Jon Watts has decided to step down as director of the new Fantastic Four adaptation.
The American director needs a break from the world of superheroes after finishing the latest Spider-Man trilogy, including No Way Home, which grossed $1.89 billion and became the sixth highest-grossing film of all time. Jon Watts will now focus on directing, writing and producing the Apple project with George Clooney and Brad Pitt. Two Hollywood stars will play rival “fixers”who are simultaneously hired for the same job.
Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios, and Louis D’Esposito, co-president of Marvel Studios, said, “It was a real pleasure to collaborate with Jon Watts on the Spider-Man films. We aimed to continue our work with him to bring the Fantastic Four into the MCU, but we understand and support the reasons behind his departure. We are optimistic that someday we will have the opportunity to work together again.” Jon Watts added: “Working on the three Spider-Man films has been an incredible life-changing experience for me. I am eternally grateful to have been a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe for seven years. I hope we can work together again and I can’t wait to see the incredible vision of the Fantastic Four come to fruition. ”
Will Jon Watts return for Spider-Man 4?
Sony Pictures Entertainment and the producers of Spider-Man have made it clear that they plan to reunite Jon Watts with Tom Holland and Zendaya Coleman for a sequel to the series. Jon Watts has not officially retired, but if he does, it looks like it will be in the near future. However, his departure from the Fantastic Four project shuffled the cards.