MCU Fantastic Four Movie Casting Gets First Update From Director In 8 Months

Marvel Studios’ Fantastic Four director is finally offering a new casting update. The Fantastic Four is an iconic Marvel team that has appeared on-screen before, as 2005’s Fantastic Four and 2007’s Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer both adapted a version of Marvel’s first family. The franchise was eventually rebooted into 2015’s Fantastic Four, which was a critical box-office disaster. After two decades, the family — which consists of Mr. Fantastic, the Invisible Woman, the Thing, and the Human Torch — will soon be starring in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but it has been months since the movie’s last update.

With the WGA strike officially over, director Matt Shakman is ready to return to developing the latest Fantastic Four movie. Eight months after the last major update, Shakman spoke to Collider about the movie’s development. While the SAG-AFTRA strike continues, Marvel Studios cannot negotiate with actors, leaving Shakman unable to announce any members of the cast. Shakman is expecting an announcement to come, however, and is excited to offer that news. Check out his quote below:

“We’re in the middle of a SAG strike, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that they get a great deal really soon and we can go back. Then, once that’s resolved, there’ll be a plan at that point, but I can’t say too much. There will be an announcement at some point! I know that the internet is very excited to find out, and I’m excited to share it. I just can’t do it yet.”

The last significant MCU Fantastic Four update came eight months ago when Shakman announced his plan to begin filming in early 2024. This decision was announced before the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, meaning that the timelines have likely been pushed back. The MCU still needs to announce the casting, and then the actors will need to arrange their scheduling. While the official casting selection is likely still ongoing, there have been some frontrunners who stand out among the rest.

Some reports indicated that Vanessa Kirby and Joseph Quinn were being considered to play Sue and Johnny Storm. Quinn is best known for his role as Eddie Munson in Stranger Things season 4, while Kirby is known partly for playing the White Widow in Mission: Impossible – Fallout. Matt Smith (Doctor Who) and Adam Driver (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) have been rumored to play Mr. Fantastic. Daveed Diggs (Hamilton) was speculated for the Thing.

While these actors appear to be the frontrunners, other Fantastic Four casting rumors have also been circulating. Speculation continues about Margot Robbie (Barbie) and Emily Blunt (Oppenheimer) potentially playing the Invisible Woman. Paul Mescal (Gladiator 2) or Jack Quaid (The Boys) could appear as her brother. Many of these rumors have been encouraged by Twitter insiders and speculating supporters. Unfortunately, the Fantastic Four casting announcement will likely come when the SAG-AFTRA strike finally comes to an end.

Source: Collider

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