It’s not everyday that you get to sit down with some of the stars of a huge Marvel film like Ant-Man. But a couple of weeks ago I got to do just that. During the #AntManEvent I got the chance to interview Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly from Marvel’s newest hit film Ant-Man. They talked about what it was like working together, their favorite moments of the film and how Paul felt the first time he put on the Ant-Man suit.
First let me start off by saying how completely adorable these two are! They were sweet, courteous and you could tell from the moment they walked through the door that they definitely had a chemistry. Our group of 25 bloggers were able to sit down of an exclusive interview with these two for 20 minutes to talk about Ant-Man. Here are some of my favorite moments from the interview.
Exclusive Ant-Man Interview With Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly
You are very well known for your comedy and how’s it different doing an action film?
I always felt like with, especially with Marvel movies, but just talking about this one, that it was going to be funny. They are good with levity. All of their films have funny moments but they’re not necessarily straight up comedies. And, with this one I knew that the action was going to be really good. I knew the visuals were going to be crazy good.
But, I also knew that there was this relationship that Scott Lang had with his daughter and that there was the relationship that Michael Douglas has with his daughter and that this whole thing with parents and children, that that was going to be really the thrust of the film. And that’s relatable and empathetic and something that you can hang the whole thing on. And that’s pretty dramatic.
So, that’s really what I kind of focused on, figuring you know, humor would be there in the end.
And Evangeline had a few remarks about this topic as well!
And that said, he (Paul Rudd) did not stop improving and cracking jokes through the entire film.
Evangeline How fun was it to punch him in all the action scenes?
Everyone asks me that. You know I didn’t really punch him, right? I didn’t actually punch him. I loved the take that they kept in the film because of course you never know what they’re going to use and what’s going to end up on the cutting room floor and one of his improvs was when he said “were you aiming for the head?” I was so glad that it ended up in there ’cause I love that line.
You have this extra responsibility of super girls in the Marvel universe, do you feel sort of the weight of that, you’re going to be worked up by them.
PAUL : You know, there’s certain things that if I think we stopped and really think about it could be overwhelming and we don’t have any control over a lot of stuff so I just figure I’m going to focus on doing the part as best I can and let the other things just kind of happen the way they’re going to happen and hopefully I’ll be able to adapt.
I do realize and have continually been surprised by just how many people are interested. I guess not really surprised. I know how passionate the fan base is for Marvel films and these characters. But, it’s been a whole new experience for me and thrilling and maybe just a little bit uh, overwhelming, a little bit.
Paul, what was your favorite ant?
Well, I have a very personal relationship with Anthony, which was something that we kind of put in the film and I think even giving him the name Anthony kind came around later and I thought like oh, could it be Anton? It was even almost said early on when we were working on the script before we started shooting, like oh, like maybe if we give him a number?
Just playing around, “let’s call him Anthony” and then it stuck. And you know, that idea that you can have a personal attachment to ants that you can see this film, especially kids, and really say ants are amazing and, and that one in particular, you develop a real fondness for Anthony, my favorite.
What’s your most memorable moment?
EVANGELINE: That’s the hardest question. I had a moment when I was doing a scene, a very intense emotional scene with Michael Douglas where for the first time since I had attached myself to the project, the penny dropped and I knew who was on and I was like great, good cast, everything’s good, things are coming together.
But I was thinking with an analytical mind of do I want to do this project or don’t I? And it wasn’t until I was working with him and witnessing the sort of magic that is the legend of Michael Douglas and what he brings to a film set and how he performs and what he does to the energy in the room when he performs that made me suddenly sit up and take notice and go, oh my God. I’d better bring it. I’m working with Michael Douglas and he’s a living legend and, and that was an honor.
PAUL : Yeah I never shook that feeling every single scene working with him, wow, this is acting royalty. But I remember the first time walking onto the set in the suit. And, the first time I ever put it on at a fitting was thrilling. And I felt like I was 10 years old. Every single time after that, it was whoa, I can’t believe this is so cool. And then we shot the scene where I discovered the suit for the first time, I’d stand in the bathtub and that was the first time putting it on when we were shooting it as well.
And to go from the tent, because there was a tent that I went into and had a small pit crew helping me get into it, walk on set and the camera department and everyone stopped and saw Ant Man for the first time was totally exciting. And I’ll always remember that.
What do you think the main theme of the movie as far as the parent/child relationship?
PAUL: I think redemption really is a big theme in the film and you know, I think redemption between a father/daughter and the father/daughter relationship is the powerful theme that really anchors the film emotionally. That would be my stab at it.
I like this idea that we’re dealing with all of this craziness with a suit that shrinks you down and controlling ants and all this kind of stuff, and yet this constant thing with parents and children, whether it’s with Michael or my daughter and me and Corey and Michael. This is what makes the movie more than just visual spectacle.
It’s the thing that I think everyone will relate to, you know, we’ve all had bumpy times or whatever in whatever our relationship is, with our parent or our child and that’s the stuff that I think people will relate to.
About Ant-Man
The next evolution of the Marvel Cinematic Universe brings a founding member of The Avengers to the big screen for the first time with Marvel Studios’ “Ant-Man” when master thief Scott Lang must embrace his inner hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym, protect the secret behind his spectacular Ant-Man suit from a new generation of towering threats.
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ANT-MAN opens in theaters everywhere on July 17th!