TheMarvel Cinematic Universestill has a ton of beloved characters from the comic book page who have yet to make it to the big screen. Among the most hotly anticipated fixtures of the franchise still waiting their turn in The Fantastic Four, and their long-awaited launch has hit a snag.
Marvel’sSpider-Mantrilogydirector Jon Watts recently stepped downfrom the project after three stellar films with the MCU brand. The show must go on, however, and the franchise undoubtedly will realign and ensure the once massively popular family makes it to the big screen on schedule. Making a new and improved Fantastic Four film carries some risks, seeing as all four of the ones released so far are universally despised. The MCU will need some big talent to give this hero team the showcase they deserve.
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Bryce Dallas Howard
This is less a called shot and more a look towards some very popular rumors circling production. The internet is ablaze with thesuggestion that the starofJurassic Worldmight take over the end of Marvel’s Phase Four heavy hitter. Though this is far from confirmed, the suggestion does make one wonder whether she’d be a good fit for the job, and there’s a good chance she would.
Howard is the daughter of beloved director Ron Howard. Her work in front of the camera is often better known, but she does have a few impressive director credits. She directed episodes 4 and 11 ofThe Mandalorian, along with the episode ofBook of Boba Fettthat’s basically justanother episode ofThe Mandalorian. She also helmed the 2019 documentaryDadsand a couple of acclaimed short films. Howard is an interesting and unexpected choice to take overFantastic Four, whether the rumors are true or not.
Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead
Yes, this stellar directing duo is fresh off ofMoon Knightand setto take overLokiseason 2, but the previous choice for the film’s director was also a Marvel veteran. Benson and Moorhead are among the best sci-fi talents of the modern era. High-concept science fiction and intense family drama are the bones of The Fantastic Four franchise, and Benson and Moorhead have proven themselves stellar at both.
Prior to being picked up by Marvel, Benson and Moorhead crafted masterful sci-fi stories with impressive vision and creativity.The Endlessis a cunning sci-fi horror film intermixed with a complex sibling relationship.Synchronicis a time-bending roller coaster with a hidden tale of fatherhood built in.Springis a gripping atmospheric body horror film, and body horror is a great direction for the Four’s powers, despite the failure of Josh Trank’s take on the concept. Benson and Moorhead may wind up too busy to take on the project, but they’d be great in the directors' chairs.
Alex Garland
Again, the most important aspects of Fantastic Four, the ones that set it apart from the average superhero team, are high-concept sci-fi and moving family drama. Alex Garland has crafted a couple of the best sci-fi stories of the generation, and he has managed to weave some deeply personal themes throughout them.
His take onAnnihilationis a wonderful examination of alternate realities and romantic partnership. Aspects of that 2018 film would be a perfect presentation for a Fantastic Four adaptation. Garland’s work as a screenwriter includes other comic book features likethe visceral 2012Dredd. He’s spoken out about his complicated relationship with Alan Moore’sSwamp Thing, but he could have great success with this comic book adaptation.
Duncan Jones
The director of thespectacular and beloved 2008 sci-fi classicMoonhas not quite recaptured the success of that film yet. His 2011 follow-upThe Source Codewas a well-received sci-fi thriller with a strong grasp on its core conceit. After that, he took on the notoriously unfilmableWarcraftand created an unwieldy mess that’s still better than most video game adaptations. Most recently, his 2018 Netflix filmMutefeatured a unique gimmick, but was reviewed horribly.
Jones has the clever vision and interesting technique to create great things, but a couple of rough projects have left him in a sad place. His current project, which he’s been working on since 2018, is an adaptation of the 80s and 90s English comic bookRogue Trooper. While nothing of that project has come out, it would be great to see this visionary try his hand at another big adaptation, this time without the stigma.
Gareth Edwards
The man behindRogue Oneandthe 2014Godzillawouldbe a great fit for Marvel’s first family. Edwards has worked for years as a visual effects pro and is clearly fascinated with space. While the director has never taken on a superhero film, he’s great with sci-fi and science fantasy settings.
The director is currently working on a film calledTrue Love, about which nothing is known but the title. Edwards could be a great director for The Fantastic Four film adaptation.
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