Marvel's Epic Delay with Fantastic Four: What's Happening?
Marvel's Fantastic Four movie, slated for release in two years, faces ongoing delays, leaving fans eagerly awaiting updates on its progress unlike its competitor, Superman: Legacy, which has already announced its cast
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has undergone significant changes in the post Avengers: Endgame era. Previously limited to a select few heroes like Captain America and Iron Man, the franchise now has complete control over all Marvel Comics characters after Disney's acquisition of Fox.
The Disney takeover of Fox has had significant ramifications for the film and television industry, particularly for the MCU. Previously, Fox held the rights to the X-Men and the Fantastic Four, leading to the production of multiple films in those franchises throughout the 2000s and 2010s. While there were successes, such as the casting of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, there were also notable failures, including the 2015 Fantastic Four film. Although Fox achieved success with the X-Men to some extent, they struggled to establish the Fantastic Four onscreen. This presents an incredible opportunity for the MCU to introduce this superhero family into their universe and rejuvenate interest in a declining franchise.
However, it appears that the MCU is lagging behind in the development of the upcoming Fantastic Four film. Despite its scheduled release in 2025, there have been no updates or casting announcements, and the project has faced numerous delays along the way.
Fantastic Four is set to release the same year as Superman: Legacy
Since its official announcement in 2019, the development of the upcoming Fantastic Four film has experienced numerous delays. Notably, the original director Jon Watts has withdrawn from the project, and Matt Shakman, known for directing WandaVision, has taken over. Additionally, there have been no updates regarding casting or significant story points during this period.
For years, fans have naturally compared Marvel and DC, considering their remarkable successes in the comic and film industries. When comparing the progress of Fantastic Four with the new DCU project, James Gunn's Superman: Legacy, the latter has made substantial strides in recent months alone. The casting for the main characters has been announced, a seemingly completed script is in place, and pre-production has already commenced. In contrast, none of these steps have been taken for Fantastic Four. In previous years, Marvel has consistently demonstrated better organization and efficiency compared to DC, successfully launching their projects without much complication. The divergent paths of Fantastic Four and Superman: Legacy represent a significant departure from this previously established pattern.
Superman: Legacy has announced its cast already
Superman: Legacy's updates have been consistently regular ever since the film was announced last year. James Gunn, the writer and director, has been keeping fans informed about the film's story. Most notably, the film will not delve into Superman's origins, following the trend set by other superheroes like Spider-Man and Batman. Instead, it will focus on Clark Kent's early days at the Daily Planet, giving more attention to his human alter ego than previous iterations of the character. This shows that Superman: Legacy has been progressing rapidly in its development for several months. In contrast, the development of Fantastic Four seems to have stalled for too long.
Fantastic Four keeps hitting numerous delays
Marvel Studios and Disney have faced delays for the release of Fantastic Four, partly due to factors beyond their control such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the closure of movie theaters. These circumstances have slowed down progress on the movie along with the rest of the MCU slate. Despite these initial setbacks, subsequent delays, like the shift from a February 2025 release to May 2025, have left fans feeling frustrated. The prolonged wait for an authentic and exceptional adaptation of these beloved superhero characters continues. Although casting rumors, such as the possibility of Adam Driver portraying Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, have surfaced in recent months, nothing has been confirmed yet. The MCU is currently undergoing noticeable changes, reducing the number of Disney+ shows and movie releases per year. With audiences not embracing this new saga as much as the previous one, it becomes even more imperative to introduce some of the most iconic Marvel characters as soon as possible.
