Could the Fantastic Four eventually bring the Russos out of MCU retirement?

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

In the past, I've made it quite clear here on this site that Marvel's Fantastic Four are my favorite superhero team. I fell in love with the comic book publisher's first family at the start of 2012, and have been delighting in their dimension-hopping, time-distorting, reality-warping adventures ever since. It broke my heart when Marvel pulled Reed, Sue, Johnny, and Ben's antics from shelves after two stellar runs from creators Jonathan Hickman and Matt Fraction, and then came director Josh Trank's abysmal 2015 version of the team. In my humble opinion, Trank's film misrepresented the Fantastic Four property in a myriad of ways, labeling them as a risk for any further adventures on the big screen.

Needless to say, it's been a rough road for Marvel's Fab Four, but now in a recent interview with Business Insider, AVENGERS: ENDGAME directors Joe and Anthony Russo have teased that if they ever were to return to the MCU, the Fantastic Four could be interesting enough to pull them back in. While speaking with the outlet about a possible return to the MCU after their post-Endgame retirement, Anthony Russo stated: "We love Marvel, we have the most amazing working relationship with them, and we're very close with them," Anthony Russo told Business Insider. "Maybe there will be an idea that comes up in the future, but there is none now."

Ah, but don't let that last line get you down, because Joe Russo then added: "It's just about finding the right story that inspires us. That's why we get out of bed every day."

The right story, you say? Hmm, whatever could Joe be referring to? Could it be that Disney's recent aquisition of 21st Century Fox and their various comic book properties has the brotherly duo thinking about properties like Marvel's X-Men and the Fantastic Four? You bet your sweet Aunt Petunia it does!

"I love Ben Grimm from the Fantastic Four," Joe Russo said. "Doctor Doom was always one of my favorite villains."

Dear Joe and Anthony Russo,

What do I have to do to make this dream scenario a reality? Can I pitch you my idea about FANTASTIC FOUR being a cross between INDIANA JONES and LOST IN SPACE? Will you hear me out when I tell you that there is major franchise potential to include Reed and Sue's children, Valeria and Franklin, for a family-friendly FF spinoff? Can I please do the motion capture for Dragon Man? My contact info is located on our site's About Us page. Feel free to reach out and together we'll see the Fantastic Four realized on the big screen the way they were always meant to be.

Granted, it will be a while before Fox's Marvel comic book characters find their way into the MCU, but hey, it helps to keep the Russos on speed-dial, right? If anyone can restore Marvel's first family back to their former glory it's the duo that helmed one of the greatest cinematic events in history. Joe, Anthony, call me. I'm serious. Excelsior!