FANTASTIC FOUR Director Matt Shakman Explains Why He Left STAR TREK 4 To Helm MCU Reboot

FANTASTIC FOUR Director Matt Shakman Explains Why He Left STAR TREK 4 To Helm MCU Reboot

Matt Shakman has spoken for the first time about his decision to leave Star Trek 4 in order to direct Marvel Studios' Fantastic Four reboot. He also confirms that production is scheduled for early 2024.

By MarkCassidy - Feb 07, 2023 11:02 PM EST
Filed Under: Fantastic Four

WandaVision director Matt Shakman was all set to helm Star Trek 4 for Paramount Pictures, but parted ways with the sci-fi sequel when the opportunity to work on Marvel Studios' Fantastic Four reboot came his way.

Now, Shakman has spoken about his decision for the first time, explaining that the chance to bring Marvel's First Family back to the big screen was simply too difficult to turn down.

“I had a great time working on Star Trek for a little over a year, working closely with J.J. Abrams and everyone at Paramount, and I love that franchise, and I love that cast that J.J. put together, and it would have been an unbelievable pleasure to work with them on the fourth installment there,” the filmmaker tells The Wrap. “But movies have different journeys and momentums and schedules are a little bit mercurial, and so when the ‘Fantastic Four’ opportunity came up, it was just too hard to pass up, and to go back home to Marvel, a place that I worked on ‘WandaVision’ at, with those people who are wonderful collaborators.”

Shakman didn't really delve into any potential story details, but he did give us some idea of what drew him to the team in the first place, pointing out that The Fantastic Four and Star Trek have some things in common.

“It’s really a family there, and to be able to go back and tackle something that I truly love, and they’re very similar in some ways: they both were launched in the ’60s at the same time, they’re both about optimism and looking to the stars and technology can solve everything and they’re about family too — the family you have, the family you make. So they’re aligned in many ways and speak to my heart and equally, so I’m excited to be working on Fantastic Four.”

Marvel has yet to make any official casting announcements for the movie, but Dev Patel is the latest actor rumored to be a top contender for the role of Reed Richards.

Fantastic Four is currently scheduled to hit theaters on Feb. 14, 2025. Production has been confirmed to commence early next year.

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MrDandy
MrDandy - 2/7/2023, 11:21 PM
Marvel pays better? Or the Star Trek Kelvin cast is mad expensive and hard to green light?
ossie85
ossie85 - 2/7/2023, 11:49 PM
@MrDandy - I'd say given Star Trek 4 has been in development hell, and Marvel produces movies very quickly, he probably went with the more sure thing
Mrtoke
Mrtoke - 2/8/2023, 2:06 AM
@ossie85 - better pay is also a sure thing lol let it be trekkie to direct and they’ll explain why they left an mcu job haha
dragon316
dragon316 - 2/8/2023, 5:09 AM
@ossie85 - they may be fast but all they all good sometimes being fast is bad thing that’s how dc messed not taking there time
The1st
The1st - 2/8/2023, 9:42 AM
@dragon316 - I don't want a 4 really anyway with Yelchin's passing. How do you do a TOS cast movie without the entire cast?
THEDARKKNIGHT1939
THEDARKKNIGHT1939 - 2/7/2023, 11:21 PM
I read that as Shrek 4 for a second.
Kurban
Kurban - 2/7/2023, 11:24 PM
Star Trek is a lost cause. The MCU is too, really, but I’m sure they pay better.
TheVandalore
TheVandalore - 2/8/2023, 3:13 AM
@Kurban - because of the people running the IPs, not because of the IPs.
GhostDog
GhostDog - 2/7/2023, 11:31 PM
Project can’t come soon enough
TheWalkingCuban
TheWalkingCuban - 2/7/2023, 11:40 PM
It’s about family
MCUKnight11
MCUKnight11 - 2/8/2023, 12:02 AM
If it's an offer from Marvel, you don't refuse it.
TheSuperMex
TheSuperMex - 2/8/2023, 12:10 AM
Probably because Marvel paid more.

TheVandalore
TheVandalore - 2/8/2023, 3:16 AM
@TheSuperMex - the first time I saw this gif I thought it was [frick]ing incredible. The second time and every time after, I can't stop laughing at how trash the Super Sayain hair looks lmao
OriginalGusto1
OriginalGusto1 - 2/8/2023, 12:24 AM
I'm gonna go with a dumptruck full of cash for 900, Ror.
dracula
dracula - 2/8/2023, 12:31 AM
Star Trek 2009 got me into the franchise
Star Trek Into Darkness went to shit after the Khan reveal
Star Trek Beyond was cool, felt like a modern big budget version of a classic episode

Then they brought star trek back to tv and all good will went out the window. Seriously even Picard sucked

Best star trek series

GhostDog
GhostDog - 2/8/2023, 12:51 AM
OT

He did it. Respect for a monumental feat
TheSuperMex
TheSuperMex - 2/8/2023, 12:57 AM
@GhostDog - I knew he was going to break from the beginning.

bobevanz
bobevanz - 2/8/2023, 5:19 AM
@GhostDog - not bad when you have 20 years to break it
KWilly
KWilly - 2/8/2023, 6:32 AM
@GhostDog - 2nd greatest player of all time imo. And for anyone who does think he's better than MJ, I can't blame u
GhostDog
GhostDog - 2/8/2023, 8:17 AM
@TheSuperMex - LeLiar
GhostDog
GhostDog - 2/8/2023, 8:18 AM
@bobevanz - I’m not the biggest LBJ fan but scoring as consistently as he did at that level is incredible. 20 years of never having a down year is insane.
TheSuperMex
TheSuperMex - 2/8/2023, 10:35 AM
@bobevanz - other players played 20 years like Malone and Dirk and they couldn’t get there.
DocSpock
DocSpock - 2/8/2023, 2:08 AM


If he gets Fantastic 4 right, he will be the golden boy like the Russos after Winter Soldier.

If he screws the pooch like Eternals, he'll be rooting around in the studio dumpster for lunch.

FilmGuy7878
FilmGuy7878 - 2/8/2023, 7:49 AM
@DocSpock - That's a really f***ing accurate statement lol.
IronDean2099
IronDean2099 - 2/8/2023, 9:15 AM
@DocSpock - yeah I was thinking the other day that the pressure on everyone involved with F4 must be astronomical. Not only would it completely mess up the trajectory of the whole MCU, but we'd never see the F4 on screen again.
DocSpock
DocSpock - 2/8/2023, 6:51 PM
@IronDean2099 -

Very true indeed.

Matchesz
Matchesz - 2/8/2023, 4:28 AM
Cant wait for The Diversity 4
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 2/8/2023, 4:58 AM
"...can solve everything"

This guy was a good choice. Mofo gidzit.
bobevanz
bobevanz - 2/8/2023, 5:20 AM
It's amazing how Jar Jar Abrams ruined Star Wars AND Star Trek.. truly amazing. Beyond was awesome, I forgot because HE WASN'T IN CHARGE
Slotherin
Slotherin - 2/8/2023, 7:13 PM
@bobevanz - Jar Jar?
Reginator
Reginator - 2/8/2023, 5:42 AM
JJ trek sucks
WeaponXCII
WeaponXCII - 2/8/2023, 6:12 AM
Going by the quote, Shakman definitely seems to get what the Fantastic Four are all about.

And if production is really starting early next year, then we’re for sure getting a cast reveal at SDCC 2023.
KWilly
KWilly - 2/8/2023, 6:35 AM
Is it just me, or has the production of this movie gone concerningly slow? Remember, this was in development back in 2019 ffs. I wonder if Jon Watts even started a single thing before he left.
TheManWithoutFear
TheManWithoutFear - 2/8/2023, 7:47 AM
Star Trek isn't exactly moving at a fast pace. He could probably finish FF and then do both haha
FilmGuy7878
FilmGuy7878 - 2/8/2023, 7:54 AM
Judging just off his comments on the team, he's got this in the bag. A 60s inspired Space Age adventure film with heavy themes of found family and exploration, that's what the Fantastic Four should be. This really did get my excitement up for the film a lot more, now I just need to know who they are gonna cast.
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