MCU Fantastic Four Movie is Getting Rewrite From Avatar: The Way of the Water Writer

The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s upcoming Fantastic Four movie has a new writer.

According to a report from THR, Avatar: The Way of Water story writer Josh Friedman will write the Fantastic Four’s first entry in the MCU. The writer’s other credits include the War of the Worlds movie adaptation and the television series Snowpiercer, and Friedman is also writing the upcoming Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes film. Friedman contributed to the story and worldbuilding of Avatar 2, and will also contribute to the three Avatar sequels.

Jeff Kaplan (no, not that one) and Ian Springer were previously on board to write the movie. The pair is also working together on Warner Bros.’ Disaster Wedding. The reason for their departure was not included in the report, although Friedman’s experience working on science fiction compared to Kaplan and Springer’s comedy experience may have played a part.

Matt Shakman is set to direct Fantastic Four. The filmmaker revealed he walked away from Star Trek 4 for the MCU opportunity, saying it was the right move to return to Marvel. While Shakman hasn’t yet directed an MCU film, he directed all nine episodes of Disney+’s WandaVision series.

Fantastic Four will kick off Phase 6 of the MCU when it hits theaters on November 8, 2024. The sixth phase marks the end of the MCU’s Multiverse Saga, culminating in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars. Little is known about the upcoming movie, except that it won’t be an origin story, and that John Krasinski said he hasn’t been asked back as Reed Richards.

Logan Plant is a freelance writer for IGN covering video game and entertainment news. He has over six years of experience in the gaming industry with bylines at IGN, Nintendo Wire, Switch Player Magazine, and Lifewire. Find him on Twitter @LoganJPlant.