Marvel really wants to get into the Joseph Gordon-Levitt business. Months after it was revealed that Gordon-Levitt was on the short list to star in "Guardians of the Galaxy," Variety reports that the studio wants the actor to play the title character in "Ant-Man." According to the trade publication, Paul Rudd is also a major contender for the part.


In addition to "Guardians of the Galaxy," Gordon-Levitt was also rumored as a top choice to play Doctor Strange for Marvel. That claim, first made by the site Latino Review, was denied by Gordon-Levitt's representatives in an email to HuffPost Entertainment.


"Ant-Man" is Marvel's next big blockbuster, following in the footsteps of the aforementioned "Guardians of the Galaxy" (Chris Pratt wound up playing the role initially pegged for Gordon-Levitt). The film, directed by Edgar Wright, is due in theaters on July 31, 2015, almost three months after "Marvel's The Avengers: Age of Ultron" debuts. In an interview with HuffPost Entertainment, Wright explained why he was so excited about making the "Ant-Man" film.


"I think there's something in that it's a lesser known character, there's hopefully more license. For the one percent of people who are like, 'Wait, Hank Pym would never do that!' there's 99 percent going, 'Who's Hank Pym?'" Wright said, referring to Ant-Man's human alter-ego. "So, to me, the source material is great but it also frees you up to be like: I'm going to make a movie. The movie is not going to represent 50 years of Marvel comics because that's impossible. But I'm going to make a 100 minute movie -- or 110 minutes."


For what it's worth, Gordon-Levitt's schedule is currently wide open following the release of his directorial debut, "Don Jon." More on this potential casting can be found at Variety.


[via Variety]



Loading Slideshow...



  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Kris and Kylie Jenner were seen walking back to their car after having lunch in Calabasas, Calif., on Oct. 14.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Cara Delevingne was spotted during her photoshoot for DKNY in Times Square, New York City on Oct. 14.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Kate Winslet attended the Mayfair Gala European Premiere of "Labor Day" during the 57th BFI London Film Festival at Odeon Leicester Square on Oct. 14.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Britney Spears was all smiles as she visited Capital FM Radio in London, England on Oct. 14.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Jessica Simpson and fiance Eric Johnson departed on a flight at LAX airport in Los Angeles, Calif., on Oct. 13.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Snooki and Cheryl Burke went out and about in West Hollywood, Calif., on Oct. 11.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Sandra Bullock arrived for the premiere of her new film "Gravity" at the 57th BFI London Film Festival on Oct. 10.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Khloe Kardashian supported Kenny 'Babyface' Edwards as he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Oct. 10.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    "Grey's Anatomy" actress Sandra Oh stopped by the ABC studios to appear on "Good Morning America" on Oct. 10 in New York City.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Kelly Clarkson attended the American Music Awards Nominees Announcement at BB King's Club in New York City on Oct. 10.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    "Rent" co-stars Rosario Dawson and Taye Diggs attended the Men's Health 25th anniversary celebration at Isola, Mondrian Soho Hotel on Oct. 9 in New York City.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Hayden Panettiere showed off her huge diamond engagement ring as she returned to the Trump Soho Hotel on October 9 in New York City.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Kris Jenner flashed a big smile as she left an office building in Los Angeles, Calif., on Oct. 9, the day after announcing her separation from husband Bruce Jenner.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson posed at the European premiere of "Captain Phillips" on the opening night of the 57th BFI London Film Festival at Odeon Leicester Square on Oct. 9 in London.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    A sparkling Kate Hudson shined in a disco ball broken glass dress for a photo shoot in Los Angeles, Calif., on Oct. 8.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Miley Cyrus signed copies of her CD "Bangerz" at Planet Hollywood in New York City Oct. 8.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Lea Michele met Jane Lynch and Matthew Morrison of "Glee" for lunch at the Four Seasons in Los Angeles, Calif., on Oct. 8.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Jessica Alba was seen outside Breakfast Television and the CBC building, promoting her 'The Honest Company' baby products in Toronto on Oct. 8.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Jude Law signed autographs for fans outside the BBC Radio One studios on Oct. 8 in London.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Abbie Cornish attended the MIPCOM party during MIPCOM 2013 in Cannes, France on Oct. 7.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Stacy Keibler hit the road on the Can-Am Spyder, celebrating with an early birthday ride in the open air in Los Angeles, Calif., on Oct. 7.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Khloe Kardashian and Rapper The Game arrived at Tru Night Club in Los Angeles, Calif., on Oct. 7.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Zooey Deschanel filmed a scene on the beach for her hit show "The New Girl" in Malibu, Calif., on Oct. 7.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Hilary Swank and her boyfriend Laurent Fleury were seen holding hands after a tennis practice in a local park by the Hudson River in Downtown, Manhattan on Oct. 7.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Jackie Chan and Nicole Kidman attended the opening ceremony of the 10th Huading Awards on Oct. 7 in Macao, China.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Miley Cyrus performs live on NBC's "Today" show in Rockefeller Center on October 7, 2013 in New York City




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Selena Gomez stopped to get some gas before heading to a dance studio in Tarzana, Calif., on Oct. 6.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Keith Urban announced the world premiere of The URBAN Guitar Collection -- debuting live on HSN Nov. 3 -- on Oct. 4 in Tampa, Fla.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Katherine Heigl and husband Josh Kelley looked smitten after lunch at Bubby's restaurant in TriBeCa, NYC, on Oct. 4.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Brad Pitt and Shia LaBeouf filmed their new movie 'Fury' in Oxfordshire, England on October 4.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Kim Kardashian posted a photo on Oct. 4 of her daughter, North, who is almost four months old.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Newly engaged Naya Rivera attended the Latina Magazine 'Hollywood Hot List' party at The Redbury Hotel in Hollywood on Oct. 3.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Controversial celebrity photographer Terry Richardson released a series of risque photos of Miley Cyrus on Oct. 3. In them, Cyrus is seen licking a mirror, smoking, and stripping.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Penelope Cruz stunned at a special screening of "The Counselor" at Odeon West End in London on October 3, just two and a half months after welcoming baby girl Luna.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Christina Milian looked beautiful as she stepped out for dinner in West Hollywood, Oct. 3.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Julianne Moore was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Oct. 3 in Los Angeles.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Newlywed Chrissy Teigen, wearing knee-high brown leather boots with a grey top and blue denim hot pants, hailed a taxi in NYC on Oct. 3.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Gwyneth Paltrow filmed a Hugo Boss commercial in downtown Los Angeles on October 3.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Amanda Seyfried and her denim cutoff shorts took Finn for a walk in New York City on October 3.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Cate Blanchett was peach perfection at the New York Film Festival Gala Tribute held in her honor Oct. 2 in New York.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Kerry Washington looked fierce as she headed in for 'The Late Show with David Letterman' taping in New York City, Oct. 2.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Bethenny Frankel did some paddle boarding in the Hudson River in New York City on Oct. 2.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    A bespectacled Katy Perry was seen leaving Colette's store on October 2, in Paris, France.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Khloe Kardashian was spotted filming "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" outside Katsuya Restaurant on October 2, in Encino, Calif.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Jennifer Hudson made her way to a taping 'Good Morning America' in Times Square, NYC, Oct. 2. She looked incredible in a tight red dress and black peeptoe booties.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Julianne Hough spotted chatting on her phone while out and about in New York City, October 1.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Ben Stiller and Naomi Watts spotted on the set of 'While We're Young' in New York City, October 1.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    A newly blonde Ashley Greene attended the screening Of Xlrator Media's 'CBGB' at ArcLight Cinemas in Los Angeles, Oct. 1.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Ashlee Simpson was seen leaving Vignette Lounge in Hollywood on Oct 1.




  • Celebrity Photos: October 2013


    Sarah Michelle Geller posed outside 'Late Show With David Letterman' in New York City, October 1.




  • Celebrity Photos: September 2013


    Kimye stepped out for dinner in Paris Sept. 30, and Kim stunned in a tight leather skirt paired with a casual white top.