The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s reboot of the Fantastic Four has been anything but, well, fantastic.
After initially being announced to much celebration, the upcoming re-release of the film that will introduce Marvel’s so-called First Family into the MCU has only been met with one delay after another.
In the latest update revealed by Jeff Sneider, filming, which was meant to start in April, has been pushed until the third quarter, potentially impacting its planned release date of May 2, 2025 – lest Marvel risks another Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantomania scenario.
Meanwhile, if Fantastic Four won’t start shooting until Q3 of this year… an early May 2025 release date sure does sound ambitious. We’ll see if that sticks. Unlikely, would be my guess. https://t.co/wy1MLlOx49
— Jeff Sneider (@TheInSneider) January 11, 2024
Pedro Pascal, widely rumored to be cast as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, has been central to this shift. Because of the revised filming schedule for Fantastic Four, Pascal has reportedly had to withdraw from his role in Zach Cregger’s horror film, Weapons, to accommodate his commitments to this major Marvel project.
Pascal, a prominent figure in Hollywood known for roles in The Mandalorian and The Last of Us, has a packed schedule for this year, which includes production of The Last of Us Season 2 starting in February 2024 followed by Jon Favreau’s Mando film, which also starts production this year. This overlap in several big-budget commitments by one of its presumed lead stars is likely a key factor in the delay of Fantastic Four.
The cast for Fantastic Four is still subject to official confirmation from Marvel Studios. However, rumors suggest an exciting lineup alongside Pascal, with names like Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing being floated around. Speculation about the casting of the film’s antagonist, Doctor Doom, has mentioned actors like Cillian Murphy and Mads Mikkelsen, though other contenders are likely in the mix.
This delay isn’t just about schedule conflicts, but also hints at the broader complexities of film production, especially for a studio like Marvel with multiple high-profile projects in the pipeline. The delay could affect the film’s narrative connection with other MCU stories, given the interconnected nature of Marvel’s cinematic universe.
Marvel Studios is usually consistent in adjusting release dates and production schedules to accommodate various factors, including casting, script development, and strategic planning within the larger MCU. While delays can be disappointing for audiences, they often result in more polished and cohesive final products. When they’ve strayed off that approach, we end up with something like the it’s latest slate of films, which haven’t gone well at the global box office.
The impact of this delay on the overall MCU timeline and future projects, including the involvement of the Fantastic Four in upcoming crossover events like Avengers: Secret Wars, remains to be seen. Ultimately Marvel fans will undoubtedly be watching closely for any updates or official announcements from Marvel Studios regarding the Fantastic Four reboot and its place in the ever-evolving Marvel Cinematic Universe.
