While the saga of Marvel Studios’Ant-Manhad its many ups and downs, when the finished film came around there was at least one big delightful surprise to be found:Michael Peña. The actor was cast before writer/directorEdgar Wrightleft the project, and his character Luis ended up being the scene-stealer of the film with a charismatic goofiness in high quantity. So it should come as welcome news, then, that Peña has been confirmed to be returning for the sequel,Ant-Man and the Wasp.
THRreports that Peña has signed on to star in Columbia Pictures’ horror thrillerThe Bringing, which was inspired by the true story of a woman who was found dead in a water tank on the roof of the Cecil Hotel in Los Angeles, with security footage of the woman’s odd behavior going viral. The film revolves around a man investigating a woman’s death in the notorious hotel, and Peña has secured that lead role. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that former Collider writerEvan Dicksonworked on the script for the film, as didBrandonandPhillip Murphy, withStarry EyesscribesKevin KolschandDenis Widmyerpenning the most recent draft.
It’s unclear when production onThe Bringingwill begin, but it is in THR’s story on this casting that the news of Peña returning forAnt-Man and the Waspwas broken. Production on that Marvel sequel is slated to begin sometime next year, withPeyton Reedreturning to direct and a story that will bringEvangeline Lilly’s character into a co-starring role oppositePaul Rudd. Rudd is once again contributing to the script alongsideAndrew BarrerandGabriel Ferrari, the on-set writers forAnt-Man, withAdam McKaycontributing to the story.Ant-Man and the Waspis slated for release on June 22, 2025.
Peña will next be seen in this December’sWill Smith-fronted dramaCollateral Beautyand recently completed a starring turn as Ponch inCHiPs. He’ll also be lending his voice toThe LEGO Ninjago Movie, which opens in theaters next year.
