Disclaimer: I was provided on an all expense paid trip to LA to cover this junket.
Marvel’s Ant-Man Exclusive Paul Rudd & Evangeline Lilly Interview
As a Marvel Movie fan I was ecstatic to meet the next new Marvel Superhero—Ant-Man played by Paul Rudd and his love interest Evangeline Lilly both together in the same room! What an attractive and amazing exclusive interview with these two new Marvel’s Ant-Man stars! Just being able to be in the room with both of these extremely talented actors was amazing! During the interview we talked about what it was like for them to work together, how much improve and how funny Paul was on set, what their most memorable parts of the film was that they had while filming, and also the important role of women in society!
Paul walks in the room with hands in the air yelling, “HELLO LADIES!!” Evangeline walks in the room glowing! She had a real mommy glow, if you know what I mean. I totally did see her adorable little baby bump that she was sporting! It was obvious that Paul was LOVING being able to be interviewed by tons of applauding moms. And then Evangeline totally had family in mind when she looked down the long conference table and mentioned, “I feel like we should have a thanksgiving dinner spread,” as she points down the long table!
Paul responds with “…or the biggest game of poker in the history of poker.”
During the part of the interview Evngeline totally makes Paul blush! She mentions how big we are all smiling and says that Paul is “the sweetest man alive!” Him blushing and yet loving it was really adorable!
Evangeline talks about how amazing Paul was, as Paul responds with, “I think you are selling yourself short.”
Evangeline responds with, “How short? Like ANT short?” The sincerity and then joke cracking set the tone to our entire interview!
Here are a few of the key questions that made this interview and Marvel’s Ant-Man significant with these two key actors playing the important roles as Scott Lang/Ant-Man and Hope Pym.
Paul Rudd & Evangeline Lilly Interview – Marvel’s Ant-Man Exclusive!
Paul Rudd – Comics are Funny
Question: You are known for your comedy, what is it like going into action?
Paul: I always felt like with, especially with Marvel movies, but just talking about this one, that it was going to be funny. They are good with levity. I mean, all their films have funny moments but they’re not necessarily straight up comedies. And, with this one I knew that the action was going to be really good. I knew the visuals were going to be crazy good. I also knew that there was this relationship that Scott Lang had with his daughter. And that there was the relationship that Michael Douglas has with his daughter… and that this whole thing with parents and children—that was going to be really the thrust of the film. And that’s relatable and empathetic and something that you can hang the whole thing on. And that’s pretty dramatic.
So, that’s really what I kind of focused on, figuring you know, humor would be there in the end.
Evangeline: And that said, he did not stop improving and cracking jokes through the entire– there wasn’t one scene no matter how serious where you didn’t make me break character.
Evangeline Lilly and Girl Power
Question: Evangeline, you worked with Paul and Adam with writing, in order to develop your character, do you feel like that it came out what you wanted as far as the girl power part of it?
Evangeline: You know, it’s funny because actually the girl power part was no really my contribution. That was Marvel and the boys— what guy doesn’t like a girl who can kick ass? They like to see that on screen, right? What I think is important is that woman, first of all be a woman and not a girl, and that she also has all the dimensions that a male character who can kick ass would also have. I think a lot of the times what happens mistakenly in men’s very, very meaningful attempts to make strong women is they make them strong in the way that they relate to, which is wrong.
And I think that female strength has many more dimensions than that. A lot of our strength comes from our women’s vulnerability, our compassion, our maternal instincts, and I don’t think that those things should never be labeled as weaknesses. And I think that’s one of the things that I always look to put in and infuse these characters with. It is the moments where you suddenly realize underneath that very hard facade, underneath what she’s trying to project to the world because she feels she has to survive or she has to do what she needs to do. There is a little girl within all of us….and even within Paul, there’s just a little girl within him.
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The interview continues with us talking to Paul about his favorite Ant. His favorite ant was “Antony”. We then also discussed how excited he was for his Ant-Man Lego set more than the action figure! At one point he pretended to steal the little action figures on the table to start his own collection!
We also asked them both about their most memorable moment of the filming. Evangeline said it was when the penny dropped and she realized how awesome everything was coming together. Paul’s was putting the Iron Man costume on and walking on set for the first time! “And, the first time I ever put it on at a fitting was thrilling. And I felt like I was 10 years old. Every single time after that, it was whoa, I can’t believe this is so cool. “
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Question: What do you think the main theme of the movie as far as the parent/child relationship?
Evangeline: I think redemption between um father/daughter and the father/daughter relationship is, is the powerful theme that really anchors the film emotionally.
Paul then discussed how the movie is not just a visual spectacle but about relationships and how everyone can relate to the relationships discussed in the movie!
Question: What is it in the characters that made the opposite attract work?
Evangeline: I think that in our lives, we all know often what our greatest pitfall is in our character. We don’t know we’re doing this but I believe that we’re constantly drawing people into our life to help us deal with that thing. Usually those people are the most unpleasant people for us to deal with because they bring to light that thing that you wish you could just push under the carpet and not think about, but you know you need to work on.
And I feel like for Hope, Scott coming into her life could not have more poignantly exasperated the issue of her need for control, to control everything, every little thing right down to her lipstick point and her haircut. He just is so loose and from her perspective he seems so out of control. I think that’s that rub that we draw to ourselves. She drew in that energy because she needed to face it and she needed to deal with it. I think it’s really appropriate that it’s the Scott Lang character who helps Hope to realize what’s truly going on in her relationship with her father because she couldn’t see it for herself.
***Ant-Man plays in theaters everywhere July 17th, 2015! I promise you that you will LOVE it and it is a HUGE part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe! Be sure to stay for TWO extra surprise scenes! This interview took place after screening this movie that tells the story of “Ant-Man”, Marvel’s superhero who can shrink! Small, powerful, and hilarious! Be sure to come back next week to read my full review!***
Luckily this was actually my third Paul Rudd interview within a year! Be sure to read my ON SET Paul Rudd interview to learn more about this amazing movie!