The film will star Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Pena, Corey Stoll and Patrick Wilson.

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Wain has worked with Rudd before, most recently on the writer-director's comedy They Came Together, which hits theaters on June 27. Rudd also starred in Wain's Wanderlust, Role Models, and The Ten.

Wain would be a strong choice because of his longstanding relationship with Rudd. Sources say that the single biggest thing Marvel is looking for is someone who can work with the talent already assembled. Wain is repped by WME and Principato Young.

Reed has been planted firmly in the comedy world up to this point, helming Bring It On, Down With Love and The Break-Up. His most recent film, Yes Man, starred Jim Carrey as a man who decides to say "yes" to everything. Reed is repped by WME and Sloane Offer.

Reed is no stranger to the Marvel universe, having developed Fantastic Four at Fox for years before Tim Story took over the property, which launched two films under Story's direction. (Fantastic Four is now being rebooted.)

STORY: Director Edgar Wright Exits Marvel's 'Ant-Man' Due to Creative 'Differences'

Wright was originally attached to Ant-Man, but exited on May 23, citing "creative differences." Wright's exit was a shock since the filmmaker, who would have been one of the more unique voices in Marvel's pantheon of movie directors, had been with the project since its inception in 2006, and the split occurred late in preproduction.

A search for a new director launched at once, with several helmers including Adam McKay, Ruben Fleischer and Rawson Marshall Thurber in the mix early on. McKay had entered talks for the film, but the Anchorman director abruptly decided against taking the job.

Email: Tatiana.Siegel@THR.com

Twitter: @TatianaSiegel27

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