Watch Paul Rudd Take a Punch in First Ant-Man Trailer

Imagine a soldier the size of an insect the ultimate secret weapon, says an eerie voice to open the newAnt-Man trailer. Its an unlikely tag-line for a superhero movie, but Marvels latest project starring funny-man Paul Rudd as the titular shrunken crime-fighter appears to have a sense of humor about itself.

Rudd playsScott Lang, a small-time thief recruited by Dr. Henry Pym (Michael Douglas) to don the shrinking suit that gives him superhuman strength. Expanding on the teaser released in January, the clip features some snappy back-and-forth between the two characters but the highlight is Evangeline Lilly, who plays Pyms daughter, Hope Van Dyne, training the protagonist on proper punch technique by clocking him in the grill. The trailer also features some added glimpses at villain Darren Cross (Corey Stoll), who uses the Pym technology to create the Yellowjacket suit.

Ant-Man, an adaptation of the Marvel comic book franchise, was originally attached to director Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World), who co-wrote the story with Joe Cornish. But Wrightleft the projectonly weeks before it began production, leaving Marvel in a rush to find a replacement screenwriter and director. The studio hired Peyton Reed(Yes Man, The Break Up) to helm the action-comedy, and Adam McKay (Anchorman,Saturday Night Live) was brought on to touch up the screenplay with Rudd.

Ant-Man one of Rolling Stones 68 Reasons This Year Will Rule scurries into theaters on July 17th.