Jon Watt’s exit from the Fantastic Four project has shaken up MCU fans over who could replace the director. The news of the Spider-Man: No Way Home helmer’s pullout from Marvel’s first family feature film has started a new debate on social media with many sharing their wishlist directors that Marvel Studios could sign up, particularly, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness director Sam Raimi, A Quiet Place director John Krasinski on the top of the list.
The development of Fantastic Four was only confirmed last year by Marvel Studios with an official logo reveal. Since then, there hasn’t been any update except rumors that casting was underway for Reed Richard, Human Torch and others. In fact, the timing of those reports crisscrossed with the Doctor Strange 2 trailer which added more fuel to indications that Mr. Fantastic Four could be in the multiverse sequel. Now, Watt’s exit has some worried while others are hoping the studio could reach out to directors with expertise in creating family-centric blockbusters.
Some of the names being thrown around along with Krasinski and Raimi include Oscar winner Brad Bird. The Iron Giant director has excelled in the animation world with titles like The Incredibles, Ratatouille and even earned an Oscar nomination for The Incredibles 2. Meanwhile, some are also suggesting Jurassic World: Dominion star Bryce Dallas Howard for the directorial chair. In fact, her work helming The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett earned acclaim responses from critics and fans alike. Other names suggested were Ant-Man director Peyton Reed, Iron Man helmer Jon Favreau etc. Readers can check out the tweets below.
Who do you want to replace Jon Watts as director of Fantastic Four ??
— HANNAHROMANOVAH 🥰♥️ (@hannahromanovah) April 30, 2022
Would rather see him do this than Fantastic Four in all honesty. Kinda how the rumours about Krasinski being the director and star of that are true as well. https://t.co/W9nJ1xUypd
— Steven Spoilsberg (@heavyspoilers) April 30, 2022
I'd say get Brad Bird on the phone for #FantasticFour. His experience is … Incredible… Get it? 😃
I'll see myself out. ✌🏿🚶🏿♂️ https://t.co/QHUgopimPP
— Emmanuel "E-Man" Noisette – #RecastTChalla (@EmansReviews) April 30, 2022
hate to post “good director should direct marvel movie” tweets but supposing he enjoyed working on doctor strange there’s really no better option for the new fantastic four than Raimi
— NICK: THE WAY OF THE WATER (@nikc_is_sad) May 1, 2022
That sucks now we got to wait longer for Fantastic Four to join The MCU! I’m hoping they get either John Krasinski or Brad Bird as a director! https://t.co/smnHSGJhMo
— Josh ❤️ Moon Knight & Halo #BlackLivesMatter (@supermangeek101) April 30, 2022
Kinda wish he wasn’t directing Multiverse of Madness now because a Sam Raimi Fantastic Four movie would be PERFECT pic.twitter.com/ramaJebn35
— 𝗠𝗘𝗥𝗖Ʊ𝗥𝗬 (@theeSNYDERVERSE) April 29, 2022
Get Brad Bird to direct a heartfelt, funny, family centered Fantastic Four film and watch the box office explode! pic.twitter.com/ubAtbnGKpp
— mandy//The Battinson IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS (@BattinsonMarvel) April 29, 2022
Honestly is there any reason not to at least offer Sam Raimi FANTASTIC FOUR
— Avishai ✡ Weinberger (@avishaiw) May 1, 2022
It feels so good to know that Sam Raimi was told to be himself cause that’s when he really cooks up good shit
I hope he gets to finally do Spider-Man 4 or is in line to direct Fantastic Four https://t.co/njuDlSSgdC
— ⚡ (@ElzGoth) May 1, 2022
NOT SAYING I WANT HIM AS REED, but I'd be down for John Krasinski to direct a Fantastic Four film in all honesty. He presents films with themes of family really well. #FantasticFour pic.twitter.com/w3WOKfUKKx
— DAVIDTRACHOFFICIAL (@DAVIDTRACHOFFI1) April 30, 2022
Maybe JOHN KRASINSKI is playing Reed Richards he could be direct Fantastic Four ! Mind u he directed Quiet place series which features a family based sci fi horror drama. The dynamic of the family in those movies were great! So who knows ! John is talented there’s no denying
— comics2fun (@comics2fun) April 30, 2022
John Krasinski directing and starring in the Fantastic Four film would be IDEAL. pic.twitter.com/lzDqxGhYra
— S. (@rockybqlboa) April 30, 2022
I feel like Peyton Reed or John Krasinski are the most likely directors for Fantastic Four pic.twitter.com/e4Ale8V0KO
— CAPTAIN_117 #MOONKNIGHT (@captain_117) April 30, 2022
Watts is the only MCU director to have helmed a trilogy and is expected to return for the fourth Spider-Man movie starring Tom Holland and Zendaya. It shouldn’t come as a surprise the director needed a break.
Watts stepping back has received the support of MCU chief Kevin Feige, stating: “Collaborating with Jon on the Spider-Man films has been a true pleasure. We were looking forward to continuing our work with him to bring the Fantastic Four into the MCU but understand and are supportive of his reasons for stepping away. We are optimistic that we will have the opportunity to work together again at some point down the road.”
It remains to be seen who Marvel could hire to helm Fantastic Four and if Watts’ dropout could delay the project further. In fact, the film does not have a release date attached nor an update on the writer penning the story/script.
