Okay, are you sitting down? Are you? Good, because Ant-Man finally has it’s new Director. . . seriously this time. No more dropping out two days later or in the middle of negotiations. In fact there’s even a new writer too! Ant-Man finally seems back on track; and if that wasn’t enough reason to celebrate, then just wait till you hear the news on the Hulk, Doctor Strange and Daredevil! All this and more coming at you in this Marvel Studios Update.

Ant-Man Back On Track:

After so much back and forth, Ant-Man finally has a director in Peyton Reed. After the last few fiascos, I decided to wait an appropriate amount of time before reporting this. Now with word on a new writer and filming beginning in August, I think we can finally say Ant-Man is good to go for keeping its July 17^th, 2015 release date.

Joining the team is writer Adam McKay who Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige brought on to rework some parts from the original script that Edgar Wright and Joe Cornish originally wrote all those years ago. Despite these changes, Feige says that the film will still be largely thanks to the work and talent of former director Edgar Wright. So there you have it, a seemingly happy and amicable ending. Let’s hope it’s smooth sailing from here on out.

Doctor Strange New Writer and Casting Rumors:

Ant Man isn’t the only film to be getting some go-aheads. A few weeks ago, we learned that Scott Derrickson would be directing the film. With his exceptional experience in the realm of paranormal films, he seemed like a great choice. Now he is being joined by John Spaihts who will be acting as writer. Spaihts – who’s worked on such films like Prometheus – would be fixing up some parts of the initial screenplay for Doctor Strange that was reportedly penned a few years ago by Thomas Donnelly and Joshua Oppenheimer.

Though that’s not all to be excited for. The casting rumors continue for the lead character himself. With some confusion as to whether or not he would take over for Will Smith in another movie called Brilliance, Jared Leto seemed to be out of the running; but thankfully he is back in as a Marvel favorite. Besides him, Marvel has their sights on two others. One of which would be Tom Hardy, whom you might remember as Bane from The Dark Knight Rises. I personally can’t see Hardy playing the role; but it’s the other name Marvel is throwing around that really has me excited: Cumberbatch.

That’s right, Sherlock himself – or Khan if you prefer – might become the Sorcerer Supreme. Anyone who has ever seen Cumberbatch in action knows why he’d be an amazing choice for this role. In fact, I don’t even know whom I want more in this role right. Leto has amazing potential to become a fangirl favorite. Then again, Cumberbatch already is one. He might even be able to give Tom Hiddleston a run for his money. Considering their best friends in real life, I would love to see Loki and Doctor Strange interact on the big screen.

Incredible Hulk Sequel?:

When Joss Whedon starting mentioning how the Hulk would have a huge role in the upcoming Avenger 2: Age of Ultron film, many fans feared he do his usual M.O. and kill him off. With his hints that the main theme of Avengers 2 is “death, death and more death” and how he wants people talking about the Hulk after Avengers 2, it seemed like the Hulk was indeed going to somehow get offed in the next Avengers. Thankfully, Mark Ruffalo just put all those fears aside and gave us something amazing to look forward to.

In an interview with Digitial Spy UK, Ruffalo spoke about how around the time of the first Avengers; Marvel Studios was in no way considering another stand-alone Hulk film. With the first Hulk (played by Eric Bana) being kind of a flop and the second one (being played by Edward Norton) not continuing onto Avengers due to money issues, we’ve yet to see a stand alone film with Ruffalo as the mild mannered scientist/giant green rage monster. Though after the Avengers – and his appearance at the end of Ironman 3 – Ruffalo has become a favorite and fans want to see more.

Ruffalo says there’s nothing in the works yet, not even a skeleton of one; but Marvel is indeed considering a new stand-alone Hulk film now. So there’s that. Depending on how Avengers 2: Age of Ultron ends, we might just have to have a new Hulk film. So let’s keep pushing everyone. It could happen *fingers crossed*

Daredevil Casting Continues:

A while ago we learned that “Boardwalk Empire” star Charlie Cox was chosen to play Matt Murdoch/Daredevil in Daredevil – Marvel’s upcoming venture into Netflix original programming. Now we’ve learned that Vincent D’Onofrio has joined the cast as well. D’Onofrio is best known for his work on Law&Order: Criminal Intent; but this time around he’ll be playing a very different character as the villainous mob boss known as Kingpin. The Kingpin will be the series main villain; and Murdoch will have to face off against the him both in and out of the courtroom.

The final cast announcement for Daredevil comes with Rosario Dawson joining the team as a yet to be announced character. Many feel she might become the assassin known as Elektra. In the comics, Elektra was originally an assassin for hire by the Kingpin and fought Daredevil on a few occasions before turning good – sadly that was after her death and subsequent resurrection.

Whether this will be Elektra’s fate in the series or even if she will be featured in the series – let alone played by Rosario Dawson – remains to be seen. Either way, Marvel branching out into Netflix is very exciting and I’m very excited that their first of four Netflix series is off to such a strong start.

New Footage for San Diego Comic Con:

One final piece of news to share just broke earlier today (Monday, June 23^rd). If you’ve been following my Avengers 2 updates, you’ll know that I – and others – have been expecting to get some actual Avengers 2: Age of Ultron footage when San Diego Comic Con happens about a month from now. Well, we were right!

Comic Central Daily reported today that the first trailer for Avengers 2 will indeed be shown at San Diego Comic Con this year; and unlike the teaser trailer we got last year at SDCC, this trailer will use actual footage from the film. This is amazing news. If you remember the post credits of Captain America: The First Avenger, we got to see a mini-trailer for The Avengers.

With Guardians of the Galaxy coming out in a few weeks, you could suspect a trailer to be shown at the end of that film; but I doubt it. Guardians of the Galaxy might be the last Marvel movie to be released before Avengers 2 – like Captain America was before The Avengers -; but Guardians doesn’t set up for Avengers 2. If anything Guardians sets up for Avengers 3.

I will be covering San Diego Comic Con just like I did E3. So be sure to check back for more Marvel Updates. Not just Avengers 2; but anything that might be revealed at SDCC. So stay tuned everyone: subscribe here or follow on Facebook or Twitter.