AceShowbiz - Film fans in the U.K. are backing a petition calling on Marvel Studio officials to reverse their decision to release the Ant-Man sequel there a month after its U.S. launch.

Bosses at Marvel and its parent company Disney will be rolling out Ant-Man and the Wasp in most markets across the world in early July, but people living in the U.K., Italy, and Japan will have to wait until August to catch Paul Rudd back in action as the comic book superhero.

Reports suggest the delay in the movie's British release is down to concerns about lower box office numbers while the soccer World Cup takes place in Russia from 14 June to 15 July, but the news has irked many residents who have no interest in the sporting extravaganza, and who are more concerned about spoilers leaking before it's even opened in local cinemas.

Filmgoer Adam Khan has since taken it upon himself to start an online petition on Change.org to convince studio bosses to release Ant-Man and the Wasp in the U.K. in July, too.

"Marvel and Disney have decided to push 'Ant-Man and The Wasp' back a month because of The World Cup," he writes. "This means fans in the UK will get the movie a month after the rest of the world.

"True Marvel fans, like myself, are upset and disappointed by this... How can we go a month without spoilers? You can watch the World Cup and watch a movie as well".

Khan aimed to collect 1,500 signatures for the petition, which he launched last week, ends May 25, and had already neared his goal by Monday afternoon, May 28.

Marvel officials have yet to comment on the campaign.