decision to hire him.

Former "Lost" star Evangeline Lilly is tipped to play the female lead. It is unclear who Lilly would play, however the character would appear in more than just this film. Rumors had Rashida Jones and Bryce Dallas Howard up for the part as well.

Though he lost out on a role to Michael Pena, actor Clifton Collins, Jr. he is still in the film. The "Pacific Rim" and "Star Trek" actor, did a cameo as a vegan police officer in Wright's "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World," and has reportedly been cast in a unspecified role. Pena's role is thought to be that of a tough Latino character who has a lot of physical action scenes in the movie. Matt Gerald will play a villain, though it's unclear if it's as 'White Power Dave' which he played in  Marvel's 14-minute short film that appeared on the February 25th Blu-ray release of "Thor: The Dark World" called All Hail the King.

 Watchmen and The Conjuring star Patrick Wilson also stars in the film, but details of that role are unknown. Corey Stoll also stars.

Rudd and Joseph Gordon-Levitt were both considered for the Lang role, but the latter is now doing an adaptation of author Neil Gaiman's  popular comic book series Sandman, with "Man Of Steel" writer David S. Goyer. Rudd is considered a more natural fit by the suits.

Wright and Joe Cornish co-wrote the script

Production is scheduled to take place in Georgia.

UPDATE:  McKay Pulls Out of 'Ant-Man' Director Negotiations--Talks began with McKay in earnest on Friday but the director abruptly decided against taking the job. The decision is said to be his alone.