Peyton Reed is in negotiations to helm the Ant-Man sequel, Ant-Man and the Wasp

Peyton Reed is returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe! The Hollywood Reporter today brings word that the Ant-Man helmer has officially entered negotiations to direct the 2018 sequel, Ant-Man and the Wasp. That’s not entirely a surprise, given Reed’s enthusiasm for the source material and the immensely-positive reactions Ant-Man received. The film, which has grossed more than $454 million at the worldwide box office, received an A rating on CinemaScore.

Ant-Man and the Wasp will feature the return of Paul Rudd as Scott Lang alongside Evangeline Lilly as Hope Van Dyne. The movie will debut on July 6, 2018, the original release date for Marvel’s Black Panther. Black Panther has been moved to a February 16, 2018 release.

The other films for Marvel’s Phase Three include Captain America: Civil War on May 6, 2016, Doctor Strange on November 4, 2016, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 on May 5, 2017, their Untitled Spider-Man Film on July 28, 2017, Thor: Ragnarok on November 3, 2017, Avengers: Infinity War Part I on May 4, 2018, Captain Marvel on March 8, 2019, Avengers: Infinity War Part II on May 3, 2019, and Inhumans on July 12, 2019. There are also three mystery films set to follow in 2020.

Peyton Reed’s first feature film was 2000’s cheerleader comedy Bring It On, followed by the ’60s Doris Day and Rock Hudson sex comedy homage, Down with Love, and the Jim Carrey-led Yes Man in 2008. He boarded Marvel’s Ant-Man last June, following the departure of the previously-attached Edgar Wright (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, The World’s End).

ComingSoon.net had the chance to sit down with the Ant-Man helmer earlier this year. Check out our Peyton Reed video interview.

Are you glad to hear the Peyton Reed will be back or is there someone else you wanted to see take the director’s chair? Let us know in the comments below!

(Photo credit: Phil Lewis / WENN.com)

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