The list of directors Marvel had hoped would direct Ant-Man after Edgar Wright left the movie is quickly getting shorter. On Friday Adam McKay was in “advanced talks” to direct the film, only to pull out the next day due to prior commitments to other projects. That left Rawson Marshall Thurber (We’re The Millers) and Ruben Fleischer (Zombieland, Gangster Squad) on the list. Fleischer appeared to be the one who could match Wright’s action and comedic sensibilities, but now it appears he too will no longer be in the running.

New reports say that Fleischer could be the top choice to direct Ghostbusters 3. Hit the jump to see why he may no longer be considered to direct Ant-Man.

There really isn’t any solid news to confirm that Fleischer will direct Ghostbusters 3. For one thing, production for the film isn’t even ready to begin, and attaching a director to a film means nothing. But he has directed Zombieland and 30 Minutes or Less for Sony in the past, so it would be a good fit.

Now that isn’t the main reason why Fleischer is no longer in the running to direct Ant-Man. According to The Wrap, the director just had a baby with his wife, and wants to spend more time with his family. Because Ghostbusters 3 is down the road a bit, it would make more sense. Directing a film like Ant-Man is such a huge commitment, and would take a lot of time out of that break he wants.

This means that, of the shortlist of directors Marvel was looking at for Ant-Man, Thurber is now the frontrunner to direct the film. In addition to directing We’re The Millers, Thurber also directed Dodgeball.

[Source: The Wrap]