Josh Friedman Hired By Marvel To Write ‘Fantastic Four’ Script
Marvel’s first family is about to get a new screenwriter as it’s revealed Josh Friedman will take on the script for the upcoming ‘Fantastic Four’ movie.
Details on the film are still heavily under wraps because… Marvel… But it will, of course, bring the iconic quartet back to the big screen and into the MCU. Created by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee in 1961, the group includes scientist Reed Richards, aka Mister Fantastic, who has the ability to morph his body; Reed’s girlfriend (or wife, depending on how up to date in the comics they begin) Sue Storm-Richards, aka the Invisible Woman, who can turn invisible and make forcefields; Sue’s younger brother Johnny Storm, aka the Human Torch, who transforms into a firey plasma-like state and can fly; and their friend Ben Grimm aka The Thing, who has rock-like skin, along with superhuman strength, stamina and durability.
Josh Friedman takes over the writing gig from Jeff Kaplan and Ian Springer, and is seemingly a much better and stronger fit for the job. Kaplan and Springer’s work includes such things as ‘Bert and Arnie’s Guide to Friendship’, the upcoming Rebel Wilson movie ‘K-Pop: Lost in America’, and a film called ‘Disaster Wedding’... I mean… those might be great and funny projects, but not exactly the CV you’re looking for on a ‘Fantastic Four’ movie.
Whereas Friedman is just coming off the back of writing the story for ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’, and two brilliant sci-fi tv shows, both of which are based on beloved literary work. He developed ‘Snowpiercer’, based on the graphic novel Le Transperceneige by Jacques Lob for TNT & Netflix, and ‘Foundation’ for Apple, based on Isaac Asimov’s hellishly complex novel series. His other previous work includes the 2005 Steven Spielberg film ‘War of the Worlds’, and the ‘Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles’ TV series. That, I would say, if far closer to the pedigree you’re looking for in a screenwriter for a ‘Fantastic Four’ movie.
There is still no casting announced for the film, but ‘WandaVision‘s Matt Shakman is on board to direct, with MCU overlord Kevin Feige set to produce. ‘Fantastic Four’ is (currently) set to land on the 14th of February 2025, and kick off “Phase 6” of the MCU.
