Director Jon Watts Departs 'Fantastic Four' Project for a Much-Needed Break
Jon Watts, the original director of Marvel's highly anticipated Fantastic Four: First Steps, stepped away from the project due to the demanding effects of working during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a candid admission, Watts revealed that he experienced intense "emotional strain" from navigating strict COVID protocols while trying to maintain creativity and ensure the safety of his cast and crew.
The filming of Watts' previous project, Spider-Man: No Way Home, was also difficult due to the pandemic. Shot during the early days of the pandemic, the movie's production was marked by numerous Covid protocols and a challenging post-production process due to disrupted international supply chains that made completing visual effects in the traditional manner very difficult.
After finishing Spider-Man: No Way Home, Watts felt he was "out of gas" and did not have the energy or creative capacity to make Fantastic Four great. He chose to step away to take time to recover, with Marvel fully understanding his decision.
Despite no longer being the director, Watts has expressed his intention to watch Fantastic Four: First Steps on its release date, July 25. His decision to watch the movie suggests that he has recovered from his exhaustion and is looking forward to seeing the final product. The surreal experience Watts described watching Fantastic Four: First Steps may be due to his previous involvement in the project, hinting at mixed feelings about not directing the movie.
Watts has commended Marvel for letting him walk away from the project and has not announced any specific new projects following his departure from Fantastic Four as of the latest reports. The release of Fantastic Four: First Steps on July 25 marks the culmination of the film's production process, which Jon Watts was initially involved in.
[1] https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/jon-watts-steps-down-directing-fantastic-four-1235103534/ [2] https://www.thewrap.com/jon-watts-fantastic-four-marvel-mcu-director-exclusive/ [3] https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2696741/jon-watts-steps-away-from-directing-marvels-fantastic-four [4] https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/jon-watts-fantastic-four-marvel-director-exit/
- In an interview with io9, Jon Watts, the former director of Fantastic Four: First Steps, revealed his intention to watch the movie on its release date, July 25, expressing his interest in seeing the final product even though he is no longer involved in the project.
- Gizmodo reported that after finishing Spider-Man: No Way Home, Watts felt he needed to take a break, citing emotional strain and lack of creative capacity as reasons for stepping away from directing Fantastic Four: First Steps.
- As discussed on movies-and-tv section of Entertainment Weekly, Watts' departure from Fantastic Four left him free to explore new technology-focused projects, but as of the latest reports, he has not announced any specific new ventures.
