Marvel’s Fantastic Four reboot has taken a major step forward. According to The Wrap, Jeff Kaplan and Ian Springer are set to pen the screenplay for the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe film. While this news is just making its way out into the world now, the report notes that Kaplan and Springer have been attached to the project for some time. So the script may already be well underway.
Kaplan and Springer are somewhat new and don’t have too many credits to their name. They have, however, sold quite a few scripts that are currently in development. One of them is set up at Warner Bros. and is titled Disaster Wedding. Still, it’s an example of Marvel Studios trusting up-and-coming filmmakers with a big franchise. Similarly, James Gunn hadn’t directed a huge movie before Guardians of the Galaxy. It’s a strategy that has worked out well in the past.
Matt Shakman is on board to direct the film. Shakman previously directed WandaVision for Disney+. That show helped kick off the era of live-action TV in the MCU. Previously, Jon Watts (Spider-Man: No Way Home) had been on deck to helm the film. He departed the director’s chair earlier this year and is now making a Star Wars show for Disney+ instead. So he clearly still has a good relationship with Disney.
There is still no word yet on who will be starring in the film. The Fantastic Four consists of Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic, Sue Storm/the Invisible Woman, Johnny Storm/the Human Torch and Ben Grimm/the Thing. John Krasinski played a version of Reed Richards in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. However, Krasinski was a variant within the multiverse and was killed in the film. It’s unlikely he will return.
This will be the first film in the franchise since 2015’s Fantastic Four. That movie was directed by Josh Trank and served as a major critical and commercial failure. That was when Fox was still in control of the property. But the Disney/Fox merger changed all of that and put the characters in the hands of Marvel Studios. The reboot was officially confirmed back in December 2020 and has been slowly coming together behind the scenes ever since.
Fantastic Four is set to hit theaters on November 8, 2024.
What do you think? Are you looking forward to the movie? Do you feel good about the choice of writers? Join in on the conversation over on Facebook or Twitter!
