Adam McKay won't direct Ant-Man

Los Angeles - Adam McKay has pulled out of negotiations to direct Ant-Man.

The Anchorman director was considered frontrunner to replace Edgar Wright on the Marvel superhero movie, but he has decided not to take the reins, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

McKay confirmed he had been in talks for the film - which is still due to open next year - but couldn't commit due to other projects he is working on.

He wrote on Twitter:

And yes, met w/Marvel. Kirby & Lee r my Lennon Mccartney so it was awesome. But have other projects I'm committed to. Not sure it can work.

— Adam McKay (@GhostPanther) May 31, 2014

Wright abruptly pulled out of directing Ant-Man, a project he has been working on for several years, last week.

Marvel said at the time the "studio and director have parted ways on Ant-Man due to differences in their visions of the film".

We're the Millers director Rawson Marshall Thurber and Zombieland director Ruben Fleischer are among the other names being considered to helm Ant-Man.

The film will star comedian Paul Rudd, movie legend Michael Douglas and Lost starlet Evangeline Lilly.