Production has officially begun in Atlanta's Pinewood Studios on Marvel Studios' "Captain America: Civil War," and with it comes an official Marvel press release that confirms the film's massive cast is even bigger than fans previously suspected, with Paul Rudd appearing as Ant-Man, and William Hurt reprising his role as Thunderbolt Ross for the first time since 2008's "Incredible Hulk."

Here's the official synopsis of the film: "'Captain America: Civil War' picks up where 'Avengers: Age of Ultron' left off, as Steve Rogers leads the new team of Avengers in their continued efforts to safeguard humanity. After another international incident involving the Avengers results in collateral damage, political pressure mounts to install a system of accountability and a governing body to determine when to enlist the services of the team. The new status quo fractures the Avengers while they try to protect the world from a new and nefarious villain."

As previously reported, the press release makes it official that a whole lot of "Avengers" veterans play apart in the film -- Chris Evans (Captain America) and Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man) headline the affair, along with Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow), Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye), Elizabeth Olsen (Scarlet Witch), Paul Bettany (The Vision) and Don Cheadle (War Machine); plus "Winter Soldier" returnees Anthony Mackie (The Falcon), Sebastian Stan (The Winter Soldier), Emily VanCamp (Sharon Carter/Agent 13) and Frank Grillo (Brock Rumlow/Crossbones). This leaves Chris Hemsworth (Thor) and Mark Ruffalo (Hulk) as the only superheroic "Avengers" regulars not listed. Also not on the announced roster: S.H.I.E.L.D. vets Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury) or Cobie Smulders (Maria Hill).

Chadwick Boseman will debut as the Black Panther, as first revealed last fall, before starring in his own subsequent solo film, scheduled for 2018. Notably, though recent reports had cited Daniel Brühl's role as longtime Cap foe Baron Zemo, he's not linked with a specific character isn't in the press release; same for Martin Freeman, who was announced earlier this week as joining the film in an undisclosed role.

Along with Atlanta, "Civil War" is scheduled to shoot in Germany, Puerto Rico and Iceland. Directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, "Captain America: Civil War" is scheduled for release on May 6, 2016.

Official Press Release

ATLANTA, GEORGIA (May 7, 2015) - Marvel Studios has commenced principal photography at Pinewood Studios in Atlanta, Georgia on "Captain America: Civil War," the third installment of its Super Hero franchise. The production will shoot on location in Atlanta, Georgia, which serves as the base for the film's production, as well as locations in Germany, Puerto Rico and Iceland.

Set for release in the United States on May 6, 2016, "Captain America: Civil War" is directed by Anthony and Joe Russo (Marvel's "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," "Community") from a screenplay by Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely ("Captain America: The Winter Solider," Marvel's "Captain America: The First Avenger"). The film returns Chris Evans ("Captain America: The Winter Soldier," Marvel's "Avengers: Age of Ultron") as the iconic Super Hero character Steve Rogers/Captain America along with Robert Downey Jr. ("Avengers: Age of Ultron," Marvel's "Iron Man 3") as Tony Stark/Iron Man, Scarlett Johansson ("Avengers: Age of Ultron," "Captain America: The Winter Soldier") as Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow, Sebastian Stan ("Captain America: The Winter Soldier," "Captain America: The First Avenger") as Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier, Anthony Mackie ("Avengers: Age of Ultron," "Captain America: The Winter Soldier") as Sam Wilson/Falcon, Paul Bettany ("Avengers: Age of Ultron," "Iron Man 3") as The Vision, Jeremy Renner ("Avengers: Age of Ultron," Marvel's "The Avengers") as Clint Barton/Hawkeye, Don Cheadle ("Avengers: Age of Ultron," "Iron Man 3") as Jim Rhodes/War Machine and Elizabeth Olsen ("Avengers: Age of Ultron," "Godzilla") as Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch.

After his debut in Marvel's "Ant-Man" on July 17, 2015, Paul Rudd ("Ant-Man," "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues") will make his first appearance alongside the Avengers as Scott Lang/Ant-Man in "Captain America: Civil War."

The film also includes outstanding additional cast, including Chadwick Boseman ("42," "Get on Up") as T'Challa/Black Panther, Emily VanCamp ("Captain America: The Winter Soldier," "Revenge") as Sharon Carter/Agent 13, Daniel Brühl ("Inglourious Basterds," "Bourne Ultimatum"), Frank Grillo ("Captain America: The Winter Soldier," "Warrior") as Brock Rumlow/Crossbones, William Hurt ("A History of Violence," Marvel's "The Incredible Hulk") as General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross and Martin Freeman ("The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," "The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies").

"Captain America: Civil War" picks up where "Avengers: Age of Ultron" left off, as Steve Rogers leads the new team of Avengers in their continued efforts to safeguard humanity. After another international incident involving the Avengers results in collateral damage, political pressure mounts to install a system of accountability and a governing body to determine when to enlist the services of the team. The new status quo fractures the Avengers while they try to protect the world from a new and nefarious villain.

Marvel's "Captain America: Civil War" is produced by Marvel Studios' president, Kevin Feige, with Louis D'Esposito, Alan Fine, Victoria Alonso, Patricia Whitcher, Nate Moore and Stan Lee serving as executive producers.

Directors Joe and Anthony Russo's creative team also includes director of photography Trent Opaloch ("Captain America: The Winter Soldier," "Elysium"), production designer Owen Paterson ("Godzilla," "Matrix"), and three time Oscar®-nominated costume designer Judianna Makovsky ("Captain America: The Winter Soldier," "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone").

Based on the Marvel comic character first published in 1941, "Captain America: Civil War " continues the lineage of epic big-screen adventures chronicled in "Iron Man," "The Incredible Hulk," "Iron Man 2," "Thor," "Captain America: The First Avenger," "The Avengers," "Iron Man 3," "Thor: The Dark World," "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," "Guardians of the Galaxy," "Avengers: Age of Ultron" and the upcoming release schedule, which includes Marvel's "Ant-Man" on July 17, 2015, Marvel's "Doctor Strange," on November 4, 2016, Marvel's "Guardians of the Galaxy 2," on May 5, 2017, and Marvel's "Thor: Ragnarok," on November 3, 2017.

Marvel Studios most recently continued its unprecedented success with the release of "Avengers: Age of Ultron" on May 1, 2015. The film recorded the second biggest opening weekend of all time with a $191.3 million box office. It has also been the #1 release in every country where it has been released.