Spider-Man: No Way Home Director Jon Watts No Longer Directing Fantastic Four Film
Spider-Man: No Way Home director Jon Watts has stepped away from helming the upcoming MCU Fantastic Four film. He noted that he “needs a break from the superhero realm.” Deadline reported that Watt’s departure had “nothing sinister” attached and is expected to return to direct the next entry in the Spider-Man franchise reuniting with Tom Holland and Zendaya.
Watts had this to say of his work in the MCU and the Fantastic Four film:
“Making three Spider-Man films was an incredible and life changing experience for me. I’m eternally grateful to have been a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe for seven years. I’m hopeful we’ll work together again and I can’t wait to see the amazing vision for Fantastic Four brought to life.”
Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige and co-president Louis D’Esposito added:
“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.”
Watts has the first three Holland-led Spider-Man films under his belt with more to come. He is currently continuing his work on his project at Apple Studios which he is writing and directing. The film is set to star George Clooney and Brad Pitt who will portray rival “fixers” and find themselves hired for the same job.
In what seems to be a cursed Marvel property, Fantastic Four has had its ups and downs since its first live-action adaptation. Watts could have been a key creative piece to the upcoming live-action adaptation, but with the creative genius of Feige and the implementation of the property into the MCU, there is still plenty to be hopeful for as they continue to bring the project to life.
Source: Deadline