Paul Rudd in 'Ant-Man': First look

Disney-Marvel has released the first teaser trailer for their latest superhero film, “Ant-Man,” starring Paul Rudd in the title role.

As expected, the trailer doesn't give away much in terms of story but merely sets up the main character: Rudd plays Scott Lang, a master thief who is given a chance to become a suit-clad superhero by Dr. Hank Pym, played by Michael Douglas. Plot specifics and villains are absent, though fans already know that Corey Stoll (“This is Where I Leave You”) plays the character known as Yellowjacket.

The bigger question the trailer leaves open is this: Will “Ant-Man” be an action-comedy like “Guardians of the Galaxy,” a more straight-ahead superhero film like “Iron Man,” or something that straddles the line, like “Thor?”

The poster suggests a sense of humor about the film's somewhat goofy premise: It's basically a giant field of white with a tiny figure barely visible in the center. The filmmakers all have comedy backgrounds: Rudd co-wrote the screenplay with his “Anchorman” collaborator Adam McKay, while the story was written by the British comedian Joe Cornish and Edgar Wright, known for his work with Nick Frost and Simon Pegg. The director, Peyton Reed, has directed mostly rom-coms, including “The Break-Up” and “Yes Man.”

The trailer offers more action than humor, though Rudd sneaks in a deadpan line about his unimpressive-sounding moniker: “Is it too late to change the name?”

“Ant-Man” is due in theaters July 17.