Spider-Man Director Exits Fantastic Four Over COVID Concerns

Jon Watts, who directed Tom Holland's Spider-Man trilogy, was also initially attached to helm The Fantastic Four: First Steps — a prospect many fans welcomed given his exceptional work with the beloved web-slinger. Yet, as it turns out, Watts himself ultimately stepped away. The filmmaker recently discussed his decision to leave the project for the first time, explaining that after completing the Spider-Man films — both shooting and post-production during the pandemic — he felt too drained to take on another major commitment.

“Managing the emotional toll of adhering to strict COVID safety measures while trying to foster a creative environment and ensure the well-being of every cast and crew member — where a single misstep could have serious consequences — plus the demanding post-production schedule was incredibly challenging,” Watts shared during a storytelling masterclass at the Mediterrane Film Festival in Malta on June 26.

“When it comes to visual effects,” he went on, “there's a global network of vendors involved, and the pandemic severely disrupted that supply chain. Completing effects through traditional methods became a real struggle.”

Watts, who served as a producer and earned a story credit for the recent blockbuster Final Destination: Bloodlines, had originally committed to First Steps between Spider-Man: Far From Home and Spider-Man: No Way Home. But as pre-production approached, he realized he had run out of creative energy.

“Adding the COVID complications on top of an already massive filmmaking endeavor, I knew I wasn’t in the right place to deliver the movie it deserved,” he reflected during the talk. “I felt completely burned out and needed time to recuperate. The team at Marvel was completely understanding — they had been through the process with me and recognized how exhausting the experience had been. While the final results were deeply rewarding, if you can’t give a project the level of attention it requires, it’s better to step aside.”

Watts added that he’s eager to see what director Matt Shakman, along with the cast and crew, have achieved with their take on the story. Still, he admitted, “It’s going to feel completely surreal to sit in a theater and watch that film.”

The Fantastic Four: First Steps, starring Pedro Pascal, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ralph Ineson, is scheduled for release on July 25.