“Avatar: The Way of Water” Writer Reworks MCU’s Fantastic Four Movie Script: Josh Friedman, known for his work on “Avatar: The Way of Water,” steps in as the new writer for MCU’s Fantastic Four movie. Get all the details on this exciting development below.

Intro: A New Writer for the MCU’s Fantastic Four

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has enlisted a new writer for its highly anticipated Fantastic Four movie. According to a recent report from The Hollywood Reporter, Josh Friedman, known for his work on “Avatar: The Way of Water,” will be taking the reins as the writer for the Fantastic Four’s debut in the MCU.

Josh Friedman’s Impressive Portfolio

Friedman’s writing portfolio includes the movie adaptation of “War of the Worlds” and the TV series “Snowpiercer.” Additionally, he’s currently working on the script for the forthcoming film, “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.” As a contributing writer for the story and worldbuilding of “Avatar 2,” Friedman will continue to lend his expertise to the following three sequels of the franchise.

Kaplan and Springer’s Departure

Previously, Jeff Kaplan (no, not that one) and Ian Springer were attached to write the Fantastic Four movie script. The duo is also collaborating on Warner Bros.’ “Disaster Wedding.” Although the reason for their departure from the Fantastic Four project remains undisclosed, it might be due to Friedman’s extensive experience in the sci-fi genre, which contrasts with Kaplan and Springer’s background in comedy.

Matt Shakman Takes the Director’s Chair

The Fantastic Four movie has Matt Shakman attached as director. Shakman revealed that he opted out of directing “Star Trek 4” to seize the opportunity of working on the MCU project, believing it was the right decision to rejoin Marvel. Despite not having directed an MCU film before, Shakman was at the helm for all nine episodes of Disney+’s popular “WandaVision” series.

What to Expect from MCU’s Fantastic Four

“Fantastic Four” is set to launch Phase 6 of the MCU when it premieres on November 8, 2024. This sixth phase signifies the conclusion of the MCU’s Multiverse Saga, ultimately leading to “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty” and “Avengers: Secret Wars.” As of now, little information has been disclosed about the Fantastic Four film, except that it won’t be an origin story. Additionally, John Krasinski has confirmed that he has not been asked to reprise his role as Reed Richards.

A Retrospective of Fantastic Four Movies and Their Reception

Since the early 2000s, Marvel has released several Fantastic Four movies, each met with varying degrees of success and reception from fans and critics alike.

Fantastic Four (2005)

The first Fantastic Four film, directed by Tim Story, introduced audiences to the superhero team played by Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, and Michael Chiklis. The movie grossed $330 million worldwide but received mixed reviews, with critics often citing weak plotlines and underdeveloped characters.

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)

The sequel, also directed by Tim Story, saw the return of the original cast and introduced the Silver Surfer, played by Doug Jones. Though the film made $289 million at the box office, it faced similar criticisms as its predecessor, with critics highlighting a lack of depth and disappointing visual effects.

Fantastic Four (2015)

A reboot directed by Josh Trank brought a new cast, featuring Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael B. Jordan, and Jamie Bell. However, the film was panned by both critics and fans, earning only $168 million worldwide. It was widely criticized for its dark tone, weak story, and lack of chemistry between the main characters.

With the upcoming Fantastic Four movie in the MCU, fans are hopeful for a fresh take on the beloved superhero team that addresses the shortcomings of previous installments.

Conclusion: A Promising Future for Fantastic Four

With the addition of Josh Friedman as the writer and Matt Shakman as the director, the MCU’s Fantastic Four movie is shaping up to be an exciting project. Fans eagerly await further details about the film and how it will fit into the ever-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe.