‘Fantastic Four’ from Marvel Studios.
Since the announcement of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Multiverse Saga (well… maybe even before, to be honest), fans have enjoyed the MCU’s game of speculation, where even non-news can, in its own perverted way, count as news.
Castings deferred, production dates moved or extended, and theatrical release dates shifted — these are all outside cues, tea leaves or puzzle pieces (depending on your preferred metaphor) to sift through.
Of course, several Phase Four films (notably ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ and ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’) have offered big clues about the direction in which the MCU’s sprawling multi-film narrative canvas is unfolding.
But with things officially shifting to Phase Five with the upcoming release of ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’, what can fans reasonably expect, looking further into the horizon, in regards to the return of the MCU’s first family? the highly anticipated Fantastic Four?
Director Matt Shakman Confirms ‘Fantastic Four’ Filming Schedule
Director Matt Shakman, who worked on the superlative Emmy-nominated ‘WandaVision’, provided some insight into things in a conversation with Collider, noting that filming on ‘Fantastic Four’ would not start until “Early next year”.
On its own, in a vacuum, that might not seem like such a big deal. But, alongside 2024’s ‘Deadpool 3’, Shakman’s film will not only be tasked with reintroducing beloved comic book characters within the context of the MCU, but also include 2025’s ‘Avengers: The Kang Dynasty’ and the following year’s ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’. .’
The former, set to be helmed by Shawn Levy, made news to confirm Hugh Jackman’s return as James “Logan” Howlett/Wolverine. And, of course, stars Ryan Reynolds and Jackman keep fueling that free media fire with good online competition/celebration.
‘Fantastic Four’s Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm (the latter embodied on the big screen by Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Bell, respectively, in director Josh Trank’s 2015 endeavor) cast therefore it seems to require significant star power. Shakman, in his chat with Collider, noted that nothing is certain yet and the casting rumors circulating online are just that – rumours.
John Krasinski’s ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ cast as Earth-838’s Richards is, in his own way, apparently a clever potential experimental balloon. Social media buzzed ahead of the film’s release (some fans weighed in positively, others cried, unable to see beyond the role of Jim Halpert Krasinski), and the specs of the Earth-838 revelation garnered huge reactions in theaters with opening weekend audiences.
John Krasinski as Reed Richards in ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.’ Photo courtesy of Marvel.com.
Related article: Director Matt Shakman in Talks for ‘Fantastic Four’
The Multiverse Saga Allows Producer Kevin Feige Multiple Casting Options
Producer Kevin Feige was an accomplished showman and public face for a record-breaking Marvel Studios production. And with the Multiverse Saga, he has a series of stories tailor-made for magic and media puppet mastery. In this case, Marvel seems ready to have its cake and eat it too.
With Jonathan Majors locked in as multiversal foe Kang the Conqueror and making his debut in ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania,’ it seems a safe bet that, whatever the exact source material Feige and company choose to lean the most on mentioned above. on. The Kang Dynasty’ and ‘Secret Wars,’ it will include maximum (controlled) chaos.
One wouldn’t be surprised to see Krasinski appear as Richards – or even Teller. Opposite and in addition, of course, other players. So when Shakman said the casting rumors were gossip, he wasn’t lying. Let’s just hope that the statement also stays green for the next few years.
‘Fantastic Four’ from Marvel Studios.
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Marvel Studios ‘Fantastic Four’ is slated for release in 2024 and will be directed by Matt Shakman. The film will be set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and be based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name.