Marvel Studios’ plans for the First Family just hit a major speed bump. According to a report from Jeff “The In” Sneider, Matt Shakman is reportedly moving on from the MCU to helm a new, original Planet of the Apes film for 20th Century Studios.
While Shakman’s work on The Fantastic Four: First Steps was designed to launch a new flagship franchise, his jump to a different Disney-owned mega-brand suggests that a direct sequel to the 1960s-set space adventure may be further off than fans hoped—and likely under new leadership.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JULY 21: Eric Pearson attends The Fantastic Four: First Steps World Premiere at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, California on July 21, 2025. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images for Disney)
Shakman isn’t making the jump alone. He is bringing First Steps screenwriter Josh Friedman with him to develop what is being described as a “new original story” for the Apes franchise.
With First Steps pulling in a respectable but not record-breaking $521.8 million at the global box office, Disney is reportedly pivoting Shakman to revitalize the Apes brand while the Fantastic Four characters are integrated into the larger Avengers narrative.
(L-R): Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic and Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch in 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios’ THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios. © 2025 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2025 MARVEL.
The Fantastic Four cast (Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach) are already locked in for massive roles in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. This Avengers window gives Marvel breathing room to find a new director for a standalone sequel, which was reported by Variety to be in development for a potential 2028 release.
Shakman was the architect of the FF’s aesthetic. His departure signals that Marvel is moving away from the director-led era of solo trilogies–like James Gunn‘s Guardians and Jon Watts Spidey–and back to a more utilitarian model where characters move between directors as they flow in and out of the Avengers event films. For fans, this means the First Family will be plenty busy—but their next solo outing might look very different.