Bobby Cannavale and rapper T.I. have joined Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas and Evangeline Lilly on the Marvel Studios project, which has kicked off in California.

Judy Greer and John Slattery have also come on board. Peyton Reed directs after Edgar Wright dropped out due to creative differences. Ant-Man will also shoot in Atlanta, Georgia, which serves as the production hub.

Rounding out the key cast are Corey Stoll, Michael Peña, Abby Ryder Fortson, David Dastmalchian, Wood Harris and Gregg Turkington.

The film will open in the US on July 17, 2015, and centres on con-man Scott Lang, played by Rudd, who has the ability to shrink and increase strength.

Lang must find a way to help his mentor, Dr Hank Pym, played by Douglas, protect the secret behind his Ant-Man suit. To do so they plot a heist that will save the world.

Marvel Studios president, Kevin Feige produces and Louis D’Esposito, Alan Fine, Victoria Alonso, Michael Grillo and Stan Lee serve as executive producers.