Marvel Studios' long-awaitedFantastic Fourproject, which will introduce the popular characters into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, has found its writers in the duo of Ian Springer and Jeff Kaplan. This news comes in the wake of Kevin Feige’s confirmation of Matt Shakman as the project’s director at the recent D23 event.
The Fantastic Fourhave been the premiere family of the Marvel Comics universe since their debut in 1961. The titular group consists of Reed Richards, his friend Ben Grimm, love interest to Richards and eventual spouse Susan Storm, and her younger brother Johnny, all of whom gained incredible superhuman powers after a scientific voyage into space took a turn for the worst. The team has always been popular and has spawned several adaptations, including 4 live-action films. Of the four, only 3 were released to less than stellar reviews by 20th Century Fox, which held the rights to the live-action adaptation of the IP until the company’s assets were acquired by Disney, finally rejoining the majority ofMarvel’s cast of characters.
RELATED:X-Men Film Not Happening Soon And Why Fantastic Four Cast Wasn’t Announced At D23
Fans have eagerly awaited the inevitable induction of Marvel’s First Family into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. According to a report fromDeadline, the long-anticipated project seems to have pegged the writing duo of Springer and Kaplan to take charge of preparing a script for the film, which will lead the charge in the MCU’s Phase 6. The two have worked extensively together as co-writers on projects such as 2013’sBert and Arnie’s Guide to Friendship,The Last of the Great Romanticsfilm the following year, and the upcoming comedyDisaster Wedding. The two are expected to re-introduce the team to the cinematic audience while avoidingthe pitfalls that plagued the lastFantastic Fourreboot.
The report also clarified that the two writers had been on board all along and have been working hand in hand with Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige to map out the future movie’s place in the wider Marvel Cinematic Universe, as it will be the first project of the MCU’s Phase 6. The duo will then put minds together withWandaVisiondirector Matt Shakman, who was in initial talks to take on the project in August before the official announcement was made in September. Feige will be taking on the producer role.
Anticipation for the project has long since reached a fever pitch, with the short appearance of John Krasinski as Reed Richards in theDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnessfilm doubling the excitement. Speculations around the debut movie’s casting have also been heating up recently, with rumors aboutJason Segel being cast in the role of Ben Grimmand possibly making a cameo in theShe-Hulk: Attorney at Lawseries on Disney Plus being prominent, among many others.
While little is known about the new project’s overall direction, fans know for certain that it won’t be another origin story,as Feige explicitly stated earlier in the year. While the move was a well-reasoned one by Feige, this was still not welcome news to some fans who enjoyed the foundational building style employed for characters in earlier projects from the Marvel Cinematic Universe rollout, such asIron Man,Thor, andCaptain America: The First Avenger. How the format change will affect the film’s success and that of the subsequent Phase 6 rollout that hinges on it remains to be seen, but many would say that Marvel Studios' record speaks for itself.
Fantastic Fouris scheduled to be released in theaters on June 24, 2025.
MORE:5 Characters We Want To See In The MCU’s Fantastic Four (Who Aren’t The Fantastic Four)
