Filmmaker Peyton Reed has signed on to helm beleaguered superhero movie Ant-Man after several other directors turned the job down.

Brit Edgar Wright was originally set to handle the film, but walked away from the project in May (14) citing creative differences with the movie's bosses.

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues director Adam MCKay was then approached but refused the job due to commitments to other projects, and DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story filmmaker Rawson Marshall Thurber also declined an offer to take control of the project.

Marvel bosses have now announced that Bring It On director Reed will take charge of the film, with MCKay agreeing to help script the movie.

Paul Rudd is set to star as the title character, with Michael Douglas playing a scientist who devises a potion to shrink the superhero to insect proportions.