Fantastic Four
- Created By: Stan Lee
- Owner: Marvel
There have been three Fantastic Four movies made in the last 20 years and a fourth is reportedly on the way. This will be the third iteration of the franchise on the big screen and the previous two left quite a bit to be desired for this group.
Fantastic Four Cast (2005)
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer
With 29 movies and a bunch of series already under its belt, one would think that Marvel had handled all of the stories it could reasonably tell on the big and small screen. But, if anything, it feels like things are only ramping up at the studio with more and more films and shows already in various stages of production. One of the most anticipated films, for some time now, is Marvel’s Fantastic Four which had been rumored for a while and is now set to hit theaters with a specific date.
It’s going to be a fruitful few years for the studio and we are going to get a whole host of new characters.
Let’s take a look at everything we know about Fantastic Four when it will release in theaters, who are taking over key roles, and what kind of story it could tell. There’s a lot to dive into even for a movie so far off into the future.
THE FANTASTIC FOUR INCLUDE REED RICHARDS, SUE STORM, JOHNNY STORM, AND BEN GRIMM
As one of the most popular and well-known groups of heroes in the Marvel Universe, it makes sense that fans have been itching for this foursome to make a debut in the MCU. But there’s also likely been reasons Kevin Feige and company have waited so long to do so.
The Fantastic Four is comprised of Reed Richards, Susan Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm. But you might know them better as their superhero alias Mister Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch, and Thing. The group first hit comic book stands in 1961 with a story that somewhat mirrored the United States’s budding fascination and move towards outer space.
The group was on a mission into the great unknown there when they were hit by cosmic rays which altered their bodies. Each ended up with a specific superpower.
Mister Fantastic can stretch and bend into basically any shape, Invisible Woman really needs no explanation, Human Torch gets a little hot under the collar, and Thing essentially turned into full-on stone with super strength to boot.
Over the years the Fantastic Four have had stories that dovetailed with nearly every character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The timeline is a rich one meaning this upcoming movie can go in just about any direction.
FANTASTIC FOUR WON’T BE AN ORIGIN STORY
While we aren’t sure exactly how Fantastic Four will unfold, it at least looks like we know how it won’t go down. That’s because Kevin Feige has already confirmed that the movie won’t be an origin story. He told The Hollywood Reporter, “A lot of people know this origin story. A lot of people know the basics. How do we take that and bring something that they’ve never seen before.”
In many ways, this is a good sign and it likely means we will see references or maybe even appearances by the characters leading into the movie. Marvel has been good with these kinds of teases in the past, and if we are picking up the story mid-stream then there’s no reason to hold back and not give a morsel or two about the characters and group leading out of Phase 5.
Not taking the origin story theme with Fantastic Four is something Marvel has done here and there with the MCU timeline so far. For instance, we picked up Tom Holland’s Peter Parker story when he was already becoming established as Spider-Man.
Scarlet Johansson’s Black Widow was somewhat similar though we did retroactively get an origin there when it was all said and done. So while Marvel often wants to give the full background, it’s good to know they won’t want to do the same with the Fantastic Four. Much like Spiderman, we already know how things played out at the beginning.
After it not being an origin story, some of the Fantastic Four plot will likely have to do while we (mostly) haven’t seen them up until now. The Multiverse cures some of these issues, but in the base timeline, they’ve been conspicuously absent even during the whole Infinity Saga. If any group should have kind of seen Thanos coming it would have been these folks. But they weren’t around at all. That will require at least some plausible explanation.
THERE HAVE BEEN TWO DIFFERENT FANTASTIC FOUR VERSIONS ALREADY ON THE BIG SCREEN
We’ve already seen two versions of the Fantastic Four on the big screen. The first set had two movies with Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, and Michael Chiklis in the lead roles. This was in 2005, a few years prior to Iron Man kicking off the MCU. That movie and its follow-up Rise of the Silver Surfer were generally panned, struggling to come up with a coherent story while the effects left quite a bit to be desired.
Then, in 2015 Josh Trank took a stab with a reboot movie that had Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael B. Jordan, and Jamie Bell as the foursome. Somehow, this one did even worse at both the box office and with critics. Any thoughts of a sequel were quickly scrapped.
JON KRASINSKI PLAYED REED RICHARDS IN DOCTOR STRANGE 2
And then, in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, we got our first real reference that the Fantastic Four were alive and kicking somewhere in the MCU. That’s because John Krasinski played a version of Reed Richards who sat on the Illuminati council along with Patrick Stewart’s Charles Xavier, Hayley Atwell’s Peggy Carter, Black Bolt, and Lashana Lynch’s Captain Marvel.
This group struggled, to say the least, with the Scarlett Witch and it sure doesn’t look like we are going to see Krasinski back in the Richards role.
In fact, none of these folks will be back for Fantastic Four and we are set to get an all-new casting for the group. Additionally, we could see the first inclusion of Doctor Doom around this time. He’s the archrival of the group and with the way the MCU is heading towards Secret Wars to finish off Phase 6, setting the table here would make some sense.
MATT SHAKMAN IS DIRECTING
This is another piece that’s up in the cosmos as of right now. Originally Jon Watts was supposed to helm the film, adding quite a bit of excitement around what to expect when it finally hit the big screen. He was responsible for the Spider-Man: Homecoming trilogy of films which concluded masterfully with No Way Home. But he stepped away from the project earlier in the year.
Now Matt Shakman has taken over directing duties. He’s best known for helming WandaVision in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the first series to come in this franchise on Disney+.
FANTASTIC FOUR WILL HIT THEATERS ON FEBRUARY 14, 2025
Even with all of the unknowns, there is one piece of news Marvel has set in relative stone. That’s the release date for Fantastic Four. It was set to hit theaters on November 8, 2024. But that was pushed back and now the plan for Marvel is to have the movie come to theaters on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2025.
Latest Fantastic Four News
Vanessa Kirby Being Cast As Fantastic Four’s Sue Storm?
Vanessa Kirby has finally responded to rumors she is in the running to play Invisible Woman, saying it would be “an honor.”
Vanessa Kirby Cast As Fantastic Four’s Sue Storm?
Hollywood scooper Grace Randolph claims that Vanessa Kirby might play Sue Storm in the upcoming Fantastic Four movie.
Gene Simmons Wrote Stan Lee Asking To Play One Of Marvel’s Most Iconic Heroes
Gene Simmons once asked Stan Lee if he could play The Thing in a Fantastic Four movie.
The Fakest Looking Fights Ever Seen In Movies
The worst movie fight scenes come from films like Mortal Kombat: Annihaliation, and both Street Fighter films.
Marvel’s Fantastic Four To Fight The Devil?
A new unconfirmed report suggests Mephisto will be the next MCU big bad.
Robert Downey Jr. Almost Played Marvel’s Biggest Villain
Robert Downey Jr. was originally sought after to play Doctor Doom in the 2005 Fantastic Four film.
Exclusive: Daveed Diggs Offered The Thing Role In Fantastic Four
We’ve learned that Marvel has officially offered the role of the Fantastic Four’s Ben Grimm, aka The Thing, to Daveed Diggs.
Marvel’s Fantastic Four Has Already Cast The Thing?
Marvel’s Fantastic Four reboot is rumored to include Daveed Diggs as Ben Grimm, The Thing.
See Adam Driver Suited Up As Mister Fantastic For Fantastic Four Movie
AI art shows what Adam Driver would look like as the leader of the Fantastic Four, Mister Fantastic, and he looks good!
Margot Robbie Looks Perfect As Fantastic Four’s Sue Storm, See The Photo
Margot Robbie is pictured as Sue Storm in this fan art.
Denzel Washington Turned Down The Biggest Marvel Villain Role?
Denzel Washington reportedly turned down the role of Galactus in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Margot Robbie Offered Susan Storm Role In Fantastic Four
Margot Robbie has been offered the role of Sue Storm in The Fantastic Four.
Exclusive: Antonio Banderas Offered Galactus In Fantastic Four Movie
Antonio Banderas may play Galactus in the upcoming Fantastic Four movie.
Our Adam Driver Marvel Scoop Confirmed, Star In Talks For Fantastic Four
Adam Driver is joining Marvel’s Fantastic Four, confirming our exclusive reporting.
Hold Your Excitement For Marvel’s New Fantastic Four Movie, Aleady In Trouble
Josh Friedman is rewriting the Fantastic Four MCU debut.
Scream Star Teases Fantastic Four Casting?
Scream 6 star Mason Gooding posted an image with a lighter and the caption “Flame On,” leading fans to think he’s the Fantastic Four’s next Human Torch.
Jessica Alba Did Not See Herself As A Woman Until Recently
Jessica Alba says she projected a masculine self-image to protect herself from predators in show business and only began embracing femininity upon becoming a mother.
Star Trek Is Influencing Marvel’s Most Important Upcoming Movie
Director Matt Shakman says his love of Star Trek influenced him to direct Fantastic Four.
Just When You Thought Star Trek 4 Was A Dead Project, In Swoops Matt Shakman
Matt Shakman says that, as far as he knows, Star Trek 4 is still moving forward.
Mila Kunis Joining Fantastic Four As Sue Storm?
Mila Kunis was spotted out having coffee with Matt Shakman, director of the MCU’s Fantastic Four film.
Fantastic Four Director Opens Up About The Casting
Matt Shakman has revealed that Fantastic Four casting announcements are all rumors.
See Dev Patel As Marvel’s Reed Richards
Dev Patel is the Fantastic Four’s Reed Richards in this fan art.
Fantastic Four’s Main Villain Revealed?
Rumor has it that the upcoming Fantastic Four movie’s villain will be Galactus.
It’s Always Sunny Star To Join Fantastic Four?
Glenn Howerton of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia would like to be in consideration to join the MCU’s Fantastic Four movie.
Exclusive: Jason Momoa In Final Talks For Marvel Role
Jason Momoa is close to closing a deal with Marvel Studios to join the MCU.
See Adam Driver As Marvel’s Mister Fantastic
Adam Driver is heavily rumored to be involved in the upcoming Fantastic Four film, an amazing fan design imagines the Star Wars star as Reed Richards, Mister Fantastic.
Adam Driver Joining Marvel As The World’s Greatest Genius?
Adam Driver is rumored to be joining Marvel in The Fantastic Four, as the Reed Richards of the main universe, taking over the role from John Krasinski’s one movie cameo.
See Henry Cavill As Marvel’s Reed Richards
Fan art has emerged online that places Henry Cavill in the role of Reed Richards for the MCU.
See Austin Butler Replace Chris Evans As The Human Torch
A fan on Instagram posted some fan art that has placed Austin Butler in the role of the Human Torch.
Exclusive: Dev Patel In Talks For Fantastic Four Lead Role
Dev Patel is in talks to portray Reed Richards in the Fantastic Four movie.
