The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Based on the Fantastic Four superhero team from Marvel Comics, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is an upcoming American superhero movie. It is slated to be the second reboot of the Fantastic Four film series and the 37th movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). It is produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. Josh Friedman and Eric Pearson wrote the screenplay, which Matt Shakman is directing. In addition to John Malkovich, Julia Garner, Paul Walter Hauser, Ralph Ineson, and the titular team of Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn, it has an ensemble cast. In the movie, the Fantastic Four have to defend their retro-futuristic, 1960s-inspired universe from the planet-eating cosmic creature Galactus (Ineson).
🎬 Overview & Cast
- Directed by Matt Shakman (known for WandaVision), with a screenplay by Josh Friedman and Eric Pearson .
- Stars Pedro Pascal (Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic), Vanessa Kirby (Sue Storm/Invisible Woman), Joseph Quinn (Johnny Storm/Human Torch), and Ebon Moss‑Bachrach (Ben Grimm/The Thing), joined by Julia Garner as Silver Surfer and Ralph Ineson voicing Galactus .
📅 Release & Setting
- Premieres July 25, 2025 in theaters globally as the opener for Phase Six of the MCU .
- Set in a striking retro-futuristic 1960s alternate universe, skipping the origin story and launching with an already-established superhero family on the go .
🌌 Plot & Tone
- The Fantastic Four must defend Earth from the cosmic threat Galactus, whose Herald—the Silver Surfer—serves an ominous warning. Expect world-devouring stakes and emotional depth .
- A darker, more tragic tone is teased in trailers, suggesting massive consequences and potential sacrifice reminiscent of Infinity War .
🌟 Themes & Dynamics
- Central to the story: family unity—both superhero team and a literal family. Reed and Sue are already married and expecting their first child, introducing strong emotional stakes .
- Emphasis on teamwork over individual drama, coupled with nostalgic 1960s visual design and Marvel’s cosmic scale .
✅ Highlights & Buzz
- Trailer records: over 202 million views in 24 hours, the highest ever for a Marvel non‑sequel and trending #1 on YouTube .
- Promotional tie‑ins include a massive Galactus-themed popcorn bucket—touted as the universe’s largest .
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Movies