Corey Stoll And Paul Rudd Attend ‘Ant-Man’ Screening After Party

Ant-Man costars Corey Stoll and Paul Rudd hung out at the after party for Marvel’s screening of the film at New York City’s Knickerbocker hotel Monday night.

Corey Stoll & Paul Rudd

Rudd and Stoll, who play Ant-Man and Yellowjacket, respectively, in the new Marvel superhero movie, had a laugh at The Cinema Society and Audi-hosted event in Manhattan. They were joined at the fete by costars Michael Douglas, Michael Peña and Bobby Cannavale.

At the screening, Rudd opened up about getting cast in the titular role in Ant-Man, admitting that it was a definite departure from the roles in which he’s typically been cast throughout his Hollywood career.

“When people heard that I was cast in this movie, I think most people’s reactions were ‘Huh? Paul Rudd as a superhero? Really?’” Rudd told Variety. “The majority of my career has been doing comedies and I was always that guy, so I completely understand. Playing a comic book character is different from anything I have ever done before and that was a huge appeal to me. I wanted to do something unexpected. I’m grateful that Marvel took a chance with me. It’s been really gratifying.”

How did Rudd prepare his body for the part? He took a cue from the playbook of Chris Pratt, another actor known for his comedy parts that got a chance to change things up in a franchise tentpole.

“I basically didn’t eat anything for about a year,” said Rudd. “I took the Chris Pratt approach to training for an action movie. Eliminate anything fun for a year and then you can play a hero.”

As for Stoll, he also committed to getting into shape for his tight-fitting suit – but it turned out it was all for nothing.

“We tried to make it a practical suit. We went through several iterations and it just was not working. So in the end it was completely CGI,” Stoll admitted during a press conference for Ant-Man. “And of course I had been working out like a fiend to be able to look good in this suit and in the end it just turned out to be for the behind the stage footage of me in my pajamas.”

Ant-Man hits theaters July 17.