One of the most talked-about films coming in the future from the MCU has beenFantasticFour. The superhero quartet has endured multiple unfortunate big-screen depictions in the past, including the trainwreck that wasFan4stic, but Marvel is ready to do this team right as one of the first films in Phase 6. That process starts at the cast which, pun totally intended, is nothing short of fantastic. While rumors have swirled heavily regarding each member, we now know the full team lineup will include the previously announcedPedro Pascalas Reed Richards, aka Mister Fantastic withVanessa Kirbyplaying Invisible Woman /Sue Storm,Joseph Quinnas the Human Torch Johnny Storm, andEbon Moss-Bachrachas Ben Grimm, better known as The Thing. Along with the stunning cast announcements,Fantastic Fourwill now be released on August 20, 2025,giving up its previously announcedMay 2, 2025 date for the troubled anti-hero filmThunderbolts.
Even though their film appearances have left a lot to be desired, The Fantastic Four have always delivered when it comes to stars. That first team featuredIoan Gruffuddheading Marvel’s first family withJessica Alba,Michael Chiklis, and a pre-MCUChris Evans,whileFan4sticboastedMiles Telleras the world’s smartest man alongsideMichael B. Jordan,Kate Mara, andJamie Bell. Technically, Marvel added one more to the count withJohn Krasinskiwho got a brief moment toplay around in the MCU sandboxas a variant of Reed Richards inDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnessbefore being unceremoniously spaghettified by Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen). Fans certainly approved of his appearance, but it’s hard to argue against this starry new lineup.
With the superhero team now set,Fantastic Fourseems to be in good hands. Marvelappointed a proven veteraninWandaVisionhelmerMatt Shakmanto direct the project.Jeff KaplanandIan Springerwere hired to pen the scriptoriginally, butAvatar 4co-writerJosh Friedmanwas also brought infor extra firepower in the writers' room. Marvel has been putting in extra legwork to sure up its upcoming slate of films, includingconducting rewrites for theThunderboltsfilm, as opinions of the MCU have been souring of late. It’s important that such a major project hit, especially after things took their most disastrous turn yet withThe Marvelsbombing at the box office.
‘Fantastic Four’ Will Be “Unlike Anything at Marvel” We’ve Seen
Fantastic Fouris being hyped to the moon considering the popularity of the superhero team. Shakman, in particular, has teased that the starry project will be a standout in comparison to what the MCU has done in the past. Speaking to Collider’sSteve Weintraublast month forMonarch: Legacy of Monsters, the directorteased a new approach to the story and filmmaking processthat better fits the characters. He added in another interview with Screen Rantthat he believes this team and the film itself will be differentbecause The Fantastic Four are an actual family rather than the found family of the Avengers or X-Men.
As always, Marvel is keeping very quiet on any details of the story for the film, though we have at least some idea of what it’s not going to be.Kevin Feigeemphasizedthis won’t be aFantastic Fourorigin storybut will instead introduce them in a way that shows their vital importance to the films going forward. It’s fair to assume that they’ll eventually play a huge role in the next major crossover film,Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, if/when that film releases on June 07, 2025.
Fantastic Fouris currently slated for August 26, 2025.In the meantime, check out a previous interview with Shakman regarding the project below.
