Marvel's first family, The Fantastic Four, has had a long and troubled road to the big screen. Marvel Studios' Kevin Feige has finally spoken about the 4's impending official introduction to the MCU.
Reed Richards, as played by John Krasinski, made his debut in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, but it was only to a limited degree. Furthermore, there's no guarantee that the former star of The Office will even be the MCU's true Mr. Fantastic. Details have been so scant on Fantastic Four that not even any official casting announcements have made the headlines.
But, now, Feige has touched upon the property in his most recent sit-down interview with Entertainment Weekly, stating that he's aware that The Fantastic Four sowed the seeds for all the heroes and narratives that followed. He then, in carefully worded terms, mentioned the franchise's past cinematic translations. Feige said, "There's certainly been versions of it [on screen], but never inhabiting the storytelling of the MCU. And that's something that is really exciting for us." As for when Fantastic Four news might arrive, Feige said, "People will start to hear more about that soon. We plan on that being a big pillar of the MCU going forward, just the way they've been in the comics for 50 or 60 years."
Fans have been waiting not only for a proper adaptation but even a good one. Tim Story's Fantastic Four and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer felt low-key and shoddy compared to Sam Raimi's Spider-Man films or the best of the original X-Men movies. At the very least, Marvel Studios' Fantastic Four will be an event, as it's set to kick off Phase 6 when it hits theaters. Director Matt Shakman (an It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia alum) is taking over for Spider-Man: Homecoming, Far from Home, and No Way Home's Jon Watts, and he's confirmed just when Fantastic Four filming will commence.
Perhaps Shakman's Fantastic Four will go back to basics a bit, giving MCU fans a break from the falling cities and Earth invasions to tell a cohesive, poignant story about four individuals who had their lives irrevocably changed. There aren't many Marvel characters' interpersonal dynamics that can match the complexity of the 4. So, should excellent casting decisions be made, there's a chance Shakman could release one of the best MCU installments thus far. Given the theatrical adventures and the smaller but still formidable works on Disney Plus, going back to basics may be a way for Feige to stave off superhero movie fatigue.
Fantastic Four is scheduled to be released in theaters on February 14, 2025.
Source: Entertainment Weekly