When Paul Rudd landed the role of diminutive Marvel Comics superhero Ant-Man, the reaction of most of his friends was disbelief. There were some chuckles, too.

"First I wondered ... 'Am I too old?' " Rudd tells The Japan Times. "They said, 'No, you look young enough but...' And no one would finish the sentence!"

The 46-year-old actor may not be the first person that springs to mind when casting a superhero, he is best known for his work in comedies and as a writer. But Ant-Man isn't your typical hero. He has been described as more of a "well-meaning thief" who is thrust into a situation that leads to a heroic outcome. Rudd says this accidental heroism is exactly what made him interested in the part.