Jon Watts Finally Reveals Why He Left ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’
After delivering perhaps the most successful trilogy in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it appeared that Spider-Man director Jon Watts believed he was ready for a new challenge when he agreed to helm Marvel’s Fantastic Four movie.
Shortly after the release of Spider-Man: No Way Home, however, Watts dropped out of the production. While he was swiftly replaced by Matt Shakman, the director’s exit has been shrouded in mystery.

Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez Getty
Now, we finally know what happened.
Why Watt Left ‘Fantastic Four’
During an appearance at the Mediterrane Film Festival (via The Hollywood Reporter), Watts revealed that he simply “was out of gas” after shooting No Way Home during the COVID-19 pandemic and needed to recover.
“The emotional strain of having to go through all of those COVID protocols while also trying to make something creative while also trying to make sure that your cast and crew were all safe — literally, people could’ve died if you did things wrong — that and the postproduction process was very difficult,” he explained.

Photo: Marvel
“When you’re doing [visual effects work], there’s a whole international component to it where you’re using vendors from all over the world, and the supply chain had been interrupted because of COVID. It was really hard to get effects done in a traditional way.”
Marvel Was Understanding
Having committed to Fantastic Four between the second and third Spider-Man films, Watts realized he didn’t have it in him to jump into another major production.

Source: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
According to the director, everyone at Marvel was very understanding.
“I am out of gas. The COVID layer on top of making a giant movie layer, I knew I didn’t have what it would’ve taken to make that movie great. I was just out of steam, so I just needed to take some time to recover,” he explained.

Jon Watts. Photo: Chuck Zlotnick
“Everyone at Marvel totally understood. They had been through it with me as well, so they knew how hard and draining that experience has been; in the end, very satisfying, but at some point, if you can’t do it at the level that you feel like you need to for it to be great, then it’s better to not do it.”
Watts Is Excited to See the Film
Despite no longer having a hand in The Fantastic Four: First Step’s production, Watts is excited to see the film in theaters like everyone else.
“It’s going to be a totally surreal experience for me to go and watch that movie,” he said.

Photo: Marvel (Via JoBo)
The Fantastic Four: First Steps will hit theaters on July 25.