As Marvel fans know, the MCU works in phases, and Phase 4, long-delayed thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, culminates with “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” on November 11. But Phase 5 stars shortly afterward, and Phase 6 is already in development. And now, perhaps the most intriguing Phase 6 film announced, “Fantastic Four,” has its writing team.
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Deadline reports that Hollywood up-and-comers Jeff Kaplan and Ian Springer are on board to pen the film’s script. They’re been at work with director Matt Shakman on the movie for a long time already, said insiders, including outlining the latter stages of Phase 6 films with MCU captain Kevin Feige. Once their visions align, Kaplan and Springer will begin writing “Fantastic Four.”
Feige confirmed Shakman as director of “Fantastic Four” at the D23 event earlier this month. He also mentioned there that casting for the film won’t start until the script is finished. An MCU “Fantastic Four” film has been hyped up since Disney acquired Fox, gaining rights to the comic series in the process. The upcoming film kicks off Phase 6 on November 8, 2024. After that come two new “Avengers” films: “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty” and “Avengers: Secret Wars,” both set for release in 2025. More Phase 6 titles are on the way.
Kaplan and Springer are relative unknowns in Hollywood, but they’ve quickly become two of the hottest properties in Tinsel Town. They sold several spec scripts in the past year, including the comedy “Disaster Wedding,” which Warner Bros. snatched up with “Palm Springs” director Max Barbakow on board.
“Fantastic Four” is still a couple of years off, but the addition of Kaplan & Springer means development is already underway. Still no word on yet if John Krasinski will reprise his role of Reed Richards from “Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness,” though. Stay tuned for updates on that front.