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.