The Marvel Cinematic Universe reboot of Fantastic Four may be without a director, but according to a new report, that could change in a big way.
Deadline reporter Justin Kroll shared some insider information about the hunt to replace Jon Watts on Fantastic Four, claiming Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige is taking his time. "One source says don't expect it to be filled anytime soon as they are not even close to cutting down [a] long list of candidates," Kroll tweeted, followed by a quote from his source, reading, "I'd be shocked if a choice is made before labor day." But while the project may be moving slower than fans had hoped, Kroll did reveal some rather interesting behind-the-scenes info about the director search.
According to Kroll, Feige and Marvel Studios are looking at some big-name directors along the lines of Sam Raimi, who recently made a splash with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. With the MCU expanding into TV, Feige has been stretched thin as the creative head of the growing universe, and it seems having an experienced director like Raimi at the helm of such a big project was a blessing he hopes to recreate.
"While no names have surfaced, multiple sources say while it's a large mix of candidates, Feige and company are taking a lot of shots at some big names," Kroll wrote. "One source close to [the] process [said], 'Kevin doesn't want [to] oversee [the] entire shoot, and after not having to worry about that with Raimi, he is very game [for the] same outcome with this shoot.'"
Marvel Studios has worked with plenty of established directors, but the company often looks to foster young and emerging talent, especially from the world of indie films. While Raimi came from the world, he's spent his career crafting numerous blockbuster films, including three Spider-Man movies. It seems that for the reboot of Fantastic Four, the studio wants to ensure success with a proven hand.
Doctor Strange 2 quickly passed the half a billion mark after its release in May. A month since it debuted, the movie has already grossed $879.5 million globally. While 20th Century Fox's first two Fantastic Four films did well at the box office, the 2015 reboot failed to perform with audiences or critics. Now that the family will finally be entering the MCU, it seems Marvel Studios isn't taking any chances.
Of course, with a director announcement still some time away, it's unclear when casting for Fantastic Four will be revealed. A rumor in January claimed the process was already underway, and Doctor Strange 2 introduced John Krasinski as Reed Richards. Whether he'll return to the role for Fantastic Four is unclear, but either way, it's unlikely the film's stars will be announced before the studio locks in a director.
Fantastic Four does not yet have a release date.
Source: Twitter
