I was sent on an all expense paid trip to L.A. to attend this press junket, interview these men, and promote Marvel’s new Ant-Man.
Who is the ANTourage?
While I was in L.A. for the Ant-Man press junket I had the opportunity to interview Michael Pena, T.I. & David Dastmalchian. These three guys play Scott Lang’s (Paul Rudd’s character) friends. There were is entourage so to speak, and this is where the creative name “ANTourage” came from.
ANTourage: Michael Pena, T.I. & David Dastmalchian Interview Highlights
This was the craziest interview I have ever been a part of in my career. First of all there was TONS of talent walking in the room all at once! There was so much synergy and comedy coming from these guys, that as they walk into an interview with all “mommy bloggers” it is amazing how much fun they had with us!
The ANTourage!
Our interview consisted of selfies being taken by the talent, toys being played with, and tons of laughs! All these three guys did was make us laugh! Watch their expressions as they walked into the room! One of the men actually mentioned, “They should give us a comic book – The ANTourage!”
This is the best photo of the Antourage entering the conference room with about 25 moms!
ANTourage – Michael
Micheal Pena asked that we hashtag #ANTourage, “let’s make it stick! Alright put it out there.” So that is what our group of 25 bloggers have done. We haven’t called these guys anything but the “ANTourage”!
It was Michael who had un playing with toys the entire interview.
ANTourage – T.I.
One of my favorite parts of the interview was when T.I. discussed his kids being jaded and not knowing who Ant-Man was. They were excited he was going to be in a superhero movie but then had no clue who “Ant-Man” was. “You’re going to be in the Avengers!?” his kids asked. As T.I. explained the dialogue between him and his kids it was hilarious!
T.I. about getting the part — He talked about how he was sent in a hurry to read for the part. They gave him a bunch of anonymous scenes and then started rearranging his schedule so he can be in it!
We also talked about how busy T.I.’s schedule was being a rapper and having to film. The men talked about how crazy it would be that he would have to fly out to Africa and then come back the morning of just to film the parts.
ANTourage – David
We asked how these gentlemen got into this project. David answered with the fact that he auditioned for the part in January 2014. He mentions, “it is different than anything I’ve gotten to do before. And my immediate goal was like I am a huge comic geek! I’ve loved comics my whole life. I want something that my mom can go to the cinema and watch and not be terrified because I tend to play some goofy guys. So I went after it and I created a voice and the character and then she liked it…” Then when he got the part, his manager called him and said, “Great news. You’re going to Atlanta to test.” When he arrived in Atlanta, he didn’t realize that he actually got the part and was headed to Atlanta to star working!
Can you find me in this picture? I am right next to T.I.!
David Dastmalchian – Difference between a Marvel movie and playing in a DC film?
Our interview was crazy. There were 3 men and 25 women. There was tons of laughing and a lot of overlapping statements and comedic humor. I was dying to ask David what the major difference once between playing in a DC movie and playing in a Marvel movie! We ran out of time so I did like any reporter would do, and I tried to seek the answer myself. So I decided to message David on facebook since he is so active on social media. He did respond and I am forever grateful that a successful actor would still interact with his fans!
David messaged me with this great answer: “Hello Enza! The biggest difference…. hmmm – I think that there is a difference in tone and style for sure. But that’s only speaking for a “Nolan” DC film – I don’t know what these new ones are going to be like. His film set still had a lot of laughs and it was a very creative, joyful atmosphere. The Marvel experience was very much that – lots of joy and room for creative exploration. I always felt like I’d get a chance to try something out if I wanted on either set. I was much more nervous on TDK set because it was my first film experience and I really had no idea what was going on. I was still nervous on Ant-Man but I felt more relaxed – and also had MUCH more time on set. TDK was only a few days. Ant-Man was months and months of work. Hope you enjoyed the film and that all is well! Best, Dd”
Be sure to go and see Marvel’s NEW next BIG (or really really small) THING on July 17, 2015!
The next evolution of the Marvel Cinematic Universe brings a founding member of The Avengers to the big screen for the first time with Marvel Studios’ “Ant-Man” when master thief Scott Lang must embrace his inner hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym, protect the secret behind his spectacular Ant-Man suit from a new generation of towering threats.