Double Academy award winner Michael Douglas was never a big fan of comics but Marvel’s next superhero flick Ant-Man has converted him and how! In an interview with The Quint, the hugely popular Hollywood actor talks about finally becoming a cool dad with his part in the film and a lot more.
Douglas has survived the capricious waters of Hollywood in a career spanning more than four decades, playing smartly dressed characters in populist tales of sex, money and violence. He surprised everyone in 2013 when he played Liberace, the flamboyant Las Vegas superstar in Behind the Candelabra, at the peak of his acting agility. And in Ant-Man, he is venturing into another new territory as he steps into the role of Hank Pym, the iconic Marvel character.
“I Loved Working in Ant-Man”
It’s definitely a different role and also just a whole different experience. I’ve never been in the Marvel world before; never been in any of this kind of green screen or special effects and never had to deal with the secrecy that exists in the Marvel world. This has been a whole new experience and I loved it.
– Michael Douglas
The next evolution of the Marvel cinematic universe brings a founding member of The Avengers to the big screen for the first time with Ant-Man. Armed with the amazing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, master thief Scott Lang must embrace his inner hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym, who protects the secret behind his spectacular Ant-Man suit from a new generation of towering threats. Against seemingly insurmountable obstacles, Pym and Lang must plan and pull off a heist that will save the world.
“I’m Not a Comic Book Fan”
Douglas admits that he wasn’t a comic-book fan as a kid, but after he accepted the role, Marvel sent him hardcover comic books and he developed an appreciation for both the art form and one of its master storytellers.
The books were beautiful presentations of all of Stan Lee’s work and since then I have become a tremendous fan. I am amazed at what he does. I maintain a fan Facebook page that I’ve had for a couple of years now, and I got a sense of Stan Lee’s power when I did a selfie with him on set and posted it on the page. I got over 100,000 hits. Reading the books really helped me get more of a sense of Hank Pym and the incredible legacy of Marvel comics.
– Michael Douglas
He found the comic books very helpful for researching his character. “It solidified the character of Dr. Pym for me by understanding his background and what kind of scientist he was,” says Douglas. “He did incredible research and developed this incredible serum that allowed a human being to reduce to the size of an ant with human strength and then right back up to full-size again.”
“Before Ant-Man I Had No Career in My Kids’ Eyes”
Douglas states that he is looking forward to seeing the completed film and that more importantly his kids are looking forward to it as well.
Before Ant-Man, I had no career in my kids’ eyes. I’ve never done a picture as far as they were concerned. Two Academy Awards meant nothing. Now I’m cool. I am cool to my son and to his friends, too. This is the first time I’ve ever heard my kids say, ‘Can we go to the premiere?’ So they’re going to come.
– Michael Douglas
Offering a hint of what is in store for audiences when the movie hits the theatres, Douglas says, “In Ant-Man, we’re going between the cracks and it’s a world you have never seen before. It’s a wild ride with a good giggle.”
Directed by Peyton Reed, the film has Paul Rudd as Scott Lang aka Ant-Man, Evangeline Lilly as Hope van Dyne, Corey Stoll as Darren Cross aka Yellowjacket, and Michael Douglas as Dr. Hank Pym. The film releases in India in English as well as Hindi dubbed versions on July 24, 2015.
(The writer is a journalist and a screenwriter who believes in the insanity of words, in print or otherwise.
His Twitter handle is: @RanjibMazumder)
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