STACK NZ Dec #69

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with MICHAEL DOUGLAS

Is this your first superhero movie? MICHAEL DOUGLAS: I’ve never done an effects movie before, so this is my first. I was very envious of Jack Nicholson when he played the Joker and Danny DeVito when he played the Penguin. I remember them telling me how much fun it was, so I was very excited to add at least one of these super-action superhero pictures to my résumé. Ant-Man is more light-hearted in tone than some of the other movies in Marvel Cinematic Universe.Was it the humour that attracted you to this superhero project? The humour was definitely appealing, but I was more interested in the idea of being in an effects movie. I was also really interested in being in a studio tent-pole film after a few years of being more involved with indie pictures. I’m certainly overwhelmed by the success that Marvel has had and how well they do these movies. It’s been a joy to watch and study how they mold a picture together. What do your children think of your role in Ant-Man?Were they excited to see their father in a superhero blockbuster? This movie gives me a new credibility with my son and his buddies, which is great. Up until now, most of my career has been R-rated, so neither my kids nor any of their

There’s a fatherhood theme that runs through the film. How does that add to the movie’s appeal? I thought it gave the movie a lot of heart. It’s certainly been an issue that was touched on with Iron Man to some degree, but I don’t think to the level that it is in Ant-Man. I think the complexities of my relationship with my daughter, Hope, and the parallel relationships that Scott Lang [played by Paul Rudd] has with his family are very interesting. I think it grounds the picture and gives it an emotional level that is viable. It’s an asset.

What do you think of Paul’s performance as Ant-Man? Paul Rudd is great. He brings an everyman quality to the superhero. He’s got a great self-deprecating sense of humor and he worked his way into unbelievable shape for the role. He doesn’t try to play it smart; he just has an everyman quality about him, which I think is very,

friends have seen a whole lot of what I’ve done. My 14-year-old’s

reaction was like an agent. He said, “You know what, Dad? This could be a whole new audience for you.” I took that to heart and here I am.

very appealing. When you watch him, as the character rises to the qualities of being

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