Veteran actor Michael Douglas has admitted his first foray into the world of comic book movies has not helped him learn about superheroes but has given him another string to his bow.

The Basic Instinct star plays scientist Dr Hank Pym in Marvel’s Ant-Man, and he has confessed he only read the comics for the first time after he was sent the back catalogue before shooting.

Speaking on the red carpet at the world premiere of the film at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, he admitted he is still not an expert.

“I have no expertise whatsoever, I do feel like I’m a veteran now of effects movies and I understand now how special effects movies work and I can add that to my resume.”

Michael Douglas on the red carpet at the Ant-Man premiere
Michael Douglas on the red carpet at the Ant-Man premiere (Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Role Models star Paul Rudd, 46, takes on the role of the superhero who can shrink to the size of an insect and Michael, 70, said he got so much pleasure seeing the younger actor in costume.

“The most fun day was when I saw Paul in his Ant-Man suit, I could just see that incredible pride. He loved his suit and it fit him so well, he was ripped and it really made me smile.”

Paul Rudd
Paul Rudd stars as Ant-Man (Paul A. Hebert/Invision/AP)

Michael, the son of Spartacus actor Kirk Douglas, will celebrate his 15th wedding anniversary with wife Catherine Zeta-Jones later this year.

The couple have two children together and Douglas said he was still thinking of how they will celebrate.

“I have until November to figure out my 15th anniversary but I do have to do something special,” he said.

Michael Douglas and Evangeline Lilly at the Ant-Man premiere
Michael Douglas and Evangeline Lilly (Paul A. Hebert/Invision/AP)

Lost actress Evangeline Lilly stars as Michael’s daughter Hope and she said she felt comfortable in the Marvel universe after her turns in the mystery TV series and the Lord Of The Rings films.

“I have to admit I feel quite at home in these big franchises, I’ve done a couple of them now. I definitely feel the pressure because of Marvel’s history and you want to live up to that and you want to keep the fans satisfied and not let them down but the fan base are my people.

“They are losties and ringers, they are my people.”

Ant-Man is released in UK cinemas on July 17.