Spider-Man director, Jon Watts, has exited from Marvel’s ‘Fantastic Four’. Recently, Watts served as the director of Spider-Man: No Way Home. This Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios film garnered a great response. Hence, it collected a whopping amount of $1.89 billion and become the sixth highest grosser film of all time.
There’s nothing sinister about it. Watts just needs a break from the superhero realm after filming the Spidey trilogy with Tom Holland and Zendaya.
He had intended to make Fantastic Four his next project, the third film in the franchise since Disney bought Fox, which owned the brand.
Watts has spent the last decade directing and promoting the Spider-Man flicks since being hired off Cop Car, a small-budget indie thriller that premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival. He’s needed some time off for a while now.
Watts and Marvel confirmed his departure, with both stating that it is amicable.
“We are so grateful to be working with Jon on the Spider-Man films,” says Kevin Feige, Marvel Studios’ president. “Collaborating with him on the Fantastic Four was a real pleasure for us, and we were eager to continue our collaboration to bring the Fantastic Four into the MCU. We understand and accept his reasons for exiting the franchise.
Sony and its Spider-Man producers have stated that Watts will return to the franchise, presumably with Holland and Zendaya, based on his statements.
But Watts has not officially withdrawn from the brand; if it does, it would be down the road. Watts has another strong project in the works that may become his next directing gig.
Last September, Apple Studios won a fast auction for an untitled film written and directed by Watts, with George Clooney and Brad Pitt cast as rivals “fixers” who are both hired for the same job.
As a result of the agreement, Apple agreed to provide a broad theatrical release for the film before it becomes available on Apple TV+. The film is being produced by Smokehouse Pictures and Plan B Entertainment, which are both owned by George Clooney.