'Ant-Man' Sequel News & Updates: Peyton Reed Returns to Direct Follow-Up Film

Director Peyton Reed has officially signed on to helm a follow up to his Marvel Cinematic Universe entry, the Paul Rudd-starrer "Ant-Man."

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Reed had been in talks with Marvel and Disney to direct the "Ant-Man" sequel which reportedly would be entitled "Ant-Man and the Wasp."

Now, sources allegedly told Deadline that Reed has officially agreed to shepherd the upcoming sequel to success as he did the first movie.

"It definitely shouldn't come as a shock that the director who helped shepherd that success might be returning for that sequel. Sources tell Deadline that Peyton Reed is now in talks with Disney and Marvel and to direct Ant-Man and Wasp," the report read.

According to the outlet, Reed become "Ant-Man's" director later in the pre-production process as a last-minute replacement for Edgar Wright who allegedly left the project due to "artistic differences" in May 2014.

This did not pave well with fans of the director, who was dubbed as a "beloved geek icon," because they saw it as "evidence of disrespect for Wright's artistic sensibilities."

However, Reed had been quick at winning them over after he revealed his inner "nerd" during the 2014 Comic-Con where he showed some drawings of his portrayal of the character.

Fortunately, the film did well in the box office with hefty $455 million earnings for Disney and Marvel from ticket sales worldwide.

This includes some $178 million from U.S. ticket sales, lending a place at the top 10 movies of the year in the U.S. as well as a big opening weekend in China with $43.2 million.

With that in mind, "Ant-Man and the Wasp" which would be released in July 2018 should be in good hands considering how Reed handled the first movie.

It would star Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly who would be reprising their roles as Ant-Man and the Wasp.

According to Variety, Marvel boss Kevin Feige would be producing the sequel though there had been no writer tapped to pen the script yet.

Scriptwriters for the first film include Joe Cornish, Adam McKay, Rudd and Wright who cannot be expected to do the job since he quit.

Aside from "Ant-Man and the Wasp," the MCU would be ushering more epic comic-based movies including "Captain America: Civil War," the Soldier's third "solo" film where Rudd's "smallest character" would be appearing.

Other MCU characters who would be getting their "solo" films are "Captain Marvel" and the "Black Panther."