FANTASTIC FOUR Reboot Pursuing CHRONICLE Helmer Josh Trank

20th Century Fox is apparently grooming the freshman director of the upcoming superpowered, found footage film to take over the reigns of the planned Fantastic Four reboot.

Fox owns the film rights to several big Marvel Comics properties, including X-Men, Daredevil and Fantastic Four. With the exception of the first two X-Men films, fans of the comic characters weren't happy with how the studio has brought them to life on screen (Ben Affleck playing Daredevil, director Tim Story's ultra kid-friendly Fantastic Four films). That started to change in 2011 when X-Men: First Class, which was very well received by critics and fans alike, hit theaters and David Slade was announced as the Daredevil reboot director.

Now, another bit of news concerning another planned relaunch further hints at Fox taking these properties more seriously. According to Variety.com, the studio has found a director for the next Fantastic Four film:

"Josh Trank has had several meetings regarding the project, but with his debut feature still three weeks away, insiders say that Fox is expected to wait to see how "Chronicle" opens over Super Bowl weekend before extending an official offer. That said, Fox is high on "Chronicle" and would like to keep Trank in business with the studio, which has displayed confidence in the pic...Internally, studio execs expect Trank to land the coveted helming gig."

A Fantastic Four reboot has been in the works since the second film Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, which starred Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans and Michael Chiklis in the four lead roles, didn't impress at the box office. Many actors and actresses have been rumored to be in consideration for the new film, but until their director is signed and a production schedule is locked in the project itself is still up in the air.