The Hollywood Reporter has learned Shakman is in early talks to helm Marvel Studios’ Fantastic Four film. As previously mentioned, Shakman helped Marvel Studios launch the television corner of the MCU by directing all episodes of WandaVision, the first MCU series to premiere on Disney Plus.

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According to THR, Shakman is just one of the filmmakers who met with Marvel Studios about potentially helming the Fantastic Four film. Other candidates included Love and Monsters director Michael Matthew and Reid Carolin, who recently co-directed Dog with Channing Tatum. The search for a new director to spearhead Fantastic Four started after Jon Watts, who helmed Marvel Studios and Sony’s Spider-Man trilogy starring Tom Holland, exited the project. Watts’ departure from Fantastic Four was said to be amicable, as the filmmaker reportedly wanted to step away from superhero films after working on the Spider-Man trilogy for nearly five years.

Shakman’s directing credits before working on WandaVision include episodes of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Game of Thrones. He had been tapped to direct the new Star Trek film for Paramount as recently as last summer, but it now remains unclear if he’s still attached to the project. Should Shakman officially sign on to helm Fantastic Four, it won’t be the only major franchise on his slate. He is currently set to direct the first two episodes of Apple TV Plus’ Godzilla series in the MonsterVerse franchise, in addition to serving as an executive producer.

At this point, it is currently unclear what Marvel Studios has planned for the Fantastic Four. Aside from the release date and confirmation that Fantastic Four won’t retell the origin of the titular team, the only other bit of information fans know is that the film will launch Phase 6 of the MCU, which also includes Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret War.

Shakman clearly has the credentials to helm a blockbuster, so fans will likely be relieved to know the Fantastic Four film would be in more than capable hands with him at the helm. Plus, the WandaVision finale included a scene where Wanda, Vision, and their two children united to take on S.W.O.R.D. agents, so Shakman already has some experience with a family of four superheroes.

Fantastic Four is scheduled to be released in theaters on November 8, 2024.

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Source: The Hollywood Reporter