Fantastic Four Reboot Has Found a New Writer
The Fantastic Four team, known as Marvel’s first family, is set to be introduced in the Marvel Cinematic Universe ahead of the next crossover event in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. The movie was first announced in December 2020 with Jon Watts attached to direct. Watts directed all three Spider-Man movies starring Tom Holland, but he departed the Fantastic Four reboot shortly after the release of Spider-Man: No Way Home, deciding to take a break from the superhero genre.
Matt Shakman, who directed all episodes of WandaVision, was set to direct a new Star Trek movie, but he departed the project, and shortly after, he signed to direct Fantastic Four. Now, according to The Hollywood Reporter, Marvel Studios has hired Josh Friedman, who worked as a co-writer on James Cameron’s Avatar: The Way of Water, to pen a new draft of the Fantastic Four script.
Fantastic Four is one of the most known superhero teams that have ever been introduced on the pages of Marvel Comics. The first Fantastic Four film was released in 2005, with former MCU star Chris Evans as Johnny Storm, aka The Human Torch. The movie also starred Jessica Alba, Ioan Gruffudd, and Michael Chiklis. The movie received mixed reviews, but it was a box-office success. The sequel, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, was released in 2007. The third movie with this cast was ultimately canceled.
In 2015, Fox released a reboot starring Miles Teller, Michael B. Jordan, Kate Mara, and Jamie Bell. The movie was panned by critics, and it was a box office bomb. It is still considered one of the worst superhero movies ever made, so it’s no wonder the sequel was canceled after its failure.
In 2019, Disney completed the acquisition of Fox, which brought the rights for Fantastic Four, X-Men, and Deadpool, back to Marvel Studios. John Krasinski portrayed Reed Richards, aka Mr. Fantastic in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, but it’s likely that he will not reprise the role as the MCU’s main Mr. Fantastic. Marvel Studios announced that a new Fantastic Four reboot would be set in Phase 6 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and it will introduce the title team ahead of the next crossover event in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty.
Marvel Studios didn’t reveal the cast that will portray Marvel’s first family in the MCU, but the fans are eagerly waiting for that announcement. Directed by Matt Shakman, the movie is set to be released on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2025.
