Fantastic Four Sets Itself Apart From Other MCU Movies By Exploring “The Messiness Of A Family,” Explains Director

Director Matt Shakman reveals what he loves about The Fantastic Four and is excited to bring to Marvel’s Fantastic Four movie, which will set it apart from other MCU installments. The Fantastic Four is expected to hit theaters on May 2, 2025, kicking off the sixth phase of the MCU. Although details about the plot are being kept close to the vest, as is casting news, it has been revealed that this won’t be another origin story.

In an exclusive interview with Screen Rant for Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, Shakman also discussed his highly anticipated Fantastic Four movie. He shares what he loves about The Fantastic Four, including their optimism and scientific mindset. Shakman also explains how the family element of this team will set them apart from other MCU heroes like the Avengers and even the X-Men. Check out Shakman’s full quote below:

Matt Shakman: I love The Fantastic Four just like I love Godzilla. It’s funny, we have these characters that you discover when you’re a kid, and they just stick with you. Godzilla was one of them, and The Fantastic Four is another. I think I love the space race, Kennedy-era optimism of that world. The idea that we can solve all of our problems, that we can, through the right heart, the right mind, and the right technology, conquer any problem. It’s different. It’s different in so many ways because they are a true family.

Not a family you find along the way like the X-Men or the Avengers, but true family with all the messiness of a family like on Monarch. With all the love, the hurt, and the complexity of that. And also, they approach things with a sort of an optimistic and scientific approach that is very different from these other Marvel characters that I absolutely love, but how they solve problems is unique and I’m excited about it as well. I hope folks like it when we put it out.

Marvel’s Fantastic Four Will Lean Into The Family Element Of The Team

Chosen family has been at the heart of the MCU, with the Guardians of the Galaxy and the Avengers being prime examples. While this dynamic is fun, The Fantastic Four can bring new energy to the franchise with how this team interacts. The history between these characters goes back much further than that of the other teams, who were forced to come together to fight against incredibly powerful enemies.

The balance between the team dynamic and the messiness of their family can be the catalyst for intriguing drama, especially as they are brought into this larger world. With this movie not being an origin story, it sets up a number of possibilities. The Fantastic Four will likely already have their powers and be a superhero team, which raises the question: Where have they been all this time?

Shakman’s interest in “Kennedy-era optimism” may also point to time travel coming into play. However, this could also be a desire to bring a new mentality to heroes within the MCU. Shakman’s admiration for the optimism and science that are at the heart of The Fantastic Four can bring a fresh perspective to the MCU, which often leans into the trauma experienced by the heroes and the more action-packed fights. Shakman clearly loves these characters and has a clear vision of how he wants to portray them, which sets Marvel’s Fantastic Four up to be a great addition to the MCU and the perfect way to begin Phase Six.