'Ant-Man' star Evangeline Lilly talks action-filled career

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Actress Evangeline Lilly burst onto the Hollywood scene in 2004 with the television series "Lost." She made a quick trip to Middle Earth and "The Hobbit" franchise, and now finds herself in the Marvel Universe with "Ant-Man."

Lilly brings action and heart to the movie, but she admits she was new to the comic book series before she made the film. Lilly said she loves the fact that the concept is easily understandable for everyone.

"I felt like, 'Oh man, this movie is super accessible to everybody,'" said Lilly. "Even a 5-year-old child can follow this movie and love it and understand it and really get into it."

Lilly, who plays Ant-Man's potential love interest, underwent some rigorous training to play the character convincingly.

"I had to learn how to punch like a boxer. I had no aptitude for that type of action!" she laughed. "I like the more graceful stuff. That took some training. That took some time. I would just get the giggles all the time. I would try to be serious and lift my fists up, and I felt like an idiot."

Her hard work pays off on screen. Lilly hopes fans will be able to just sit back and enjoy the ride.

"From the moment that Scott Lang gets the Ant-Man suit to the end of the film, you are so washed up in this tide of fun and action that you forget yourself," said Lilly. "Even I, and I am such a critical actor when I watch my own films, forgot myself. I was so absorbed in the story and the fantasy. The ants will draw you in! Man, those ants are so cool!"

"Ant-Man" is rated PG and is in theaters Friday, July 17.