Unveiling the Hidden Story Inspiration for the Upcoming Fantastic Four Reboot

Article Overview

Director Matt Shakman is taking inspiration from Marvel Comics' Fantastic Four stories for the MCU reboot, rather than previous movie adaptations.

Ignoring the previous unsuccessful live-action adaptations, it is essential to concentrate on revitalizing and reinventing the Fantastic Four. The upcoming film should consider incorporating iconic adversaries such as Galactus, the Silver Surfer, and Doctor Doom, while placing emphasis on the team's dynamic and exploring their modern adventures as depicted in recent comic book storylines.

Matt Shakman, the director of Marvel Studios' Fantastic Four, has confirmed that he is drawing inspiration from the storylines in Marvel Comics for the upcoming MCU reboot of the titular team. After Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox's properties, which reverted the rights to Marvel's First Family, Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige announced the development of a Fantastic Four project in the MCU at SDCC 2019. Although Jon Watts, the director of the MCU's Spider-Man franchise, was initially attached, Shakman took over in September 2022. Since then, news about the Fantastic Four reboot has been scarce. However, new details are expected to be revealed soon, including information about the storyline for the Fantastic Four's first MCU adventure.

In a recent interview with Inverse to promote his Apple TV+ series Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, Shakman, who also directed the MCU's WandaVision, provided more insights into the upcoming MCU film. He mentioned that he would not be seeking inspiration from other movies, opting instead to look at the Fantastic Four storylines from Marvel Comics. He confirmed that he is influenced by iconic writers such as Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and John Byrne, as well as more contemporary contributors like Jonathan Hickman and Ryan North. This suggests that these writers' storylines could potentially shape the plot of the Fantastic Four's highly anticipated debut in the MCU.

Why Matt Shakman Is Right To Ignore Previous Fantastic Four Movies

I am more focused on the comics themselves rather than the other movies. Being a huge fan of comic books, my admiration for the Fantastic Four dates back to my childhood. From the works of Kirby and Lee to Byrne, and now following the recent contributions of Hickman, Wade, and Ryan North, I am dedicated to understanding the essence of these characters and bringing them to life in the most exceptional manner. This is the foundation and approach we have taken for this project.

20th Century Fox had two unsuccessful attempts at bringing the Fantastic Four to life in live-action. The first was in 2005 with "Fantastic Four" and its 2007 sequel, "Rise of the Silver Surfer." The second attempt was in 2015 with "Fantastic Four," which was actually considered one of the worst superhero films of the modern era. Matt Shakman is wise to disregard these previous endeavors and instead focus on a proper reinvention of the Fantastic Four. It is possible that he may even adapt a more faithful comic book storyline for the team. Shakman's inspiration from Marvel Comics could provide insights into which stories might be brought to the MCU's version of the Fantastic Four.

Over the years, actors such as Alex Hyde-White, Ioan Gruffudd, Miles Teller, and John Krasinski have portrayed Reed Richards, also known as Mister Fantastic, the leader of the Fantastic Four, in live-action.

Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and John Byrne revolutionized the Fantastic Four narrative by highlighting the team's strong family bond and introducing iconic foes like Ego and Galactus. This has led to speculation that Galactus and the Silver Surfer may make an appearance in the MCU's Fantastic Four. In more recent years, Jonathan Hickman’s Fantastic Four storyline from 2009-2011 took place during the Dark Reign event and featured Galactus, Iron Lad (Nathaniel Richards), and the formation of the Future Foundation. Ryan North's ongoing run of Fantastic Four showcases exhilarating new adventures for the team, including confrontations with the notorious Doctor Doom. With all these exciting developments, it's clear that Marvel Studios' Fantastic Four reboot is poised to deliver some thrilling action.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I am incredibly excited about the upcoming Fantastic Four reboot in the MCU. I grew up reading the Fantastic Four comics and watching the animated series, so I have a strong attachment to these characters. I am confident that Matt Shakman will do an excellent job of bringing the Fantastic Four to life on the big screen.

I appreciate Matt Shakman's decision to draw inspiration from the Marvel Comics storylines rather than the previous live-action adaptations. The Fantastic Four has a rich history in the comics, and there are many great stories that can be adapted for the MCU. I am particularly interested in seeing how Shakman will incorporate the team's dynamic and explore their modern adventures. I am also excited to see which iconic adversaries, such as Galactus, the Silver Surfer, and Doctor Doom, will be featured in the film.