Marvel’s ‘Fantastic Four‘ will start filming at Pinewood Studios in London in Spring 2024.
In an interview with Collider, Director Matt Shakman revealed they are targeting a spring 2024 start for filming ‘Fantastic Four.’ He teased that the film would offer a unique experience and shared that a cast announcement would follow the resolution of the actors’ strike.
Shakman said, “It’s different in so many ways. I wish I could be specific. I wish I could say more. But we are doing things very differently from a story standpoint, from an approach to the filmmaking standpoint, that really fits the material.” He added, “I wish I could say more. I would love to, but I can’t. But I think it’s going to be unlike anything you’ve seen before, and certainly unlike anything at Marvel that you’ve seen before.”
Matt Shakman Excited About Balancing Science and Spectacle in ‘Fantastic Four’
Shakman mentioned that despite some challenges, they have been working on special effects and production design for ‘Fantastic Four.’ They are excited about bringing the comic book elements to life in a dynamic and scientifically grounded way.
He said, “Despite the strikes, yes, we’ve been working with the effects and with production design and building our world, and that’s been incredibly exciting. You know, how do you translate those skills into live-action in dynamic ways? Because some things that work beautifully in John Byrne and Jack Kirby are a little tougher when you’re filming them. How do you make sure that things are exciting but also grounded in a scientific thing, which is also part of the Fantastic Four that I love? There’s some stuff I’m super excited about. I can’t say too much, you know?”
Initially, the rumored cast for the film were Adam Driver, Margot Robbie, Paul Mescal, and Daveed Diggs. Driver was offered the role of Mr. Fantastic (Reed Richards), but later confirmed Driver is reportedly not interested in playing Reed Richards in Fantastic Four and passed on the role early on because “He couldn’t connect with the character.”
In Fantastic Four, Galactus is confirmed as the main villain, and Antonio Banderas was offered the role a few months ago, but no confirmation is available yet. In Marvel Comics, Galactus is a powerful cosmic character known for consuming planets to survive. He’s not a traditional villain but a force of nature, often appearing in stories involving characters like the Fantastic Four.
In Marvel Comics, the Fantastic Four team consists of four members: Mr. Fantastic (Reed Richards), the Invisible Woman (Susan Storm), the Human Torch (Johnny Storm), and the Thing (Ben Grimm). They got superpowers after being exposed to cosmic rays during a space mission, which granted them extraordinary abilities. Mr. Fantastic gained the power to stretch his body to incredible lengths; the Invisible Woman can render herself and others invisible; the Human Torch can control and generate fire; and the Thing possesses superhuman strength and a durable rocky exterior.
Produced by Kevin Feige, Grant Curtis, and Nick Pepin. ‘Fantastic Four’ hits theaters on May 2, 2025.
