Matt Shakman Says 'Fantastic Four' Has Not Been Affected By Marvel Drama

While any new entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is met with excitement by fans, the upcoming arrival of the Fantastic Four feels different.

The first family of Marvel is set to formally enter the MCU and anticipation is through the roof.

Photo: Complete Set

In a year that has seen a series of ups and downs for Marvel, the arrival of the Fantastic Four, and eventually, the X-Men, remains the studio’s silver bullet.

Marvel Drama Has Not Affected ‘Fantastic Four’

In a recent interview with The Playlist’s The Discourse Podcast, Fantastic Four director Matt Shakman reassured fans that any behind-the-scenes drama at Marvel Studios has not impacted the upcoming Fantastic Four film.

Photo: Deadline

“It hasn’t,” Shakman, who also directed WandaVision, confirmed. “I mean, we’ve been on our process consistently. I’ve been on the project for a little over a year and working away hard at it the way we’d work on any film at Marvel, and certainly, the way we worked on WandaVision, which is starting with, you know, what is the story we want to tell? What is the theme of the story? Why are we telling this story?”

Fantastic Four
Credit: Marvel

“And just developing then the best possible version of that story. And how do we want to bring these characters to life? So, you know, in terms of outside influence or conversations, it hasn’t really been a factor. It’s always high stakes. You always have to get it right.”

A New Writer Joins the Project

The biggest question surrounding Fantastic Four is who will play the titular heroes. While Shakman knows who the film’s stars will be, that information will kept under wraps until the end of the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike.

Source: Marvel

Shakman did reveal, however, that WandaVision writer Cameron Squires has been brought on to work on the draft for the movie’s screenplay. He will be joining screenwriter Josh Friedman on the project.

In addition to working with Squires on WandaVision, Shakman worked with Friedman on Star Trek 4 before leaving the project.

“I came on [to Star Trek 4] and worked with Josh Friedman, who I’m working with on Fantastic Four now, and Cam Squires, who I’d worked with on WandaVision, and we worked on a draft together, which was tremendous fun,” Shakman said.

When Will ‘Fantastic Four’ Be Released?

Fantastic Four is currently set to be released on May 2, 2025. As of now, there is no indication that the release date will change due to the SAG-AFTRA strike.