Evangeline Lilly is reported to be in negotiations to take the female lead role in Ant-Man.

The 34-year-old actress, who played Tauriel the elf in The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug, is claimed by The Hollywood Reporter to have been talking to Marvel Studios about a role in Edgar Wright's comic book adaptation.

Paul Rudd has already been cast as the male lead and Michael Douglas will play his mentor, the scientist who invents the technology to shrink him to the size of an insect.

THR said: "It is unclear who Lilly would play but it is not intended to be a one-off appearance."

Ant-Man is scheduled for release next year on 17 July.