Kevin Feige discusses the Fantastic Four’s role in the MCU’s upcoming sixth phase. The Marvel Cinematic Universe is giving one of the most recognizable teams in the Marvel Universe its due. Disney’s purchase of 20th Century Fox meant that Marvel Studios could once again use the Fantastic Four name in their film projects.
Now that they have the rights again, the MCU is determined to integrate Marvel’s founding family into the expanding Avengers universe. WandaVision’s Matt Shakman has been tapped to helm a Fantastic Four standalone film, which is presently in development and set to debut as part of Phase 6.
Production is slated to begin in early 2024 in anticipation of a 2025 premiere. Since speculation about the Fantastic Four has persisted, Feige told Entertainment Weekly that we can expect an announcement shortly. The head of Marvel Studios has stated that the Fantastic Four will play a significant role in the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Feige has stated that the beloved Marvel team will be “a significant component of the MCU” as they move on from other characters.
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In my 23 years, I have only ever known about the Fantastic Four as an alternative. We touched on mutants and the Marvel universe in general, but the Fantastic Four paved the way for future Marvel books. There have been adaptations of it [on screen], but never inside the MCU’s canon.
This is quite thrilling for us. It won’t be long before it becomes common knowledge. Much as superheroes have been central to comic books for the past 50–60 years, we want them to remain so in the MCU.
How The MCU Is Setting Up The Fantastic Four?
Although being the third time the Fantastic Four have appeared on the big screen, the MCU is taking a different approach to assembling the squad. Even though the Fantastic Four have yet to be given any substantial screen time in the MCU, director Kevin Feige has assured fans that the upcoming film would not serve as an origin narrative.
So, by the time the heroes are introduced to the MCU, they will already be equipped with their abilities. No one knows how long they’ve been in business.
But the Fantastic Four themselves won’t be showing up, a significant villain from that team will be featured in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantum Mania. Having first appeared in Loki Season 1, Kang the Conqueror will receive more screen time in the next Ant-Man sequel.
Just announced in Hall H:
Marvel Studios’ Fantastic Four, in theaters November 8, 2024. #SDCC2022 pic.twitter.com/NAXsIgtVJr
— Fantastic Four (@FantasticFour) July 24, 2022
Nathaniel Richards is not just an opponent of the Fantastic Four, but he is also a relative of Reed Richards in the comics. The Fantastic Four are presumably meant to play a role in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, so this will set up a later clash in the MCU.
The long wait for their Marvel Cinematic Universe debut will be worthwhile. It’s reasonable that Feige and his crew have been taking their time finalizing preparations for the Fantastic Four, given the group’s massive importance in Marvel canon. Marvel Studios will hopefully announce the whole cast for the Fantastic Four reboot as 2023 progresses.
Fantastic Four Release Date
According to gamesredar, Fantastic Four’s original release date of November 8, 2024, which was announced by none other than Kevin Feige at San Diego Comic-Con, has been pushed back many months to February 14, 2025, due to a reorganization of Marvel’s release calendar.
With Black Panther: Wakanda Forever concluding Marvel Phase 4 and Thunderbolts wrapping off Phase 5, the film is still scheduled to kick off Phase 6.
Fantastic Four Plotline
Marvel has yet to unveil the film’s premise, although Kevin Feige has stated that it would not be an origin story like the previous Fantastic Four movies. The initial source of the quartet’s superpowers, exposure to cosmic rays on a scientific mission to outer space, will no longer be depicted on screen.
“This is a well-known genesis story. Many people have a basic understanding. How can we use that to show them something completely new? Feige remarked at San Diego Comic-Con, “We’ve set a very high standard for ourselves in bringing that to the screen.”
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Considering the origin narrative has served as the basis for past adaptations, it stands to reason that Marvel will take a new tack with the forthcoming film. In addition to this, the company rarely uses canonical plots in MCU films. The Fantastic Four have been around since 1961, thus they have plenty of room to explore new territory.
Namor, the Silver Surfer, Galactus, Doctor Doom, and KI’rt are only a few of the villains the next film may feature. Ronan the Accuser, portrayed by Lee Pace in Captain Marvel and Guardians of the Galaxy, is someone they’ve encountered before.
Fantastic Four Cast Members: Who Are In It?
Despite many reports, the Fantastic Four still doesn’t have a cast. Marvel hasn’t even confirmed if any of its former stars will be returning to reprise their roles in the next picture. We’ll let you know as soon as the Fantastic Four cast is official. To tide you over until then, we’ve compiled all we know about Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm.
Who Will Play Reed Richards? Will John Krasinski Star in Fantastic Four?
Mister Fantastic, aka Reed Richards, is the original member of the Fantastic Four. He has a wide range of scientific knowledge, including competence in engineering, alien biology, chemistry, and physics, and he also happens to be one of the most powerful superheroes in the world. His flexibility is legendary. Who will play Marvel’s brightest mind, if anyone?
You may recognize John Krasinski as Richards from his role in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. In the universe, he was a member of the Illuminati, a secret society of superheroes responsible for policymaking.
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Together with Black Bolt (Anson Mount), Captain Carter (Hayley Atwell), Captain Marvel (Lashana Lynch), Professor X (Patrick Stewart), and Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor), he served as a judge for Stephen Strange’s (Benedict Cumberbatch) actions across dimensions.
Being the “smartest man alive,” he was depicted in the iconic blue Fantastic Four costume, replete with an emblem. Richards even brought up his family, including his wife (who we assume to be Sue Storm) and their kids. A major snag, however, is that Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) ruthlessly murdered him within minutes after his introduction.
Hence, it’s tough to say whether or not Krasinski will continue to portray Richards. Of again, since we’re talking about the multiverse, there could very well be another version of the character on Earth 616. The Fantastic Four movie may center on this character, but it’s unclear if Krasinski’s appearance will be retained.
While most of Doctor Strange’s alternates looked like him, various actors have taken on the role of Loki and Spider-Man. With that in mind, it’s probably safe to assume that Krasinksi will be back and place another wager. With his popularity as an actor and his status in Hollywood, it seems unlikely that we have seen the last of him in a costume.
However, Sam Raimi, who directed Multiverse of Madness, has stated that the casting was done just to satisfy fan expectations. The film’s director jokes in the film’s audio commentary that Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige chose John because the fans had a dream of who the perfect Reed Richards would be. “And because this is an alternate reality, I guess Kevin thought, ‘Let’s make that dream come true,'” the director adds.
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Even Krasinski has doubts about his return. According to Krasinski’s interview with TheWrap, “there aren’t any discussions at all, the only discussion I had was actually in the second-to-last week of Jack Ryan” (opens in new tab). “Kevin Feige asked if I would be interested in taking a day trip to Los Angeles to “play in our sandbox.”
In a word, yes. When production in Budapest concluded, I immediately boarded a plane for the set of Doctor Strange. As a huge fan of the show, getting to spend a day in the shoes of my favorite characters and exploring their fictional universe was an incredible experience.”
The role of Mister Fantastic has been portrayed by Ioan Gruffudd and Miles Teller, among others. When asked about a possible comeback, Gruffudd told Digital Spy(opens in new tab) that he would “much rather” come back as the bad guy. Teller, on the other hand, told ComicBook.com(opens in new tab) that he wasn’t completely set against a return to the superhero genre. What he stated was: “I feel like those characters in the film and TV versions have matured a lot. And I think they’ve started exploring the depths of these characters’ complexities.”
Teller previously stated in an interview with The Digital Fix(opens in new tab) that he “wouldn’t have a problem” appearing in a future Marvel movie, provided the script was solid and he could envision himself working with the film’s established cast and crew.
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