The MCU’s Fantastic Four Sequel Takes a Blow Before it’s Even Officially Announced

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While The Fantastic Four: First Steps wasn’t a massive hit – earning just over $500 million – a setback for its sequel has now occurred. This first Marvel Cinematic Universe installment for the Fantastic Four introduced the team in a unique, retro-futuristic setting where they were seemingly the only heroes, ultimately saving their world from the villain Galactus. The film offered a fresh perspective while also respectfully honoring the classic stories by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in its visuals and plot. The Fantastic Four are set to reappear in Avengers: Doomsday, and will continue to be integrated into the MCU alongside the X-Men.

Director Matt Shakman may not be back to direct the next Fantastic Four movie. According to Deadline, he’s committed to a new Planet of the Apes film for 20th Century Studios. This won’t continue the story from the 2024 film Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes; it’s a fresh take on the franchise. While Deadline didn’t confirm how this affects the Fantastic Four sequel, it seems unlikely Shakman will be able to direct both unless Marvel delays the second Fantastic Four film for a few years.

When Could the MCU Release the Fantastic Four Sequel?

Just because Matt Shakman might direct the next Fantastic Four movie doesn’t mean it will be released quickly. The Marvel Cinematic Universe only has two films scheduled for this year: Spider-Man: Brand New Day in July and Avengers: Doomsday in December. Next year will only see Avengers: Secret Wars in December. Currently, no other films are planned for 2027, and 2028 is tentatively set for Black Panther 3, with Ryan Coogler directing, and a potential new Deadpool movie. A new X-Men film from Jake Schreier is also in the works, though its release date is still to be determined.

The next Fantastic Four movie might not be released until 2029. This leaves a window for director Matt Shakman to potentially finish his Planet of the Apes film and then return to the Fantastic Four project. Given the sci-fi elements typically found in Fantastic Four stories, post-production will require a significant amount of time. Marvel could also use the sequel to begin setting up a storyline featuring the villain Annihilus and the Negative Zone, making a creative director like Shakman a strong candidate for the job.

If Shakman were to leave the project, Marvel has several other talented directors they could consider. Destin Daniel Cretton, who directed Shang-Chi and Wonder Man and is currently working on Spider-Man: Brand New Day, would be a great choice. Brad Bird is another excellent option – a visionary director who hasn’t yet worked with Marvel. He’d be particularly well-suited if Marvel decides to pursue a more science fiction-focused story, given his work on films like The Incredibles. Currently, there’s no news about a sequel for the Fantastic Four, and Marvel hasn’t officially announced one, so the future of the team remains uncertain.

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2026-05-09 22:10