Spider-Man 4 finally swings into action, as Marvel enters "early talks" with the director of one of the MCU's best recent movies

Spider-Man: No Way Home
(Image credit: Sony)

After months of silence, Spider-Man 4 might finally have a director to replace Jon Watts.

As per Deadline, Destin Daniel Cretton is reportedly in "early talks" to direct Spider-Man 4.

According to the outlet, Cretton – who has already worked extensively with Marvel on Shang-Chi and the upcoming Wonder Man series – is the "top choice" to helm the Sony/Marvel project.

While stars Tom Holland and Zendaya aren't yet locked in, new deals will "likely be underway soon."

Previously, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige updated fans on the status of Spider-Man 4 back in February. "All I will say is that we have the story," Feige told Entertainment Weekly. "We have big ideas for that, and our writers are just putting pen to paper now."

Since then, the script has seemingly moved along enough to a point where Cretton could be brought aboard. With Watts stepping aside (and now directing Wolfs, starring George Clooney and Brad Pitt), the Shang-Chi director's past history of hard-hitting action should stand him in good stead for taking on the wallcrawler's latest adventure.

What that means for Shang-Chi 2 and Cretton's live-action Naruto movie is unclear. Even Spider-Man 4 has a degree of uncertainty surrounding it. Andrew Garfield has already had to shoot down rumors that he will appear in the movie, while the Spider-Man: No Way Home ending – seemingly a soft reboot for Tom Holland's Spidey – may be quickly undone by the inclusion of Zendaya. 

No release date for Spider-Man 4 has yet been given. For more on the MCU, check out our guide to upcoming Marvel movies. Then dive into the past with a look at how to watch the Marvel movies in order.

Bradley Russell

I'm the Senior Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, focusing on news, features, and interviews with some of the biggest names in film and TV. On-site, you'll find me marveling at Marvel and providing analysis and room temperature takes on the newest films, Star Wars and, of course, anime. Outside of GR, I love getting lost in a good 100-hour JRPG, Warzone, and kicking back on the (virtual) field with Football Manager. My work has also been featured in OPM, FourFourTwo, and Game Revolution.

Read more
Simu Liu in Shang-Chi
Simi Liu says Shang-Chi 2 is still coming despite Destin Daniel Cretton directing Spider-Man 4: "I don’t think anything’s been impacted"
Furiosa
Spider-Man 4 may include a Marvel heroine although Sony cannot confirm it will be Anya Taylor-Joy as Black Cat, says boss: "There’s a lot of fantastic female characters, but I can't talk about all this"
Spider-Man: No Way Home
Andrew Garfield denies being signed up for Spider-Man 4, but also knows "no one’s gonna trust" him after No Way Home
Hugh Jackman as Wolverine and Deadpool walking in front of a damaged store during the Marvel movie Deadpool and Wolverine.
There's a moment in Deadpool and Wolverine involving Spider-Man that you might have misinterpreted
Spider-Man: No Way Home
This is why fans think Spider-Man will become the MCU's most important character after Avengers: Doomsday
across the spider-verse prowler
Beyond the Spider-Verse directors announced as they say they have crafted a "very satisfying ending" and "can't wait for fans to experience it": "We're bringing everything we've got"
Latest in Marvel Movies
Chris Evans as Steve Rogers in Avengers: Endgame
The Russo brothers have an idea about Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars runtimes, and one might reach Avengers: Endgame's record
Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm in The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Fantastic Four: First Steps concept art contains an unexpected MCU Easter Egg that could change the Marvel movie completely
Guardians of the Galaxy 3
Marvel star Vin Diesel might be teasing a Groot movie: "Disney wants their Planet X!"
Lewis Pullman as "Bob" in Thunderbolts
The first look at Thunderbolts' Sentry suit seemingly leaked in new Marvel merchandise
Hugh Jackman as Wolverine and Deadpool walking in front of a damaged store during the Marvel movie Deadpool and Wolverine.
There's a moment in Deadpool and Wolverine involving Spider-Man that you might have misinterpreted
Robert Downey Jr. during the Doctor Doom announcement at Marvel's SDCC 2024 panel
The Russo brothers tease the "incredible opportunity" of returning for Avengers 5 and 6: "We want to beat those younger versions of ourselves"
Latest in News
Persona 5 Royal screenshot
Sega outlines plan to "strengthen" Persona, Yakuza, and Sonic studios, says "Atlus is an important studio for us to expand Japanese IPs overseas"
Assassin's Creed Shadows cinematic screenshot
Assassin's Creed Shadows devs added a Canon Mode removing RPG choices after Odyssey fans "expressed their disappointment" over not having a "definitive" story
Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra
Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra is still on track for 2025, Black Panther actor claims: "We're thinking like a Christmas situation"
Bambi in The Reckoning
Bambi decapitates a man, chases victims through the woods, and ruins your childhood in new trailer for twisted horror from the creators of Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey
Bullet Train Explosion on Netflix
Upcoming Netflix movie is like the Speed sequel we never got, and it’s coming next month
Haikyu
How to watch Haikyuu in order (anime series and movies)