Though casting for a summer blockbuster film usually takes place once a director has signed onto the project, it is not a rarity. Fox's new Fantastic Four movie franchise seems be to falling into this category, with actors already being linked to the five main roles. But how far away is the studio from signing a director? According to my sources at Fox, it shouldn't be long before one of their prospective candidates is given an offer. I've learned that Joe Carnahan, David Yates and James McTeigue are among those on the short list to helm the film. Carnahan's two most popular films, The A-Team and Smokin' Aces, were both received well by audiences and critics; though not as financially successful as most would have expected. Yates is the man behind four of the immensely popular Harry Potter films (Order of the Phoenix, Half Blood Prince, Deathly Hallows Part 1 & Part 2), and is obviously no stranger to tentpole franchises. McTeige's record fits more along the lines of Carnahan's (though visually they are quite different), with both V for Vendetta and Ninja Assassin receiving mostly positive attention.
The current screenplay for the Fantastic Four reboot tells a more dramatic tale of Marvel's first superhero family, and will introduce audiences to a bevvy of characters not yet seen on film. Two characters from the previous franchise that will, at this point, make appearances (besides the central four heroes) are Doctor Doom and the Silver Surfer; though I am unsure as to the extent of their roles. If all goes according to plan, The next Fantastic Four film will begin filming next spring in 3D, as apposed the the now-standard post conversion process. Fox is tentatively looking at a summer, 2012, release for the film.