Ant-Man Director in Talks to Return for Sequel

When Peyton Reed signed on to direct this summer's Marvel blockbuster Ant-Man, he was a last-minute replacement for Edgar Wright, who quit the project after working on it for several years. Nevertheless, the film went on to get positive reviews and strong box office sales, and it now looks as if Reed will be returning to helm the sequel.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Reed is in negotiations to direct Ant-Man and the Wasp, which is due on July 6, 2018.

The film was announced earlier this month. It was not originally on Marvel 's Phase Three schedule, and this new addition meant that several other titles moved release slots. Black Panther shifted forward from July 2018 to February that year, while Captain Marvel has moved back to March 2019.

To date, Ant-Man has made more than $454 million at the worldwide box office. It has done particularly well in China, where it has become Marvel's most successful film to date, earning $43.2 million in its opening weekend.

Ant-Man and the Wasp will see Paul Rudd return as the miniature hero, teaming up with Evangeline Lilly as his equally diminutive sidekick. In the meantime, Rudd will play the character in the next Captain America movie, next year's Captain America: Civil War.