It doesn't look like we're going to get that Fantastic Four cast announcement this side of 2024 (though who knows what Marvel Studios has planned over the next few days), but we may not have to wait too long after the New Year rolls around if this latest production update is accurate.
The lack of any official announcements and the recent chaos caused by the Hollywood strikes have led to speculation that Fantastic Four may not make its scheduled May 2nd, 2025 release date, and while a delay is certainly possible, Daniel Richtman is reporting that cameras are set to begin rolling in May.
This would give director Matt Shakman and his team plenty of time to get the movie ready for its 2025 theatrical debut, and most likely squeeze in any necessary reshoots.
So far, the only "confirmed" cast member is Pedro Pascal (The Last of Us, WW84) as Reed Richards, but he will likely be joined by Vanessa Kirby (Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning) as Sue Storm, aka the Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn (Stranger Things) as Johnny Storm, aka the Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Punisher, The Bear) as Ben Grimm, aka the Thing.
There are rumors that both Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer) and Mads Mikkelsen (Rogue One) are top picks to play Doctor Doom, but other actors are sure to be in contention.
The team's most prolific foe is not expected to have a significant role in the reboot (in fact, he may only show up in the post-credits scene), but the villain could well emerge as the new big bad of the Marvel Cinematic Universe - especially after the recent news that Marvel has decided to part ways with Kang actor Jonathan Majors.
Several well-placed sources have claimed that Doom will be one of the main villains of Avengers: Secret Wars.
Javier Bardem is said to be the top choice for Galactus, but his schedule may prevent him from signing on. The Eater of Worlds' herald is believed to be Silver Surfer, but a female take on the character. A recent rumor claimed that Anya Taylor-Joy is being eyed for that role.
Shakman will direct FF from a script by Jeff Kaplan and Ian Springer. Plot details are still a mystery, but Kevin Feige has confirmed that this will not be another origin story for the super-team.
“A lot of people know this origin story. A lot of people know the basics. How do we take that and bring something that they’ve never seen before?” he said in a 2022 interview, comparing this new take on the heroes to Marvel Studios' pact with Sony to bring Spider-Man into the MCU. “We’ve set a very high bar for ourselves with bringing that to the screen.”