Why Fantastic 4 Still Doesn't Have A Release Date

While Marvel Studios included Fantastic Four as part of a trailer for upcoming MCU movies, the Jon Watts-directed film was the only without a release date - why? For decades, the MCU didn't have the movie rights to Marvel's First Family as they were with 21st Century Fox alongside the X-Men. But after Walt Disney Studios acquired Fox, all the properties that Marvel Studios had to sell back in the 1980s became theirs again, giving the MCU a massive load of characters to use in the future. After the acquisition was completed, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige teased fans at San Diego Comic-Con 2019 that the Fantastic Four were on their way. In late 2020, Marvel Studios announced that Watts, helmer of the MCU's Spider-Man franchise, would be directing the Fantastic Four reboot, making it his second Marvel film series.

So far, nothing is known about the MCU's interpretation of the Fantastic Four. During Marvel's Phase 4 movies trailer, several films had titles revealed and release dates set. While Fantastic Four was included at the very end, it was just the same graphic that Marvel had used in December 2020, without revealing when fans will get to see it in theaters. While it is confusing to a point, it also makes sense for them not to show the reboot's release date. The Fantastic Four is one of Marvel's biggest properties and has been for decades. Disney and Marvel Studios are likely looking at making a big separate announcement for the Fantastic Four movie, given the meaning of Marvel's First Family. To include it as part of a trailer with other franchises would diminish the significant deal of the MCU finally being able to use the Fantastic Four.

But there are other reasons to factor in when it comes to MCU's Fantastic Four reboot. Watts' directing gig was only announced in December 2020, and the project is likely still in the early development stages. During the Disney Investors Day, they simply revealed that Watts would helm the movie, with no additional details announced. With no finished script or any cast members attached, it's likely that they are waiting with setting a release date for Fantastic Four. Since Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 are slated for February 17, and May 5, 2023, respectively, it's very possible that Fantastic Four will grab either the summer or fall release dates. Marvel has release dates staked out in both July and November 2023, either one of which could fit the First Family.

The Fantastic Four from their first movie with Chris Evans

While it hasn't been clarified whether Fantastic Four is part of the ongoing or next Phase, having the reboot close out Phase 4 would be a massive note to end on. Since Spider-Man: No Way Home is still in post-production, it might be that Watts is finishing work on his Spider-Man threequel before getting into full Fantastic Four-mode. The last update that came out about the reboot was in February 2021, with Watts reportedly meeting with screenwriters, meaning that there is no finished draft as they are probably working out story ideas and character portrayal. Announcing a release date when nothing is finalized other than Watts directing it would just backfire, in case they hit any snags along the way.

Why announce a date when nothing is finished? It will only be an annoyance for the studio, as well as the fans, if they have to backtrack and push the movie back because of possible issues. Right now, the focus is on all the other upcoming MCU movies that were affected by the global pandemic, such as Black Widow, Shang-Chi, Eternals, and many more. Hopefully, by the end of 2021, Marvel Studios will have finalized key aspects like the screenplay, the actors who will play the iconic family, as well as when Fantastic Four will be out in theaters.

NEXT: Why Marvel Is Making A Fantastic 4 Movie Before X-Men