Fantastic Four movie lands producers from the best Marvel TV show
‘They are the same guys who are running Fantastic Four’
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Full spoilers follow for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
MarvelStudios' Fantastic Four movie has secured the services of two producers who worked on the MCU’s best TV series.
Speaking toComicbook.com,Moon Knighthead writer Jeremy Slater revealed that Grant Curtis and Nick Pepin – who co-executively producer the Oscar Isaac-starringDisney Plus show– had boarded the upcomingMarvel movie.
Marvel’s Fantastic Four flick is still in the early stages of development, so it may be a while before we receive official word on Curtis and Pepin’s involvement. Slater’s comments, though, all but confirm that they’ll be part of theMarvel Phase 4project’s chief creative team.
“My execs on Moon Knight are the same guys who are running Fantastic Four, so we had a lot of talks about it,” Slater explained. “I was like, ‘I’m not going to pitch you for anything, because honestly you don’t need my stink on it.'”
Curtis and Pepin are the first individuals – Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige aside – to board the Disney subsidiary’s Fantastic Four reboot.Spider-Man: No Way Homedirector Jon Watts had been attached to helm thesuperhero flick, but Watts departed in early May, citing the need for a break from the superhero genre.
On May 10, we reported on rumors linkingThe Mandaloriandirector Bryce Dallas Howard withtaking over from Watts on directing duties. Unsurprisingly, Marvel is yet to comment on the speculation and, given the original source for the rumor, we suggest that you take it with a big pinch of salt for the time being.
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It’s also unclear if John Krasinski (The Office US, A Quiet Place) will reprise his role as Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic for the Fantastic Four’s MCU movie.
Marvel fans had long called for Krasinski to portray the Fantastic Four’s leader in the MCU, and those specific viewers got their wish in the recently releasedDoctor Strange 2. Krasinski appeared as Reed Richards as part of Earth-838’s Illuminati line-up –one of a number of cameosin the multiverse-centric film. However, there’s no word on whether he’ll return as Reed Richards for the group’s MCU flick, even though Marvel isbelieved to have begun casting for its Fantastic Four feature.
For more MCU-based content, find outwhy we think Doctor Strange 2 should have used a specific Marvel movie criticism to its advantage.
Analysis: trading the supernatural for the scientific
If Curtis and Pepin have been installed as executive producers on Marvel’s Fantastic Four movie, the duo will trade the supernatural side of the MCU for a more science-based approach.
Moon Knight was very much centered on the mystical and paranormal facets of the MCU; its exploration of gods, monsters, and the other-worldly positioning it as a metaphysical project – much likeDoctor Strangeand, to some extent,Black Panther– compared to the far more realistic and grounded films and shows likeIron ManandFalcon and the Winter Soldier.
Fantastic Four is likely to fall into the latter category. Sure, the group acquire their powers and abilities after they’re exposed to cosmic rays – in the comics, at least – but their origins and large parts of their comic series runs are rooted in science. In that sense, Reed Richards and company don’t deal with the afterlife or mythical beings. Instead, they deal with space, the concept of time, and alternate dimensions (and the villains that inhabit them).
For Curtis and Pepin, working on a Fantastic Four film will be a far cry from producing Moon Knight. Given the critical acclaim and positive fan reception that the most recent Marvel TV show has received, though – it currently holds a7.5/10 rating on IMDb.com, plus 87% and 92% critical and audiences receptions onRotten Tomatoes– the pair’s influence on Moon Knight’s development can’t be understated.
Add in the fact that Curtis worked on Sam Raimi’sSpider-Mantrilogy, plus Pepin’s involvement in other MCU projects such asShang-Chi,Loki, andWandaVision, the pair are clearly well versed in producing various comic book live-action projects across numerous genres. As long as Slater hasn’t got the wrong end of the stick, Marvel Studio’s Fantastic Four movie is in very safe and capable hands with Curtis and Pepin, as well as Feige and fellow Marvel producers Brad Winderbaum, Victoria Alonso, and Louis D’Esposito.
As TechRadar’s senior entertainment reporter, Tom covers all of the latest movies, TV shows, and streaming service news that you need to know about. You’ll regularly find him writing about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and many other topics of interest.
An NCTJ-accredited journalist, Tom also writes reviews, analytical articles, opinion pieces, and interview-led features on the biggest franchises, actors, directors and other industry leaders. You may see his quotes pop up in the odd official Marvel Studios video, too, such as thisMoon Knight TV spot.
Away from work, Tom can be found checking out the latest video games, immersing himself in his favorite sporting pastime of football, reading the many unread books on his shelf, staying fit at the gym, and petting every dog he comes across.
Got a scoop, interesting story, or an intriguing angle on the latest news in entertainment? Feel free to drop him a line.
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