The news that Spider-Man: Homecoming, Spider-Man: Far From Home, and Spider-Man: No Way Home director Jon Watts would take the helm of Marvel Studios' Fantastic Four reboot was met with open arms by fans. Unfortunately, the filmmaker has decided to move on from the project, with Deadline reporting that Watts is just looking to take a break from superheroes.
He's spent the better part of a decade helping to bring the web-slinger to life in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and Spider-Man: No Way Home was a particularly taxing experience. Shot in the midst of the pandemic, it was one of Marvel Studios' biggest movies yet and required a lot of work.
In a joint statement, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige and Co-President Louis D'Esposito said, "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."
In his own statement addressing this news, Watts added: "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."
It's no secret that Sony Pictures hopes to bring Watts back for Spider-Man 4, but it's unclear whether he would be interested. Fantastic Four was never given a release date by Marvel Studios, but with it rumoured to be heading our way in 2024, there's plenty of time to find a new director.
As for Watts, Apple Studios won an auction for a movie he intends to write and direct with George Clooney and Brad Pitt attached to star. He's also said to be in line to direct at least one episode of an upcoming Star Wars TV show previously described as "Stranger Things in space."
Are you disappointed that Watts won't be bringing the Fantastic Four to the MCU?
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