It’s very hard not to believe that Marvel is currently going through some kind of identity crisis. Between Jonathan Majors getting fired, “Blade” in constant turmoil, and the box- office disasters, we’re starting to wonder if they can actually bounce back.
Here’s another concerning development, via Daniel Richtman. The script for Marvel Studio's “Fantastic Four” is being rewritten, yet again. New writers were recently brought in to do the rewrites. This is the third total rewrite, that we know of.
In early 2022, Jeff Kaplan and Ian Springer were hired as writers for the film. By March 2023, Josh Friedman was hired to rewrite the script. The production start date on this film keeps being pushed back further and further. Last I checked, it’s now set to be shot in August 2024.
The film had been announced in 2019. By December 2020, Jon Watts was attached to direct; only to then exit the project two years later. Matt Shakman replaced Watts and has remained there ever since.
A cast hasn’t even been announced yet for the film, all we have are rumors, tons of them, all stemming from MCU scoopers and a few reliable sources. The latest ones have Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, Anya Taylor-Joy and Ebon Moss-Bacharach starring as the leads.
Whenever I have doubts about such an immense project being pulled off, artistically speaking, and the budget will surely be over $200 million for this one, I take a simple look at who is directing …
Marvel boss Kevin Feige decided that it was best to give this responsibility to TV director Shakman (“WandaVision,” “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”). Shakman has only directed one feature film in his career, 2014’s “Cut Bank,” which received terrible reviews.
That’s the thing about the current MCU, as long as they keep hiring second-string filmmakers, and refusing to give them an inch of creative freedom, then this ship will keep on sinking. The Fantastic Four was already turned into two disastrous movies, released in 2005 and 2007, and, again, revived in the clunky 2015 ‘Fant4stic’ reboot.
As mentioned, ‘Fantastic Four’ is supposed to start production in August at Pinewood Studios in London. Its theatrical release date is set for May 2, 2025, as part of Phase 5 of the MCU and the Multiverse Saga.
Criterion's December lineup has some great additions to the library, but the title that jumped out at me is Werner Herzog's "Grizzly Man," which officially joins the Collection on December 8.