Everything we know about Marvel’s new Fantastic Four movie

Sorry, but John Krasinski is unlikely to reprise his role as Mr. Fantastic.

Finally, the entire Fantastic Four will be joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

There have been a few hints and drips of information concerning Marvel’s “First Family” over the years. A third version of the franchise appears to be finally occurring, with a release date appearing on the ever-expanding Marvel movie release calendar and a director in the works. Here’s all we know so far about the Fantastic Four film, which will be updated when new information becomes available.

WHEN IS THE FANTASTIC FOUR MOVIE COMING OUT?

The Fantastic Four film, which was announced during the 2022 San Diego Comic-Con, would start off Phase 6 of the MCU on November 8, 2024.

WHO IS DIRECTING?

Matt Shakman, the director of Wandavision and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, was announced by Marvel studio president Kevin Feige at D23.

In 2020, Feige confirmed that Spider-Man: Homecoming director Jon Watts will direct the film. Watts stepped down in April 2022, taking a vacation from superhero films. Sorry to everyone who believed Steven Spielberg would accept the position.

WHO’S BEEN CAST?

Although no one has been formally cast, persistent whispers regarding the frontrunners for the parts linger. Rumors about you and Gossip Girl’s Penn Badgley, for example, keep circulating. Betting firms have compiled odds on which actors appear to be the most likely to be cast. Reed Richards’ frontrunners are John David Washington and Dan Stevens, while Johnny Storm’s odds are led by Zac Efron and Anthony Ramos. Sue Storm, Lily James, and Samara Weaving appear to be popular candidates (though back when John Krasinski was still a legit frontrunner, Emily Blunt was also up there). Stephen Graham and Dean Norris are the leading candidates for the Thing.

What we do know is who will not appear in the film. We can rule out anyone from earlier Fantastic Four films, particularly Chris Evans and Michael B. Jordan, who both played Johnny Storm (aka the Human Torch) and play separate roles in the MCU. Furthermore, while John Krasinski from The Office played an alternate-universe Reed Richards in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, he is unlikely to reprise the character in the standard MCU.

More information may be revealed at the D23 Expo on Sept. 10.

WHAT WILL THE MOVIE BE ABOUT?

According to Feige, this reboot will not feature an origin narrative.

WAIT, HASN’T THERE ALREADY BEEN A FANTASTIC FOUR MOVIE?

There have been several Fantastic Four films, but there has yet to be an official introduction into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. An unreleased 1994 version existed, as did a 2005 version starring Jessica Alba and Chris Evans (which also got a sequel in 2007). In 2015, Fox attempted to develop a new Fantastic Four film. It did not go as planned.

SO, WHY HAS IT TAKEN SO LONG TO MAKE?

For a long time, Disney did not have legal ownership of several A-list Marvel characters, including the X-Men, Deadpool, and the Fantastic Four. Because Spider-Man belongs to Sony, the MCU couldn’t even utilize him until 2016.

In 2017, Disney agreed to buy 21st Century Fox, and then-Disney CEO Bob Iger indicated that the X-Men, Deadpool, and Fantastic Four will be merged into the MCU in the future. The transaction was completed in March 2019, and Marvel studio boss Kevin Feige formally announced the Fantastic Four film at that year’s San Diego Comic-Con.