Heroes are almost always born out of tragedy. Peter Parker receives incredible abilities after being bitten by a radioactive spider, but it takes him losing Uncle Ben to understand that he has a responsibility to help people. Still, some iterations of Spider-Man see Peter give in to his dark side initially and try to get revenge on his uncle’s killer. The Marvel Cinematic Universe‘s Wanda Maximoff goes down a similar path after losing her parents in Sokovia at a young age. She and her brother, Pietro Maximoff, allow HYDRA to experiment on them, and the Mind Stone unlocks something in both of them.

By the time Earth’s Mightiest Heroes run into Wanda in Avengers: Age of Ultron, she’s all about knocking Tony Stark down a peg because his weapons killed her parents. Ultron gives her that opportunity, but his true plan isn’t something she can get behind. Wanda decides to help the Avengers, and together, they take down Ultron. Unfortunately, Wanda’s life after the Battle of Sokovia doesn’t get any easier.

Scarlet Witch Never Catches a Break in the MCU

After her brother’s death, Wanda turns over a new leaf and grows close to Vision. The Sokovia Accords tear them apart briefly because they end up on different sides of the argument, but after Captain America breaks Wanda out of the Raft, they get back on track. Wanda and Vision stick together throughout the events of Avengers: Infinity War, ending up in Wakanda when the Black Order comes looking for the Mind Stone. While the Avengers keep it out of their hands, Thanos comes knocking and, with five Infinity Stones in his back pocket, makes quick work of them. Wanda can only watch as Thanos rips the Mind Stone out of Vision’s head, and before she can even properly grieve, she’s turned to dust.

Wanda returns during the Battle of Earth in Avengers: Endgame and sets her sights on the Mad Titan. He escapes her wrath, but he doesn’t last much longer, being dusted along with the rest of his army. Wanda can’t handle all the pain, though, so she takes over Westview, New Jersey, creating a sitcom-like environment that all the residents can’t escape. Her mistakes catch up to her, and after embracing her identity as the Scarlet Witch, she says goodbye to the children she conjured. However, Wanda doesn’t think it’s fair that she keeps losing everyone she loves, which leads her to use the Darkhold’s power to search for her children across the multiverse in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

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The titular hero goes to great lengths to stop Wanda from sacrificing America Chavez, even dreamwalking into the body of a dead Stephen Strange. Fortunately, Wanda ultimately realizes the error of her ways and gives her life to destroy all the versions of the Darkhold. It’s a sad ending for a hero who has to go through so much, but at least she gets to say goodbye on her own terms.

Now, a decade later, the MCU is introducing a character who has it even worse than Scarlet Witch.

The Thing’s Life Could Be Full of Heartbreak After Fantastic Four: First Steps

Ben Grimm has it harder than all of his Fantastic Four teammates because his powers don’t require effort to manifest themselves. His body is always made up of rocks, which makes day-to-day tasks difficult. While the marketing for The Fantastic Four: First Steps shows that the Thing is in good spirits due to being beloved by children and adults alike, it’s only a matter of time before his appearance becomes an issue. However, that’s only the tip of the iceberg because Ben may have another curse that hurts his soul even more.

The final trailer for First Steps features a shot of the Thing with a beard, which is a relatively recent addition to the source material. Jonathan Hickman and Ron Garney’s Fantastic Four run sees the Future Foundation create a serum that allows Ben to turn human one day per year. The only downside is that he only ages in his human form, meaning he’s essentially immortal. Reed Richards visits the future in the comic and runs into Ben, who’s sporting a lengthy rock beard and a bad attitude. The Thing’s friends have been dead for centuries, and he just has to go on without them. The origin of Ben’s beard in First Steps is still a mystery, but if it has anything to do with time travel, it’s going to give the hero a taste of his lonely future.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps hits theaters on July 25, 2025.

Do you think the Thing could be a more tragic character than Scarlet Witch in the MCU? Where do you think his rock beard comes from? Let us know in the comments below!

The post A New MCU Hero Just Usurped Scarlet Witch as the Franchise’s Most Tragic Character appeared first on ComicBook.com.

It’s hard to open a streaming service or visit a movie theater without running into Pedro Pascal’s work. In the last couple of years, he’s played Joel Miller in The Last of Us, Din Djarin in The Mandalorian, and General Acacius in Gladiator II. There are also smaller projects on his resume, including Materialists, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, and Drive-Away Dolls, that fail to dominate the box office but allow Pascal to show off his incredible range. However, the actor owes at least some of his success to a popular genre he rarely gets associated with: superhero movies.

Of course, it’s no secret that Pascal is joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. He will then reprise his role in Avengers: Doomsday, where his character, Reed Richards, will come face-to-face with his archenemy, Doctor Doom. Before he becomes one of the faces of the MCU, though, it’s important to look back at Pascal’s earlier work in superhero media, including one performance that never saw the light of day.

Pedro Pascal Was Nearly in Two Wonder Woman Projects

Pascal didn’t become a movie star overnight. He got his start by taking small roles in major TV shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, three different Law & Order series, and The Good Wife. All the hard work seemed to pay off in 2011, though, when Pascal landed a role in a pilot for a Wonder Woman show NBC was developing. Adrianne Palicki was going to play the lead role, while Pascal would portray Ed Indelicato, a liaison at the police department who had his ear to the ground in Los Angeles. It was far from a lead role, but Pascal probably appreciated the opportunity. However, NBC chose not to move forward with the project, which sent one of its stars back to the TV meat grinder.

Despite losing out on playing Indelicato, Pascal persevered and broke out on HBO’s Game of Thrones. His portrayal of Oberyn Martell helped him stand out in a tough crowd, and after the Mountain was done with the character, he moved on to bigger and better things. He even got another call from DC during the development of Wonder Woman 1984. Patty Jenkins and Co. wanted him to play eccentric businessman Maxwell Lord, who sought to control the Dreamstone and change the world. The 2020 sequel failed to live up to expectations, but Pascal really went for it and delivered a memorable performance. Still, DC failed to give Pascal a lead role in his second go-around, which was a mistake Marvel wasn’t about to make.

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The MCU Will Never Be the Same After Pedro Pascal Arrives

Pascal’s third superhero role puts him right in the middle of the action. Reed Richards is one of the smartest characters in Marvel Comics, and his big brain appears to be making the jump to live-action in First Steps. The titular team will come up against Silver Surfer and her master Galactus, who wants nothing more than to make the Earth his next meal. Reed blames himself for the Devourer of Worlds’ appearance, and unfortunately, things may not get better for him and his family because they’re fleeing their universe at the end of Thunderbolts*. The Fantastic Four do the right thing by seeking out Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, and everyone will try to get on the same page in Doomsday.

The cast of the next Avengers movie is no joke, though, which may be intimidating for Pascal, especially since Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen are joining the fray. However, it’s hard to look at the full cast list and think there’s another name that has a better chance of going toe-to-toe with Doctor Doom actor Robert Downey Jr. After all, Pascal has come a long way since being part of a failed superhero pilot that would’ve forced him into the hero’s shadow for as long as it was on the air.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps hits theaters on July 25, 2025.

Did you know that Pedro Pascal was part of a Wonder Woman TV show? Are you glad that he’s going to be a major part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Let us know in the comments below!

The post Pedro Pascal Landed Two DC Roles Before He Ended Up With Marvel appeared first on ComicBook.com.

John Malkovich was cast in a mystery role in The Fantastic Four: First Steps and appeared in the film’s first teaser trailer, but some people believe the actor might have been cut from the movie. Recently, the Walt Disney Company’s official Website posted an article commemorating the release of the final First Steps trailer. In addition to the video, it includes general information about the film, such as the cast. Interestingly, Malkovich is not listed among the ensemble. Obviously, stars Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach are mentioned, as are the actors bringing First Steps‘ villains to life: Ralph Ineson and Julia Garner.

“The action adventure also stars Paul Walter Hauser, Natasha Lyonne, and Sarah Niles,” Disney’s article reads. That marks the end of the cast list, as the article then shifts to detailing people who worked behind the scenes, such as director Matt Shakman and producer Kevin Feige.

Malkovich joined the Fantastic Four: First Steps cast back in May 2024. Since details about his character were never revealed, Marvel fans speculated who the Oscar nominee could be playing. Possibilities mentioned included Dr. Franklin Storm, Nathaniel Richards, and Red Ghost. A brief glimpse of Malkovich in the First Steps teaser trailer released this February did not provide any clear context.

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In the build up to the film’s release this July, Malkovich has stayed relatively quiet about his mysterious Fantastic Four role. The most notable comments he’s made is revealing that he previously turned down Marvel movies over insufficient pay. Part of his reasoning for joining First Steps stemmed from his desire to work with Shakman again. The two had collaborated on the film Cut Bank.

It’s odd that Malkovich is not listed as part of the First Steps cast on Disney’s official Website. Even if his role isn’t significant, he’s a recognizable name that the studio would want to promote. It’s certainly possible that Malkovich’s role was cut. Tentpoles like First Steps are constantly evolving, and perhaps sequences that were once thought necessary are no longer needed. Since the Fantastic Four filmmakers haven’t said much about Malkovich’s role, it’s difficult to speculate, but it stands reason to believe that if the actor was in the movie, Disney would list him with the rest of the cast.

It might be telling that since fans got that initial look at Malkovich in the First Steps teaser trailer, he hasn’t been seen in the marketing campaign since. Disney has released a plethora of promotional materials for the movie over the last handful of months, so there have been plenty of opportunities to shed further light on Malkovich’s role. Instead, the focus has been on introducing the Fantastic Four team, highlighting the threat of Galactus, and getting viewers acclimated to the film’s 1960s-inspired retro-futuristic setting. When Malkovich appeared in the teaser trailer, it felt like Marvel was laying a foundation and would explore his character more in subsequent trailers and TV spots. Instead, it’s all been quiet on that front, and people would be forgiven if they forgot Malkovich was seemingly part of First Steps. It’ll be interesting to see what happens when the movie premieres next month.

The post Fantastic Four: First Steps Character May Be Cut Even After Appearing in Trailer appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Jon Watts, who helmed the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Spider-Man trilogy, reveals the real reason why he stepped down as director of The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Speaking at a storytelling masterclass at the Mediterrane Film Festival (via The Hollywood Reporter), Watts detailed that he was left emotionally drained after the experience of making Spider-Man: No Way Home, which not only was a massive studio blockbuster but also went through production during the pandemic. Dealing with the various COVID-19 protocols on top of the other responsibilities made Watts realize he needed to take a break from tentpole filmmaking. Though he had already committed to Fantastic Four, he amicably left the director’s chair.

“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 post-production process was very difficult,” Watts said. “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.”

He continued, “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. 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.”

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Watts signed on to helm the MCU’s Fantastic Four reboot back in 2020 (a full year before No Way Home came out and broke box office records) and stepped down in April 2022. At the time of Watts’ departure, it was said that both the filmmaker and Marvel Studios would be interested in working together on another project down the line. Since wrapping up his Spider-Man trilogy, Watts helmed the George Clooney/Brad Pitt thriller Wolfs and co-created the TV series Star Wars: Skeleton Crew.

WandaVision director Matt Shakman replaced Watts on Fantastic Four, and that film is gearing up for its theatrical release next month. First Steps is the first MCU movie of Phase 6, setting up Marvel’s First Family ahead of their expanded role in the franchise moving forward. Not only are Fantastic Four stars Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach returning for Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, a Fantastic Four sequel is reportedly in development.

Watts delivered three strong films with his Spider-Man trilogy, and it would have been fun to see him try to breathe new life into another classic Marvel property. At the same time, it’s for the best Watts realized he needed to take a break. It isn’t easy making a studio blockbuster under normal conditions, let alone in the middle of a global pandemic. Though Spider-Man: No Way Home earned widespread acclaim, that had to have been a rough experience for the director. If he tried to shift gears to Fantastic Four without taking the time to recharge his batteries, it could have had a negative impact on the movie. First Steps is one of Marvel’s most important projects in the latter stages of the Multiverse Saga. It needs to be well-received to help end this era of the MCU on a high note. A fatigued director might not have been able to give the film the full attention it needed.

Fortunately, Shakman’s vision for First Steps seems to have turned out well. From the beginnings of the film’s marketing campaign, audiences have shown interest in the film, responding positively to the cast of characters and 1960s-inspired retro-futuristic aesthetic. The Fantastic Four: First Steps will hopefully do the titular team justice for the first time on the big screen. And in the meantime, it’s nice to know Watts and Marvel remain on good terms. Watts has proven to be an ideal fit in the MCU sandbox, and while he won’t be calling the shots on Spider-Man: Brand New Day, there’s no shortage of Marvel movies he could helm in the future.

The post Spider-Man Director Finally Reveals the Real Reason He Exited Fantastic Four appeared first on ComicBook.com.

We’re just one month away from the release of Fantastic Four: First Steps, and Marvel Studios is pulling out all the stops by dropping the brand new final trailer. It showed us so many awesome details, from the arrival of the Silver Surfer, to a demonstration of all of the Four’s powers, to our first look at more than Galactus’s boot, but the thing that stuck out to me the most was that Ben Grimm, the ever-loving Thing, had a beard. Just like the rest of him, this beard was orange rocks and all, which begs the question: How can The Thing even grow a beard in the first place?

That’s what I’m here to explain.

Thing Has Had a Beard Before (in the Comics)

Ever since his introduction as the loveable bundle of rocks, people have been slapping fake beards on Thing. One classic example is his constant cosplays and disguises as Blackbeard the Pirate, fit with the fitting black beard, which started in Fantastic Four volume one #5. There was also Johnny Storm’s April Fool’s Day prank from Marvel Fanfare volume one #15, which saw the Human Torch glue orange straws to Ben’s face to convince him he had stubble. However, none of these were real or grown by Thing, until the legendary Jonathan Hickman introduced the mainline Marvel Universe Thing having grown a beard in Fantastic Four #605. Just like in the trailer, Thing’s beard was made entirely of rocks.

But how can someone made of rocks grow a beard at all? Well, it’s a common misconception that Thing is made out of rocks, when in actuality the rocks are a protective shell that grow out of his skin. He’s still a squishy human underneath all the rubble, and if he’s hit hard enough the rocks can be broken to reveal the very real flesh hidden beneath them. Obviously it’s very hard to do that kind of damage to Thing, but it’s possible. The rocks are practically another layer of skin, and it makes sense that Thing’s hair would be covered in the same rocks that cover the rest of him, so that’s not a problem, but if he can grow a beard, why can’t Thing grow hair? We’ve seen him revert to human several times over the years, and each time he has a full head of hair. Well, the answer to all of this might come with time.

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See, Fantastic Four #605 takes place thousands of years into the future, and shows Ben Grimm near the end of his extraordinarily long life. As he aged, it might be possible that some of his rocky skin begins to crack a bit, which opens up space for beard hair to grow through and harden into rocks like the rest of him. The same wouldn’t happen on the top of his head, because by that point he would have just naturally gone bald. At least, that’s the theory that makes the most sense to me. It’s equally possible that he simply redeveloped the ability to grow a beard as his body adjusted to his powers. The looming question here is: what occurs in Fantastic Four: First Steps to create time and space for Thing to get that disheveled? What do you think?

I’m fine with Thing having a beard, but the question that keeps me up at night is how does he shave it? He should compare super-shaving techniques with Superman, I’m sure that’d be a great conversation.

Fantastic Four: First Steps premiers in theaters July 25th!

The post Fantastic Four: First Steps – How Can Thing Grow A Beard? appeared first on ComicBook.com.

In preparation for The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which hits theaters on July 25, Hot Topic and Her Universe have dropped some fantastic new fashions with a cosplay flair. For example, the Sue Storm Uniform Girls Sweater and is exactly that – a reproduction of the costume in the film. The Fantastic Four Uniform Jacket has a similar costume-style design especially when paired with the matching pants.

Meanwhile, The Our Universe Marvel The Fantastic Four: First Steps Logo Collared Cardigan and Button-up Bowling Shirt that are giving off major ’60s vibes. If you’re looking for something a little more sublte, then check out the Web Exclusive Silver Surfer Chrome Shine Garment Dye T-Shirt, a shirt that shows off your fandom without drawing too much attention. To order a piece for yourself, head to Hot Topic here to see the entire collection. Read below for a full list of new items and prices. 

• Her Universe Marvel The Fantastic Four: First Steps Sue Storm Uniform Girls Sweater – $59.90
• Our Universe Marvel The Fantastic Four: First Steps Logo Collared Cardigan – $69.90
• Our Universe Marvel The Fantastic Four: First Steps Icons Bowling Woven Button-Up – $54.90
• Marvel The Fantastic Four: First Steps Icons Sling Bag – $42.90
• Marvel The Fantastic Four: First Steps Silver Surfer Chrome Shine Garment Dye T-Shirt Hot Topic – Web Exclusive – $32.90
• Marvel The Fantastic Four: First Steps Fantastic Car Girls Cami Hot Topic – Web Exclusive – $23.90

Shop The Fantastic Four: First Steps Fashion Line at Hot Topic

See at Hot Topic

The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ cast features Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/The Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/The Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing. Fans will also get a chance to see Ralph Ineson as Galactus and Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal, a female version of the Silver Surfer. The Fantastic Four: First Steps hits theaters on July 25th.

Want to stay up to date with all the latest Marvel news and collectibles? Then keep an eye on our Gear Page!

The post Hot Topic Launches a Fantastic Four: First Steps Fashion Line appeared first on ComicBook.com.

What a revoltin’ development! Marvel Studios on Wednesday dropped the final Fantastic Four: First Steps trailer, and in it, the ever-lovin’, blue-eyed Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) is sporting a new bearded look. You might be thinking: Sweet Aunt Petunia! The Thing can grow facial hair? In fact, the Thing’s look has undergone various permutations since Ben Grimm became the rock-skinned superhero in 1961’s The Fantastic Four #1 from creators Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.

Take a look at the clean-shaven Thing and the bearded Thing from the new trailer:

The first time the Thing was depicted with a beard was in Fantastic Four #5, when Doctor Doom’s time travel machine sent Thing, Human Torch, and Mister Fantastic centuries into the past to find the legendary pirate Blackbeard’s treasure. To conceal their conspicuous costumes, the trio donned disguises, with Thing wearing a fake beard. (The black-bearded Thing, in turn, inspired the legend of Blackbeard in a timey-wimey twist.)

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In 2005’s Wha… Huh? #1 — a parody comic of Marvel’s What If, which imagined alternate scenarios across the Marvel multiverse — Thing had a bushy beard in “Mark Millar asks, ‘What if the Avengers all had beards?'” In another alternate reality in 2010’s Hulked-Out Heroes, Thing remained in the year 1717 as Thingbeard the Pirate and was immortalized (with a beard) in a statue honoring America’s first president who took on the British at sea to start the American Revolution.

Most recently, the Thing grew a beard in 2012’s Fantastic Four #605 by Jonathan Hickman and Ron Garney. Hickman’s influential Fantastic Four run inspired the Future Foundation in First Steps, but in the future-set issue, a time-traveling Reed Richards and his father made a visit to a futuristic New York City in the year 3012. In this possible future, Ben had lived a thousand years due to taking a serum enabling him to revert to his human form one week a year — during which is the only time he aged. The bearded Ben Grimm was still alive by the years 4012 and 5012, and by the time he died in 6012 A.D., still had a lengthy beard.

As for how the Thing can grow a beard, his rocky orange skin is more like a rock-textured hide. The cosmic rays that gave the Fantastic Four their powers made Ben’s skin, as well as his bone musculature and internal organs, stronger and denser, but his rocky hide can be chipped.

Take, for example, Mark Waid and Mike Wieringo’s Fantastic Four #70, where Doctor Doom’s Mindless Ones beat the Thing into submission and began chipping away at his rocky hide, leaving part of Ben’s flesh exposed beneath his rocky exterior for a time.

Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps — which stars Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/the Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/the Thing, with Julia Garner as Silver Surfer and Ralph Ineson as Galactus — opens only in theaters July 25.

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The post The Fantastic Four’s Thing Has a New Look in First Steps Trailer (And It’s From the Comics) appeared first on ComicBook.com.

It’s almost clobberin’ time. With exactly one month until Marvel’s First Family — Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm/Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm/Human Torch (Joseph Quinn), and Ben Grimm/the Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) — take their first steps into the MCU, Marvel Studios has released the full-length trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps. The Matt Shakman-directed movie, in theaters July 25, pits the foursome of imaginauts against the world-devouring Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his herald, the space-faring Silver Surfer (Julia Garner), who warns of doomsday in the new two-and-a-half-minute trailer.

Set against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world based on the classic Stan Lee and Jack Kirby comics, Marvel’s Fantastic Four reboot takes place in a parallel reality where the problem-solving Future Foundation ushered in the modern age of marvels and the Fab Four are the world’s foremost and greatest superheroes.

Having already faced the likes of Mole Man (Paul Walter Hauser), ruler of the underground Subterranea, and the Red Ghost (John Malkovich), a Russian cosmonaut exposed to the same cosmic radiation that gave the Fantastic Four their powers, the family will face their most daunting challenge yet when Galactus comes to Earth for Reed and Sue’s son: the young Franklin Richards.

In between shots of the four racing into action — Invisible Woman generates a force field, Human Torch flames on, the Thing clobbers, and Reed stretches both body and mind — we see Galactus looming over the Earth, robot sidekick H.E.R.B.I.E. (voiced by Star Wars‘ Matthew Wood) get a fist bump, and Ben piloting the flying Fantasti-Car for a rocky ride through the streets of New York City. Sweet Aunt Petunia, the trailer’s got it all! Watch it in the player above.

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Besides co-creators Lee and Kirby, whose legendary collaboration on the world’s greatest comic magazine led to the introduction of Silver Surfer, Galactus, Uatu the Watcher, Black Panther, the Skrulls, and Doctor Doom, Shakman drew inspiration from the seminal John Byrne-penned and penciled Fantastic Four run, Jonathan Hickman’s influential Fantastic Four (which marked the debut of the Future Foundation) and FF, as well as volumes from writer Mark Waid (with artist Mike Wieringo) and current comic scribe Ryan North.

Most of all, First Steps is rooted in the old-fashioned optimism that inspired the comic that birthed the modern Marvel Universe in 1961.

“More than just the visual aesthetics, the ‘60s to me are all about optimism,” Shakman said during Marvel Studios’ presentation at last year’s San Diego Comic-Con. “It’s about looking to the stars and dreaming about traveling into space. It’s about how with the right heart and the right mind, you can do anything — which is what the Fantastic Four is all about.”

Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps is only in theaters July 25. Tickets are now on sale.

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A new teaser for the upcoming The Fantastic Four: First Steps trailer showcases one of the most iconic moments from the comics coming to life. The short clip, which creatively plays out-of-context clips from the film on a small-screen TV in the Richards family home, includes a bit where Johnny Storm takes to the sky to write the team’s “4” logo in flames. In addition to evoking the classic source material, the brief footage of Johnny soaring through the air also calls to mind the First Steps poster Marvel released last year to celebrate what they called 4-4 Day. The one sheet featured the Human Torch making the “4” against the New York City skyline.

This latest First Steps teaser was released to remind fans that a new trailer for the movie will come out tomorrow. Check out the tease in the space below:

Disney and Marvel have now entered the homestretch of the Fantastic Four: First Steps marketing campaign. There’s only a month left until the film hits theaters, and so far, the studios have done a great job generating excitement. The initial Fantastic Four teaser released back in February netted over 200 million views in 24 hours. When tickets for First Steps went on sale, the film scored the best first day of the year on Fandango.

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Fantastic Four promotional materials have fully embraced the film’s 1960s-inspired retro-futuristic aesthetic, hammering home that the film’s story is set in a reality separate from the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Sacred Timeline. In this timeline, the Fantastic Four are the only heroes around, becoming beloved celebrities in their version of New York. It’s unknown how they will cross paths with the heroes of Earth-616, as teased in the Thunderbolts* post-credits scene.

The Fantastic Four marketing campaign continues to honor the characters’ roots in Marvel Comics while teasing an exciting future for the MCU. That approach isn’t surprising considering Kevin Feige’s mentality about the project. After the Fantastic Four headlined two different film series that quickly fizzled out, Feige saw First Steps as an opportunity to do Marvel’s First Family justice. Most of what fans have seen so far harkens back to the team’s origins, and hopefully everything translates well in the final film. First Steps is a vital part of the Multiverse Saga, especially after Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts* disappointed at the box office.

It’ll be interesting to see how much is shown in the new First Steps trailer. Promotional materials to date have kept details like Galactus’ full look under wraps. While some appreciate that the trailers haven’t spoiled much, there are those who feel like First Steps could benefit from shedding a bit more light on the story. By not highlighting certain elements (such as the characters’ powers), it can give the impression that the studio is trying to hide something. Giving viewers a clearer idea of what they can expect may not be the worst idea. However, the film is already shaping up to be a draw, so Marvel evidently doesn’t need to pull out every trick in the book to sell people on First Steps.

The post Fantastic Four Teaser Shows One of the Comics’ Most Iconic Moments in Live Action appeared first on ComicBook.com.

It takes no stretch of the imagination to see Pedro Pascal as the patriarch of Marvel’s First Family. Having played father figures on hit series like Star Wars: The Mandalorian and The Last of Us, Pascal next brings his paternal instincts to Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps, where he portrays flexible father-to-be Reed Richards.

As the fourth actor to depict the stretchy super-genius on the big screen — Alex Hyde-White first played the character in the unreleased 1994 Fantastic Four movie, with Ioan Gruffudd, Miles Teller, and John Krasinski all appearing in past cinematic iterations, from 2005’s Fantastic Four to 2015’s Fant4stic and 2022’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness — Pascal considered all versions in his approach to the Marvel superhero.

“I’ll confess, I didn’t come at it with any sort of attempt at distinguishing it from previous authorships,” Pascal told Vanity Fair. “I need all of the context and all of the information to kind of like — it’s silly to use the word ‘spiritually’ — but to spiritually kind of like enter into an experience, because I can’t compartmentalize.”

“It’s all happened. It’s all been seen and done before by many,” he explained. “And so I want it all to kind of be living in my imagination.”

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This time, Pascal’s co-stars are Vanessa Kirby (Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning) as Sue Storm/the Invisible Woman, who becomes pregnant with Reed’s child in a first for a Fantastic Four movie; Joseph Quinn (Stranger Things) as Sue’s brother, Johnny Storm/the Human Torch; and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Bear) as Reed’s best friend, Ben Grimm/the Thing.

“It’s been a dream to join the MCU,” said Pascal, who previously played the DC Comics villain Maxwell Lord in 2020’s Wonder Woman 1984. It was also a pleasure “to be invited into a family and to also just kind of step into what is an ensemble, the movie is called The Fantastic Four.”

While Reed Richards may be the leader of the Fantastic Four, Pascal noted, “If there was a competition of who’s funniest, who is smartest, and who is the most talented, I’m number four. And I’m not even being modest here.”

“I have never been around, how dare they, I’ve never been around such talented f—ers in my life,” he joked. “Joe is astonishing to me. Ebon is one of the funniest — Ebon, to me, is a writer in the way that his mind works and the zingers that come out in conversation. And Vanessa Kirby is a force of nature.”

Whereas Krasinski’s Reed Richards of Earth-838 was depicted as a father in his minor role in 2022’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness — “I have children of my own,” he said while empathizing with Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlet Witch — First Steps is the first time audiences will see Reed and Sue as a married couple with son Franklin Richards in live-action.

Kirby “was a leader for me in terms of getting into material like this and elevating it as much as we could, and making our relationship as real as it could possibly be,” Pascal said. “I have no idea what they’ll end up using [in the finished cut], but what she and I put into it was really a marriage story for us in the most human way: keeping a family together, starting to expand on that family, the fear of that.”

Directed by Matt Shakman (WandaVision), Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world. The reboot introduces Marvel’s First Family — Reed Richards, Sue and Johnny Storm, Ben Grimm — as they face their most daunting challenge yet.

“Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, they must defend Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner),” the synopsis reads. “And if Galactus’ plan to devour the entire planet and everyone on it weren’t bad enough, it suddenly gets very personal.”

Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps is in theaters July 25. Pascal and his cast mates will then reprise their roles in 2026’s Avengers: Doomsday and 2027’s Avengers: Secret Wars.

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The post The Fantastic Four: First Steps Star Pedro Pascal Teases His Approach to Reed Richards in the MCU appeared first on ComicBook.com.

It’s not easy being in the public eye. Paparazzi are around every corner, and the tabloids are waiting for one minor slip-up to declare war on someone. However, there is a whole different set of expectations when an actor accepts a role based on a comic book. Decades and decades of history follow them wherever they go, and if they even have one hair out of place, the backlash will be inescapable. Pedro Pascal is well aware of all of this ahead of his appearnce in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, but he has a great support system that includes one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe‘s biggest stars.

Pascal is no stranger to massive roles, as his resume includes stints on Game of Thrones, Star Wars: The Mandalorian, and The Last of Us. However, the MCU is a whole different world, and as the actor tells Vanity Fair, he and the rest of the First Steps creative team are having to wrap their heads around that.

“I’m getting an inkling of excitement because it seems to reflect what our common goal was, and what we want to share, which is all of our f***ing hearts on a platter within this genre,” he said. “You just never know if people are going to be disgusted by your heart or not.”

The pessimistic attitude isn’t coming out of left field, though, as Pascal has heard detractors come after his age and appearance in the lead-up to his MCU debut. “I’m more aware of disgruntlement around my casting than anything I’ve ever done,” he explained. ‘He’s too old. He’s not right. He needs to shave.'”

Fortunately, one actor who has experience playing in the MCU background is coming to Pascal’s defense. Robert Downey Jr. has reached out to his Avengers: Doomsday co-star and offered words of encouragement.

“He’s just so immediately generous and inviting that you feel like you can be afraid, you can be hungry, you can be ambivalent,” Pascal said.

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Robert Downey Jr. Is in Every MCU Actor’s Corner

The love goes both ways because Downey Jr. told Vanity Fair how much Pascal’s journey means to him, saying, “Pascal’s slow trajectory to becoming a household name who is on a wildly hot streak kind of reaffirms my faith in our industry.”

Pascal isn’t the only actor in the MCU family that Downey Jr. has his eye on, however. Ahead of the release of Ironheart, the actor took time out of his busy schedule while filming Doomsday to send a message to Dominique Thorne, who is preparing to headline her first solo project.

Thorne appreciated the message from her fellow Iron Person, but it wasn’t the first time she had heard from him. “Shortly after we finished filming in Chicago is when I got the first phone call from him, and he has been so sweet, like, through and through,” she told Good Morning America. “So, the support it means so much. It really does.”

All these positive stories about the Iron Man actor make Marvel Studios’ decision to bring him back as a villain make more sense. He’s a positive force of nature and makes everyone else feel good about themselves on set. There’s not much more someone can do to prove that they’re worthy of being the face of a franchise.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps hits theaters on July 25, 2025.

Are you happy that Pedro Pascal is playing Reed Richards in the MCU? What are your thoughts on Robert Downey Jr. standing behind his Avengers: Doomsday co-star after all the backlash? Let us know in the comments below!

The post Pedro Pascal Gets Support From Robert Downey Jr. After Fantastic Four Casting Backlash appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Ever since Tony Stark snapped his fingers and permanently ended his association with the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Avengers: Endgame, Marvel Studios has struggled with the need to fill the resulting vacuum. Even if they didn’t really acknowledge it at first. The legacy of Iron Man isn’t just about tech or wealth – it’s about presence, leadership, and narrative drama. Intelligent neurosis. A sprinkle of paranoia. It’s about being the smartest guy in the room, and that actually being a bit of a problem.

The MCU has dangled potential successors in front of us – Riri Williams suiting up as Ironheart, James Rhodes stepping up for the permanently on-hold Armor Wars, Doctor Strange being the new guy who makes informed mistakes in the name of the greater good – but none of them have quite landed with the same gravity Stark had.

The problem is that Stark wasn’t just an inventor or a leader. He was the nervous system of the Avengers. His intellect and his anxiety were the engine driving so many pivotal moments. And now, five years since his death, Marvel might have finally found someone who could actually replace him – not in a suit of armor, but in the moral and emotional architecture of the universe.

Reed Richards Is Built to Inherit Tony’s Burden

Enter Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards. The MCU’s Fantastic Four: First Steps hasn’t even hit theaters yet, and Marvel is already laying the groundwork for Richards to be the new linchpin of the franchise, as is fitting of Marvel’s First Family. It’s been known for some time that Kevin Feige intends for Fantastic Four to play a major role in shaping the future of the MCU. But what’s especially revealing is how the new movie is framing Reed’s character. In a recent interview with Empire Magazine, director Matt Shakman shared that “There’s the very cerebral Reed Richards, and then there’s the action hero, the leader, the husband, the father, the friend. I knew Pedro could do all of that…”

Pascal’s take on the character is even more intriguing: “He does the ultimate version of catastrophising – a brain that has an overview of threats on a mathematical level, but also being emotionally available. It was a fascinating contradiction.” It’s that part about “catastrophising” that should stand out. That idea was the arc reactor of Stark’s entire character arc.

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Tony didn’t just build suits because he liked how he looked and the fame; he did it because he was terrified of what would happen if he didn’t. Ultron was born from panic. So was his backing of the Sokovia Accords. He lived in fear of the next alien invasion, the next Thanos, the next moment he wouldn’t see coming. He made Pepper a suit more powerful than his own in Endgame as a contingency. Reed Richards, with his mathematical omniscience isn’t just smart – he’s haunted. That makes him the perfect character who can truly inherit Tony’s mindset.

What makes Reed’s arc so compelling isn’t just his intelligence – it’s the emotional cost of being that intelligent. The same curse of knowledge Thanos identified in Stark as soon as they met. That’s exactly why Stark became such a rich character in the back half of the Infinity Saga. Reed is someone who can see the end from the beginning, but is still vulnerable to the same human mistakes Tony made: overreach, misjudgment, isolation disguised as confidence. And just like Stark, Reed will eventually be someone others follow not just because of his tech, but because of his fear and his confident action.

If First Steps‘ delivery of Richards as a character matches what Pascal is promising, the MCU will have its new replacement for Tony Stark, just as Robert Downey Jr returns as the new big bad, Doctor Doom. It’s an intriguing prospect, because Iron Man often skirted the line between heroism and villainy (even accidentally) at times precisely because of the fear that drove him. And that same dynamic could also make Mr Fantastic just as compelling.

The post It’s Official, Mr Fantastic is Tony Stark’s Actual Replacement in the MCU appeared first on ComicBook.com.

There’s still about a month to go before The Fantastic Four: First Steps hits theaters, but Marvel Studios is already thinking about the team’s long-term future on the big screen. On the heels of Disney/Marvel securing a December 2028 release date for another mystery MCU film, Variety made note of “projects in development” that could potentially release during that window. Listed among the titles is a Fantastic Four sequel. Other possibilities mentioned include the X-Men reboot, Black Panther 3, and the long-gestating Blade reboot that’s been subject to several delays since it was originally announced in 2019.

Before Marvel’s First Family headline a standalone First Steps sequel, the characters have an integral role to play throughout the remainder of the Multiverse Saga. Stars Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach are all set to reprise their roles in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has confirmed that First Steps will lead into the events of Doomsday.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set to open in late July, following fellow big-budget studio tentpoles Jurassic World Rebirth and Superman in what’s shaping up to be a busy month at the multiplex. Tickets for First Steps went on sale earlier this month and sold fast. For a while, First Steps had the best-selling first day of the year on Fandango.

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Fantastic Four: First Steps Raises a Major Question About Galactus’s Place in the MCU Multiverse

Marvel Studios is in a position where it really needs The Fantastic Four: First Steps to be a sizable box office hit. The MCU’s box office woes have continued in 2025, with both Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts* going down as disappointments. Last summer’s Deadpool & Wolverine was a $1 billion sensation, but 2023 saw the likes of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and The Marvels struggle commercially.

That a Fantastic Four sequel is already in development is an encouraging sign. It shows Marvel is confident in the film and believes it will resonate with audiences. Previous attempts to bring Marvel’s First Family to the big screen did not work very well (resulting in not one, but two series that fizzled out), but the third time could be the charm. Feige saw First Steps as an opportunity to finally do these characters justice, and it’s clear something about his approach is working so far. From the beginning of the First Steps marketing campaign, MCU fans have been interested in the reboot. The initial trailer released back in February netted over 200 million views in its first 24 hours.

Marvel being so bullish on the Fantastic Four also indicates viewers will respond well to their appearances in Doomsday and Secret Wars, increasing demand for their MCU future. While the two Avengers films are designed to bring the Multiverse Saga to a close, it will also probably look to lay a foundation for the MCU’s next phase. It’s believed mutants will be the primary focus in the franchise after Secret Wars, but Marvel would still like to keep some familiar faces around, developing follow-ups featuring characters the audiences knows and loves. When Marvel Studios started working on a Fantastic Four reboot, they likely envisioned the heroes would be around for a long time. Hopefully, a Fantastic Four series can become one of the MCU’s pillars moving forward.

The post Marvel Is Already Working on a Sequel to Its Most Anticipated Upcoming Movie (& That’s Good News) appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige has officially confirmed a direct narrative link between two of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most anticipated upcoming films, revealing that the events of The Fantastic Four: First Steps will lead directly into the storyline of Avengers: Doomsday. Feige’s announcement, made during a presentation at the CineEurope trade show, solidifies long-held fan speculation that was sparked by a revealing post-credits scene in Thunderbolts*. The confirmation establishes the First Family’s introductory movie not just as a standalone story but as a crucial prologue to the next major Avengers crossover event. This places the iconic team at the immediate center of the universe-spanning stakes of the Multiverse Saga upon their arrival in the MCU.

Warning: Spoilers below for Thunderbolts*

Feige’s official announcement pays off a major tease from the post-credits scene of Thunderbolts*, which is set 14 months after the formation of the government-sanctioned New Avengers. In that scene, the team detects an “extradimensional” ship entering Earth’s orbit, with a satellite view revealing the vessel is adorned with the Fantastic Four’s classic logo. This development provides a clear narrative bridge, explaining how the team, whose own film is set in an alternate, retro-futuristic 1960s-inspired timeline, arrives in the main MCU. The catalyst for their interdimensional journey is likely the film’s primary antagonists, Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his herald, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner), who threaten their world’s existence. However, we still don’t know for certain how the Fantastic Four will be removed from their MCU timeline.

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Helmed by director Matt Shakman, The Fantastic Four: First Steps will introduce audiences to Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/the Thing. With the cast already confirmed to appear in Avengers: Doomsday, Feige’s announcement underscores the scale of the threat posed by Doctor Doom and the central role Marvel’s First Family is poised to play in the franchise’s future.

The Road to Avengers: Doomsday

The wait for Avengers: Doomsday has been extended following a significant shift in Marvel Studios’ release schedule that pushed the film back seven months to a new date of December 18, 2026. This delay is reportedly due to the immense scope and scale of the project, which insiders have described as one of the largest movies Marvel has ever produced. Avengers: Doomsday‘s colossal cast list, announced during a livestream event in March, supports these claims, with dozens of actors already confirmed and more announcements promised. The story will assemble heroes from across the entire history of the MCU and beyond to face its primary antagonist, Doctor Doom, who will be played by former Iron Man star Robert Downey Jr.

The crossover’s roster unites MCU veterans like Chris Hemsworth (Thor) and Anthony Mackie (Captain America) with the full Thunderbolts* team, including Florence Pugh (Yelena Belova) and Sebastian Stan (Bucky Barnes). They will be joined by the principal cast of The Fantastic Four: First Steps and fan-favorite characters from Fox’s X-Men movies, including Patrick Stewart (Professor X) and Ian McKellen (Magneto). The secrecy surrounding such a massive ensemble is intense, so much so that even veteran actor Tom Hiddleston, who reprises his role as Loki, learned about his official casting announcement alongside the public.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps will be released in theaters on July 25th, with Avengers: Doomsday following on December 18, 2026.

How do you think the Fantastic Four’s arrival will trigger the events of Avengers: Doomsday? Share your theories in the comments!

The post Marvel Studios Boss Confirms Avengers: Doomsday and Fantastic Four Connection appeared first on ComicBook.com.

New fan art brings together Reed Richards from The Fantastic Four: First Steps and Clark Kent from Superman in celebration of their upcoming back-to-back releases in July 2025. Now is one of the most exciting times to be a fan of superhero movies, as two of the most iconic properties in comic book history, the Fantastic Four and Superman, will both be getting vibrant, colorful, and modern reinventions. Marvel and DC are often regarded to be in competition, but new art sees them celebrating each other, with Mister Fantastic and Superman fist-bumping each other.

Shared by @_themightymyles_ on Instagram, the art shows the similarities in both of the new incarnations of Superman and the Fantastic Four. The clearest and perhaps most welcome change is that both these heroes will be getting comic-accurate costume makeovers, with Superman’s new costume being brighter and more colourful than other recent versions, while the Fantastic Four will finally suit-up in their blue-and-white, 1960s-style suits. It’s great to see these heroes celebrating each other in this brilliant new art.

James Gunn’s Superman, the first film in the rebooted DC Universe, is scheduled for release on July 11, 2025. David Corenswet debuts as the Man of Steel, and he’ll be introduced alongside a new version of Metropolis. The Fantastic Four: First Steps, directed by WandaVision’s Matt Shakman, will also introduce us to an exciting new world on July 25, 2025. First Steps will be set primarily outside the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s main continuity of Earth-616, and will instead take place in an alternate, retro-futuristic, 1960s-inspired universe, which creates intriguing opportunities for Marvel to really experiment with tone, stakes, and design.

Superman and the Fantastic Four are arguably the most prominent and popular properties of their respective companies. Superman has headlined DC Comics’ stories since his first appearance in 1938’s Action Comics #1, while the Fantastic Four’s Marvel Comics debut in 1961’s The Fantastic Four #1 marked the start of the “Marvel Age of Comics,” establishing revolutionary new connected storylines and characters. It’s very possible that reintroducing these heroes into live-action could have the same revolutionary impact on the movie and TV franchises of the DCU and the MCU.

The releases of both Superman and The Fantastic Four: First Steps are very highly-anticipated, and this fan art is a wonderful expression of the camaraderie and celebration of both. Superman is scheduled for release on July 11th, while The Fantastic Four: First Steps will follow on July 25th, as the first feature film in the MCU’s Phase 6.

Are you excited for Marvel and DC’s summer of superheroes? Let us know in the comments!

The post July’s Marvel Vs DC Battle Perfectly Celebrated In Superman & Fantastic Four Art appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The ending of Thunderbolts* delivered one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most welcome surprises, but Kevin Feige’s new comments have spurred theories suggesting all may not be as it seems. Thunderbolts* – or The New Avengers – brought back several antiheroes and reformed villains as a brand-new superhero team who protected New York from Robert Reynolds’ dark alter ego, the Void. However, the New Avengers wasn’t the only team introduced in Thunderbolts*, as the movie’s post-credits scene also teased the Fantastic Four. A new theory posits that the version of the Fantastic Four seen in Thunderbolts* is actually from Earth-838.

Earth-838 is the alternate universe that was home to the Illuminati team in 2022’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Among the Illuminati members was John Krasinski’s version of Reed Richards’ Mister Fantastic, the leader of the Fantastic Four, though he was ultimately murdered by the Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen). A new theory shared on Instagram suggests that the Fantastic Four ship seen at the end of Thunderbolts* could be the remaining team members from Earth-838 coming to avenge the death of their leader, not the upcoming iteration of the team from The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

This theory might be supported by Marvel boss Kevin Feige’s new comments in the July 2025 issue of Empire Magazine. “The name of their ship is the Excelsior, and there is a Fantastic Four ship entering the MCU in the tag,” Feige noted in reference to the appearance of the Fantastic Four ship, presumably from First Steps, in Thunderbolts*‘ post-credits scene. However, he then states, “But I’m not sure they’re the same ship,” which has cast doubt on whether this is, indeed, the group’s vessel from First Steps.

While the Excelsior from The Fantastic Four: First Steps and the Fantastic Four ship in Thunderbolts* do look remarkably similar, eagle-eyed viewers might notice that they do have one major difference: First Steps’ Excelsior has three legs coming from the back of the ship, while the vessel in Thunderbolts* has four, hinting as these ships being from different realities. It would make sense for Marvel Studios to revisit Earth-838’s heroes from Multiverse of Madness, as there’s no way they’d simply forgive and forget the Scarlet Witch’s brutal murder of Mister Fantastic, Professor X, Captain Marvel, and Captain Carter.

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There has been speculation since 2022 that the other heroes of Earth-838 would come into the MCU’s main continuity of Earth-616 to seek vengeance. 2026’s upcoming Avengers: Doomsday and its 2027 sequel, Avengers: Secret Wars, would be the perfect place for this to occur, and Thunderbolts*’ post-credits scene may have already set this up. This could bring alternate versions of Magneto, Carol Danvers, the X-Men, the Avengers, and the Fantastic Four into the MCU, explaining some of Doomsday’s already-confirmed cast – while they’ll also be joined by the MCU’s official Fantastic Four team after First Steps‘ July 2025 release.

Are you excited to see the Fantastic Four finally debut in the MCU? Let us know in the comments!

The post Epic MCU Theory Twists Thunderbolts’ Ending & Resolves a Huge 3-Year-Old Multiverse Loose End appeared first on ComicBook.com.

On August 8, it will have been 64 years since The Fantastic Four #1 introduced Marvel’s First Family — Mister Fantastic, the Invisible Girl, the Human Torch, and the Thing — and ushered in the Marvel Age of Comics. In the classic issue by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the Fantastic Four first band together to investigate a series of mysterious cave-ins targeting atomic plants across the globe. Jetting off to Monster Isle in “The Fantastic Four Meet the Mole Man,” the Fab Four find the subterranean domain of the Mole Man, who commands a horde of underground creatures.

Monsters like Giganto, the initially unnamed green goliath seen emerging from the streets beneath New York City on the cover for Fantastic Four #1 (penciled by Kirby, colored by Stan Goldberg and inked by George Klein). Although the Fantastic Four’s fight with the gigantic monster occurs on Monster Isle rather than in their native New York, it’s one of the most iconic covers in Marvel Comics history.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps pays homage to the cover in new footage, which comes in the form of a promotional tie-in with Little Caesars Pizza. The pizza chain unveiled the new commercial (below) advertising the Fantastic Four-N-One Pizza as part of its collaboration with the Marvel Studios movie.

The spot was written and produced by Marvel Studios’ Marketing Partnerships team and is directed by The Fantastic Four: First Steps production designer Kasra Farahani, who is behind the film’s retro-futuristic version of the 1960s.

“We had a blast joining forces with Little Caesars to serve up exciting and flavorful ways to celebrate Fantastic Four: First Steps,” Holly Frank, Walt Disney Studios VP, Partnership Management and Operations, Marvel, said in a statement. “From the limited time offer Fantastic Four-N-One Pizza to the custom commercial written and produced by our internal team, this collaboration really brings the action-packed fun of Marvel’s ‘First Family’ to the table”.

While there’s no glimpse of the Mole Man (rumored to be played by Paul Walter Hauser), another promotional video (below) teases the arrival of Galactus, Devourer of Worlds — and pizza.

According to a press release, the new Fantastic Four-N-One Pizza is available online at participating Little Caesars locations starting June 16, and will be available nationwide on June 23. Inspired by the Fantastic Four, the pizza combines four flavors — classic cheese, pepperoni, Italian sausage & bacon, and pepperoni & jalapeño — in one large pie. A set of four collectible Fantastic Four pizza boxes are available for a limited time.

Fans who spend $20 or more at Little Caesars in-restaurant or online between June 16 and August 10 will also receive a code for $4 off a movie ticket (via Fandango) to see The Fantastic Four: First Steps in theaters.

“This is a big moment for our brand,” said Greg Hamilton, Chief Marketing Officer at Little Caesars. “We’re thrilled to work with Marvel Studios to bring the excitement of The Fantastic Four: First Steps into our stores and into homes across the country. It’s a delicious, craveable, and family-friendly way to celebrate the heroes that bring us together.”

The film, set in a 1960s-inspired New York, features an all-star cast that includes Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/the Thing. In The Fantastic Four: First Steps, the team faces their most cosmic challenge yet when Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and the Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) threaten Earth’s very existence.

Directed by Matt Shakman (WandaVision, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters), Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps opens only in theaters July 25.

The post New Fantastic Four: First Steps Footage Reveals Full Look at Iconic Secret Villain appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The long-awaited release of Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps has sent ripples of excitement and speculation throughout the Marvel Cinematic Universe fandom. While a significant amount of early chatter focused on the casting and the intriguing 1960s setting, a deeper dive into the implications of the “First Steps” title, especially when coupled with Galactus confirmed to be in the film, unveils a truly mind-bending question about the Devourer of Worlds and his unique position within the sprawling MCU multiverse. Theories circulating around Galactus’ role as a singular, multiversal entity rather than a variant of himself across different realities spark a fascinating debate that could fundamentally reshape the understanding of cosmic power in the MCU, pushing the boundaries of established multiversal rules.

The Traditional Understanding of Multiversal Beings May Not Apply to Galactus

The MCU’s journey into the multiverse has firmly established one principle: for nearly every individual, there are infinite variants across infinite realities. We’ve seen this play out with Loki, Spider-Man, Doctor Strange, and Wanda Maximoff, as well as her children. This concept of parallel selves, each with their own unique experiences and choices, has been central to understanding the chaotic beauty and inherent dangers of the multiverse. The Sacred Timeline, established and painstakingly maintained by the Time Variance Authority (TVA) before its disruption, was a testament to the overwhelming number of these variants. However, what if a being exists that defies this very rule? What if a cosmic entity is so singular, so intrinsically linked to the very fabric of existence, that it absolutely cannot have variants? This is precisely the question raised by the theories surrounding Galactus.

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If Galactus is in fact a singular entity, then his arrival in Fantastic Four: First Steps isn’t just the introduction of a new villain; it’s a cosmic event of unparalleled importance that transcends individual timelines and realities. This would mean that the Galactus in the 1960s, poised to devour the Earth belonging to the Fantastic Four, is the one and only Galactus – a being whose presence exists across every conceivable universe. He wouldn’t be one version of many, like the variants of the Illuminati seen in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Instead, he would be a universal constant, a force that exists outside the conventional multiversal framework. This singular nature would make the threat level Galactus poses even more terrifying, turning his conflict with the Fantastic Four in their universe into something with far-reaching, multiversal implications. Such a revelation would challenge the very rules of multiversal physics established so far in the MCU, forcing heroes and audiences alike to reconsider what truly constitutes a being in the grand cosmic scheme.

Galactus’ Singular Nature Could Redefine the Stakes of the Multiverse

The implications of Galactus being a singular entity are far-reaching, particularly when considering the multiversal threats that have slowly been escalating in the MCU. Up until this point, the devastating power of multiversal travel and the chaotic consequences of timeline branches have been explored. However, these threats usually stem from the actions of specific heroes or villains or the act of various realities converging. If Galactus is a unique, non-variant being, then his cosmic hunger poses an existential threat not just to one Earth or one universe, but potentially to the entire multiverse. This would make Galactus more of a threat than even the likes of Kang the Conqueror, who, despite his attempts to meddle with timelines, is still ultimately a collection of variants. Each Kang is a distinct individual, even if they share a common origin and goal. A singular Galactus, however, would be a universal constant‒ a force of nature that has only one goal of cosmic consumption. Therefore, defeating Galactus would bring about results that echo through every reality simultaneously.

This possibility turns the Fantastic Four’s fight against Galactus from a heroic defense of their planet into a sprawling conflict‒ a “first step” towards understanding and confronting threats on a cosmic scale that has yet to be seen in the MCU. The question then becomes: if there’s only one Galactus, what happens if he’s stopped? Does he simply cease to exist across all realities, or is his essence contained, only to resurface elsewhere? Since previously seen fights against dangerous variants would not apply to a singular entity, then heroes wouldn’t have the luxury of learning from mistakes made against other versions of Galactus; they would be facing the one and only Galactus – a being of ultimate cosmic power with no known weaknesses or other versions to study. This challenge could force the MCU’s heroes to seek out new alliances across the multiverse in a way never before seen, perhaps even looking for assistance from cosmic beings from other realities who also recognize the threat Galactus represents.

The notion of Galactus as a unique, non-variant entity isn’t entirely without precedent in comic lore, where certain cosmic beings operate on a higher plane of existence outside of the conventional multiversal structure. If Fantastic Four: First Steps goes in this direction, it would not only give a fresh and interesting take on a classic villain but also open up a new realm of storytelling possibilities for the MCU’s Multiverse Saga. The “First Steps” may indeed be the initial journey towards understanding a grander landscape far more complex and awe-inspiring than any of the heroes up until this point could have imagined.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps will be in theaters and IMAX on July 25th.

The post Fantastic Four: First Steps Raises a Major Question About Galactus’s Place in the MCU Multiverse appeared first on ComicBook.com.

When The Fantastic Four: First Steps hits theaters later this summer, it’s going to do something different when compared to other Marvel movies from the past few years. IMAX screenings of the film will have scenes presented in the 1.43:1 aspect ratio. Cinematographer Jess Hall, who shot First Steps, provided details about the project on her Website, including the various formats used during production. A handful of different ones are listed: IMAX 1.90:1, IMAX 1.43:1, 2.39:1 STD. Theatrical 65mm Digital, and 16mm & 35 Film. It’s specifically noted that “sections” of First Steps will be shown in the IMAX 1.43:1 ratio.

With this, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is going to be the first Marvel Cinematic Universe installment since 2021’s Eternals that utilizes the IMAX 1.43:1 aspect ratio. Only a handful of films throughout history have used this special format (The Direct notes the total is just 22 so far). What makes IMAX 1.43:1 unique is that the picture expands to take up the full screen, providing viewers with a much more immersive experience.

Kicking off the MCU’s Phase 6, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is gearing up for its release in July. Tickets for the tentpole recently went on sale. For a moment, First Steps posted the biggest first-day ticket sales of the year on Fandango (before Superman topped it), highlighting how excited Marvel fans are for the highly anticipated reboot. The film is a key part of the MCU moving forward, as stars Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach are all set to reprise their roles in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars.

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The Fantastic Four: First Steps Is More Important for the MCU Than You Realize

Embracing the multiverse element, The Fantastic Four: First Steps takes place in an alternate, 1960s-inspired retro-futuristic dimension where Marvel’s First Family are the only superheroes around. Trailers for First Steps have shown off the movie’s unique production design, as well as sequences set in outer space. A scene that played during CCXP earlier this month teased a set piece where the Silver Surfer chases the Fantastic Four’s ship, which flies through a black hole.

That The Fantastic Four: First Steps will be presented in IMAX isn’t surprising, but it’s a nice touch that the filmmakers are incorporating the 1.43:1 aspect ratio. It illustrates that Marvel was thinking big with this movie, doing everything it could to ensure it leaves an impression on viewers. Sequences where the aspect ratio shifts will take on a greater sense of importance, drawing the audience in by making use of the full canvas of the IMAX screen. Marvel must be confident in First Steps‘ action sequences if it went the extra mile to make certain sections of the movie even more immersive. Regular IMAX is a worthy upgrade, but the 1.43:1 aspect ratio really shows off the full potential of the premium format.

It will be interesting to see how much of The Fantastic Four: First Steps is presented in 1:43.1. In all likelihood, it will be relegated to key action set pieces, particularly ones that highlight the Fantastic Four’s powers. It wouldn’t be a shock if the picture expands for the third act finale, giving it the epic feel a superhero blockbuster deserves. As long as The Fantastic Four: First Steps is better received than Eternals, it should give viewers a special, out-of-this-world theatrical experience.

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Marvel Studios may have already confirmed a wild link between Reed Richards and Kang in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s next upcoming movie, The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Scheduled to be released on July 25, 2025, The Fantastic Four: First Steps will introduce Reed Richards’ Mister Fantastic to the MCU, with Pedro Pascal taking over the role of the “Smartest Man Alive” from Ioan Gruffudd, Miles Teller, and John Krasinski. Set firmly in Marvel Studios’ multiverse, clear connections between First Steps and the wider MCU can be established, which may include a key part of Reed Richards’ heritage.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps may be taking place in an alternate reality to the MCU’s primary continuity of Earth-616, but the events of the Phase 6 movie will surely have a huge impact on the Russo brothers’ upcoming crossover events and the franchise beyond. Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards will become a central part of the MCU following Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, alongside the other members of Marvel’s First Family. Fantastic Four: First Steps can establish just how important he is by connecting Mister Fantastic to already-seen characters and organizations – a process that might have already begun.

Reed Richards Has a Wild Connection to the TVA That the MCU Hasn’t Explored Yet

Eagle-eyed viewers have noticed that Reed Richards’ computer screens in the trailers for The Fantastic Four: First Steps appear to be very similar to the screens used by analysts and Minute Men at the Time Variance Authority. This has spurred theories as to the connection between Mister Fantastic and the TVA, but diehard Marvel Comics fans may already be aware of said connection. This is something that has never been explored in live-action before, but Marvel Studios is perfectly primed to finally explore Reed Richards’ backstory, family heritage, and his connection to the villain Kang the Conqueror.

In Marvel Comics, Reed Richards’ father is the time-traveler Nathaniel Richards. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because it’s also shared by Nathaniel’s descendant and namesake, Nathaniel Richards, the man who becomes Kang the Conqueror and his time-traveling variants, including Immortus, Rama-Tut, the Scarlet Centurion, and, in the MCU, “He Who Remains.” Jonathan Majors portrayed Kang and his variants in the MCU, namely in Loki and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, and since no familial connection has yet been determined, The Fantastic Four: First Steps can change that.

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7 MCU Heroes That Have Actually Been on the Fantastic Four

The fact that Reed Richards and Kang are very distant cousins (the exact relation is unclear) means that Marvel might have already explained how Richards has the same technology as the TVA. In the MCU, the TVA was originally created and ruled over by He Who Remains, a variant of Kang living at the end of time, so the origin of his technology and knowledge may be exactly the same as his long-lost family member, Mister Fantastic. Should it explore this connection, The Fantastic Four: First Steps has the perfect opportunity to make Kang relevant in the MCU once again.

Reed Richards TVA Theory Provides a Great Chance For Marvel to Reintroduce Kang the Conqueror & His Variants

When He Who Remains first appeared in Loki season 1’s finale, “For All Time. Always,” Jonathan Majors was set to become a central part of the MCU as the Multiverse Saga’s primary antagonist. Quantumania debuted the Conqueror himself, and the 2023 movie’s mid-credits scene teased the Council of Kangs, all portrayed by Majors. This created an awkward situation for Marvel when Majors was arrested and convicted on two counts of reckless assault and harassment, leading to him being immediately fired from Marvel, and throwing Kang’s future in the MCU into jeopardy.

RELATED: Avengers Star Jonathan Majors Describes the Moment He Discovered Marvel Fired Him

Some theorized that Kang and his variants could simply be recast, as Marvel could have used the endless possibilities of the multiverse to supplant Majors for new actors. However, Marvel Studios instead chose to move on from Kang’s narrative, with the Russo brothers and Robert Downey Jr. being brought back to introduce Doctor Doom as the new primary antagonist of the Multiverse Saga in Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars. Even so, this doesn’t shut the door on Kang returning in the future, and Reed Richards’ connection to the TVA in The Fantastic Four: First Steps can set this up perfectly.

Teasing Pedro Pascal’s Mister Fantastic as a long-lost family member of Kang in the MCU opens the door for the multiversal threat to be reintroduced as a Fantastic Four villain somewhere down the line. This could take place in a sequel to The Fantastic Four: First Steps or even a future crossover, but it’s unlikely to be soon. Kang’s storyline would be stronger with a familial backbone, rather than having him simply seeking to destroy multiversal timelines for no distinct reason, so it would be fantastic – pun intended – to connect him more definitely to Reed Richards and the Fantastic Four.

Do you want to see Kang the Conqueror reintroduced alongside the Fantastic Four in the MCU? Let us know in the comments!

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The Fantastic Four: First Steps star Pedro Pascal expresses his support for James Gunn’s Superman by sharing a piece of crossover fan art. On his Instagram story, the actor posted a piece from artist @JustRalphyyy depicting David Corenswet’s Superman and Pascal’s Reed Richards sitting together looking over the horizon. In the sky, the Superman and Fantastic Four logos are merged into one, celebrating the impending arrivals of both superhero blockbusters this summer. Pascal is excited for both movies to get the spotlight in theaters next month, dubbing their impending premieres “superfantastic.”

Pascal’s Instagram story is accompanied by a snippet of John Murphy’s score from Superman. You can check out a still image of it in the space below, courtesy DC Film News on X.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps arrives two weeks after Superman in July. Both projects are critical to the futures of their respective franchises. First Steps introduces a team of new characters who will play key roles throughout the remainder of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Multiverse Saga. The film’s stars are returning in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. Superman is the first theatrical release for the new DC Universe, hoping to usher in a new era for DC Comics adaptations under the leadership of DC Studios co-heads Gunn and Peter Safran.

[RELATED – Fantastic Four: First Steps Puts a Twist on 60-Year-Old Classic Marvel Line]

Pascal’s post arrives shortly after Gunn voiced his own support for Fantastic Four. Responding to a fan on social media, the Superman director downplayed the notion of any box office rivalry between the two tentpoles, saying, “I love my friends at Marvel.” He expressed a desire to “focus on all the positivity” about the films, believing there’s plenty of room for both.

Marvel vs. DC can be a fun topic to debate for fans (when done respectfully, of course), but the people who actually make the movies take a much different perspective. Pascal, Gunn, and others don’t see each other as rivals that need to be defeated. To them, any comic book adaptation is a celebration of what makes superhero stories great and memorable. Healthy competition can be a good thing, particularly in fields like the film industry. By making hit movies, Marvel and DC can challenge each other to be the best they can be, entertaining audiences with a plethora of compelling blockbusters that push the genre forward in exciting ways.

Hopefully Gunn’s prediction comes true and both Superman and The Fantastic Four: First Steps have long, lucrative theatrical runs this summer. The latter seems to be in good shape, breaking pre-sale records shortly after tickets went on sale. Warner Bros. is currently in the midst of giving Superman a huge marketing push, building hype and excitement for its debut next month. Gunn’s pervious comic book adaptations have all turned out well, so there’s little reason to doubt Superman will also be a success when it opens. The Fantastic Four: First Steps and Superman aren’t premiering on the same day, but perhaps SuperFantastic can be this year’s Barbenheimer and take the multiplex by storm.

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It’s been 60 years since the Fantastic Four first burst onto the Marvel Comics scene, forever changing the landscape of superhero storytelling. From their humble origins as four ordinary individuals caught in a cosmic ray accident, to their countless adventures safeguarding Earth and beyond, Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm have remained a cornerstone of the Marvel Universe. Their iconic catchphrases, their unique family dynamic, and their unwavering commitment to scientific exploration have captured generations of fans and continue to do so today. Now, as the highly anticipated The Fantastic Four: First Steps inches closer to its July 25th release, a new trailer has dropped, sending ripples of excitement and speculation throughout the fandom.

This latest glimpse into the film offers not only stunning visuals and hints at the team’s origin in their retro-futuristic version of the 1960s, but also a playful, yet significant, twist on one of the most enduring lines in comic book history – a twist that promises to redefine how these beloved characters take their very first steps in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The Shifting Sands of a Classic Catchphrase Represent a Reimagined Legacy

For decades, the phrase “It’s clobberin’ time!” has been synonymous with Ben Grimm, aka The Thing. It’s his battle cry — his declaration of readiness to face any challenge and a defiant roar before he leaps into action. This iconic line captures the essence of his power, his resilience, and his gruff but ultimately heroic nature. It’s a line so ingrained in the very fabric of the character that imagining anyone else using the phrase feels almost sacrilegious to longtime devotees of the comics. 

RELATED: MCU’s Human Torch Has a Secret Superpower that Could Be Huge for The Fantastic Four: First Steps

Yet, the Fantastic Four: First Steps trailer dares to do just that, with none other than Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn), the Human Torch, delivering the legendary line. This isn’t just a simple swap; it’s a deliberate choice that immediately raises questions about the film’s approach to established lore. Is it a playful nod to the fans, a moment of “sibling” rivalry where Johnny jokingly imitates Ben (Ebon Moss-Bachrach)? Or does it signify a deeper reinterpretation of the characters, hinting at a more fluid dynamic within the team where their signature traits are shared, borrowed, or even developed in unexpected ways? This seemingly small moment in the trailer has significant implications for how the film will establish the team’s personalities and relationships right from the outset. It could suggest a more collaborative family unit and a dedication to the trademark sarcasm that makes Johnny Storm such a fun character.

Fantastic Four: First Steps Can Craft a Fresh Story While Honoring the Original Spirit of the Comics

The decision to have Johnny say Ben’s iconic line in the First Steps trailer is a bold move that speaks volumes about the film’s intentions. It’s a clear signal that while the movie will undoubtedly honor the core essence of what makes the Fantastic Four a staple of Marvel Comics, it is not afraid to innovate and surprise its audience. This isn’t a simple retread of origin stories we’ve seen before; it’s an opportunity to re-examine the dynamics of a team that has been around for 60 years and find new facets to explore. 

Perhaps Johnny’s playful recitation of the line is a way to hammer home the familial bond between him and Ben, as well as their close relationship through shared humor and teasing. It could also be a clever way to subtly foreshadow Ben’s eventual adoption of the line as his own catchphrase, making Johnny’s earlier teasing jab a pre-echo. This twist could also be a nod to Johnny’s youthfulness and his tendency to be the first to jump into action, even before Ben has fully embraced his own identity as The Thing. 

Ultimately, this shakeup to a catchphrase that is over half a century old, while seemingly minor, could set the tone for a film that plans to evolve classic Marvel tropes while still maintaining the heart and spirit that made the Fantastic Four a beloved classic in the first place. It encourages fans to come in with an open mind, ready to experience a familiar story through a fresh lens, proving that even after six decades, there are still new stories to tell and new ways to tell them within the Marvel Universe. The Fantastic Four: First Steps trailer, with its delightful and unexpected line swap, promises fans that the upcoming journey with Marvel’s First Family will be full of surprises, charting a course that is both respectful of its past and bravely forging its own path into the future.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps hits theaters on July 25th.

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The Marvel Cinematic Universe hasn’t exactly been firing on all cylinders lately. After the release of Avengers: Endgame in 2019, the franchise has failed to find its footing again. Not every project has been a failure, with Thunderbolts* and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings being standouts that offer something new, but not much beyond that. Well, with very few cards left to play, Marvel Studios is pulling out the big guns by rebooting the franchises that Fox had for so many years. First up is The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which will formally introduce Marvel’s First Family to the MCU.

With the highly anticipated film set to release in July, the marketing is starting to ramp up. In fact, to coincide with the announcement that tickets for First Steps are now on sale, Marvel Studios released a teaser chock-full of plenty of new footage. However, while the new look at the film is exciting, it speaks to a much larger issue: it’s hard to get a grasp on what the movie is really about.

Marvel Studios Doesn’t Want to Give Anything Away About The Fantastic Four: First Steps

The first teaser for First Steps, released in February 2025, set up the retro feel of the movie before diving into the importance of family. Despite having different personalities, the Fantastic Four are a tight-knit unit, eating dinner together every Sunday and always being supportive of one another. There’s really not much more to the teaser than that, which isn’t abnormal for Marvel Studios projects, especially ones that don’t have a laundry list of movies and shows connecting to them.

But Marvel Studios couldn’t release its first 2025 movie, Thunderbolts*, without having something to play in front of it, so it dropped the first official trailer for First Steps. The advertisement begins just like its predecessor, doubling down on how much the heroes care for each other and how the public adores them, but about halfway through, it starts to get to the meat and potatoes. Silver Surfer arrives on Earth and informs the team that their planet won’t be around much longer. The trailer follows that bombshell up with some action shots before teasing Galactus’ arrival.

There’s not much to complain about in terms of visuals, and all the performances appear to be on point. However, despite the massive tease in the post-credits scene of Thunderbolts*, the Fantastic Four’s role in their own movie (and the MCU at large) is still a mystery. There’s not even a hint as to what kind of arcs the members of the team will go through – nor is there any footage of the team fighting together or any focused spotlight on the powers of Human Torch, Invisible Woman, or Mister Fantastic’s make-or-break stretching powers. Same for Galactus and Silver Surfer, who both get the briefest of moments in the trailers. It’s become conspicuous that First Steps is holding back the majority of the designs and visual effects (VFX) for its various superpowered characters, which is hard to look at as a sign of confidence or necessary secrecy.

But the same can’t be said about the movie that First Steps will be competing with at the box office this summer.

[RELATED – Fantastic Four’s Vanessa Kirby Went Full Nerd Prepping for MCU Role As Sue Storm]

Superman‘s Marketing Isn’t Afraid to Embrace Its Story

James Gunn’s Superman, which will serve as the first installment in the DC Universe on the big screen, finds itself in a situation that’s not all that different from the one First Steps is in. Both are properties that have struggled before, with Fox failing to get the Fantastic Four right on two separate occasions and Warner Bros. failing to make Superman relatable the same number of times. Fortunately, in the hands of real comics lovers, it’s a new day for Marvel’s First Family and the Man of Steel. The only big difference between the two movies right now is that Superman is putting all its cards on the table.

The trailer for Superman makes it very clear what kind of movie it’s going to be and how the titular character fits into the narrative. Still early in his career as a superhero, Clark Kent is struggling to figure out why his sense of justice doesn’t appeal to everyone. Of course, there are villains looking to knock him down a peg or two, but they aren’t the focus of any of the marketing. We see the Man of Steel in flight and in battle with other superpowered beings (Ultraman, The Engineer), as well as other heroes like the Justice Gang (Hawkgirl, Mister Terrific, Green Lantern/Guy Gardner) using their abilities during combat. Giant kaiju, sci-fi robots, and even a super-dog… Superman isn’t afraid to show off all the fantastical elements (and VFX) it’s playing with.

Superman does have the benefit of having a clean slate, but First Steps is also supposed to be its own thing, as it seemingly takes place on a Earth without the Avengers or any other major MCU heroes. If that’s really the case, hiding so much of the story feels like a foolish move, as it may send skeptics running toward a superhero movie that’s more willing to embrace its heroes.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps hits theaters on July 25th.

Are you worried about The Fantastic Four: First Steps marketing not showing much? Do you think Superman is doing a better job of appealing to fans? Let us know in the comments below!

The post Fantastic Four: First Steps Hasn’t Shown a Lot in Trailers (And I Don’t Know If That’s a Good Thing) appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Flame on! Advance tickets for The Fantastic Four: First Steps went on sale Wednesday (June 4) — and the Fab Four are already a hot ticket. According to Fandango, the nation’s largest online ticket seller, the Marvel Studios movie sold more tickets in its first day than any other film so far this year.

That means Fantastic Four surpassed such films as A Minecraft Movie, the live-action Lilo & Stitch, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, and Marvel’s own Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts* to set the record as Fandango’s best first-day ticket pre-seller of 2025. The news comes just two weeks after Fandango announced Disney’s record-breaking Lilo & Stitch had surpassed all 2025 titles in advance ticket sales at the same point in the sales cycle to become the best first-day PG-rated pre-seller and best ticket pre-seller of the year.

RELATED: The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Giant Galactus Popcorn Vessel Is “the Universe’s Biggest” (And It’s Limited)

The first Marvel-made Fantastic Four movie also out-sold first-day ticket sales for How to Train Your Dragon (which released ticket pre-orders on May 1) and Jurassic World Rebirth (tickets went on sale May 20 ahead of a July 2 release in theaters). DC Studios’ Superman, which hits theaters July 11, has yet to put tickets on sale.

Last year, Deadpool & Wolverine surpassed Dune: Part Two to become Fandango’s best ticket pre-seller of 2024. The R-rated Marvel movie went on to gross $1.33 billion at the global box office as the second highest-grossing release of the year behind Disney-Pixar’s Inside Out 2.

While Fandango doesn’t disclose the exact number of advance tickets sold, the company previously revealed that Avengers: Endgame, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour Concert Film rank among Fandango’s top-10 all-time best first-day pre-sellers.

In December, Fandango polled over 9,000 ticket buyers to reveal the Fandango Fan Picks for top 10 most anticipated movies of 2025. Captain America: Brave New World took the No. 1 spot, followed by, in order, Mission: Impossible 8, Jurassic World Rebirth, From the World of John Wick: Ballerina, Avatar: Fire and Ash, Wicked: For Good, The Accountant 2, Superman, and F1: The Movie.

When Fandango surveyed moviegoers again in March to name the 10 most anticipated 2025 summer movies, Jurassic World Rebirth was ranked No. 1, followed by Fantastic Four: First Steps, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, Superman, Thunderbolts*, From the World of John Wick: Ballerina, 28 Years Later, How to Train Your Dragon, Lilo & Stitch, and Freakier Friday. Pedro Pascal, who stars as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic in First Steps, also took second place (behind Rebirth‘s Scarlett Johansson) as the second most-anticipated new performance in 2025.

Set against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, The Fantastic Four: First Steps introduces Marvel’s First Family (Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing) as they face their most daunting challenge yet. Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, they must defend Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner). And if Galactus’ plan to devour the entire planet and everyone on it weren’t bad enough, it suddenly gets very personal.

Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps opens only in theaters on July 25.

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The Fantastic Four: First Steps star Vanessa Kirby details her preparation for playing Sue Storm in the upcoming Marvel film. Speaking with Empire as part of the magazine’s preview coverage for the summer blockbuster, the actress recalled the meeting she had with Marvel Studios before signing on for the role. Tapping into her admiration for the character, Kirby impressed people with her knowledge of Sue Storm, which is something that carried over when she was cast in First Steps. To ensure she gave the best performance possible, Kirby studied up on science and familiarized herself with the terminology.

“I’m such a Sue nerd,” Kirby said. “I think I out-nerded everyone in that room. I got so into quantum physics. It’s sad how much I got into it. I could waffle on about cellular vibration frequency.”

After making a name for herself in everything from smaller, character-driven dramas (Pieces of a Woman) to action blockbusters (the Mission: Impossible movies), Kirby is making her Marvel debut in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. The actress will be part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe for the foreseeable future, as her Sue Storm is set to appear in both Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. In First Steps, Sue is pregnant and gives birth to baby Franklin.

[RELATED – Kevin Feige Hints at Unexpected Twist to Thunderbolts’ Fantastic Four Post-Credits Scene]

Kirby is the third actress to play Sue in a Fantastic Four movie this century. One of her predecessors, Jessica Alba, shared her piece of advice after Kirby was officially cast. Alba said Kirby should “just have fun” and savor the experience, citing the great times she had on set and interacting with the fans.

Well before the First Steps casting announcements, Kirby had emerged as a popular choice to play Sue in the MCU’s Fantastic Four reboot. After seeing these comments, it’s easy to see why. She was prepared for the role from the jump, demonstrating a keen understanding of what makes the character great. Marvel’s superheroes stand out because they’re just as interesting outside of the costume as they are when they’re fighting villains. In order for The Fantastic Four: First Steps to work, audiences need to care about Reed Richards, Sue, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm as people. The level of preparation Kirby put into the role indicates she’s committed to accurately portraying all aspects of Sue so her interpretation resonates with viewers whether she’s in the middle of an action scene or trying to solve a scientific problem.

Considering how important The Fantastic Four: First Steps is to Marvel’s Multiverse Saga, getting the casting right was extremely pertinent. Based on what’s been said about the actors (see: director Matt Shakman’s explanation for why he cast Pedro Pascal as Reed) and what audiences have seen so far in First Steps marking materials, it seems like the ensemble will be one of the movie’s greatest strengths. All of the actors look to capture the spirit of their respective characters and embody their roles, which should make them impactful additions to the MCU. Going back to the Phase 1 days, Marvel has always had a keen eye for casting, and it’s great to see that hasn’t changed now.

The post Fantastic Four’s Vanessa Kirby Went Full Nerd Prepping for MCU Role As Sue Storm appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps star Pedro Pascal admits he questioned whether or not he was the right person to play Reed Richards in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Speaking with Empire as part of the magazine’s preview coverage of the upcoming blockbuster, the fan-favorite actor recalled the doubts he had before signing on to make the film. Pascal had an understanding of how well-rounded a character Reed Richards is, and knew any actor portraying him would need to display a variety of traits. As he was discussing the possibility of taking on the role with a friend, Pascal had a chance encounter with Fantastic Four director Matt Shakman and Shakman’s daughter, who was selling lemonade. Pascal figured “it was destiny” after that.

“I wasn’t sceptical at all of this as a piece,” Pascal said, expressing his enthusiasm for the film. “But I was skeptical over [Shakman’s] choice to cast me. I was questioning if I would serve it as best as it was meant to be served — to be convincing as an astrophysicist, as a father, a husband.”

Funnily enough, Shakman cast Pascal as Reed Richards specifically because he felt Pascal could convincingly portray all of the character’s layers. When discussing his casting process, Shakman explained he wanted to find an actor “who could contain multitudes” since Reed is a brilliant scientist, a loving family man, and an action hero all in one. That line of thinking led him to Pascal, who’s demonstrated a strong range throughout his career.

[RELATED – Marvel Finally Reveals First Look at the MCU’s New Most Powerful Character]

After making his MCU debut in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Pascal will play a significant role in the franchise moving forward. He is set to reprise Reed Richards in both Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, which serve as the conclusion to the MCU’s Multiverse Saga.

Pascal’s comments provide insight into how he looks at potential projects for him to star in. He’s spoken in the past about how he found The Fantastic Four: First Steps to be an intimidating prospect, even after appearing in high-profile titles like The Mandalorian and The Last of Us. Knowing how anticipated the film is among MCU fans and how important it is to the franchise’s larger plans, Pascal had a firm grasp on its magnitude and wanted to make sure he could do the film justice. There was no shortage of talented actors rumored to be in the running for Reed, so Pascal beat out some tough competition. It’s encouraging that he still took his time to evaluate everything before signing on, an indication that he takes the role very seriously and did everything he could to ensure he delivers a captivating performance.

Early looks at The Fantastic Four: First Steps indicate Shakman’s feelings about Pascal were right. The glimpses at Reed in trailers and TV spots check a lot of the boxes the director was looking for, portraying the character as a dedicated husband and hero who will do his best to protect people. That bodes well for Pascal’s performance in the finished film, and hopefully he will be another memorable addition to the MCU.

The post Fantastic Four’s Pedro Pascal Admits He Questioned His Own MCU Casting appeared first on ComicBook.com.

The cast and crew of The Fantastic Four: First Steps had to achieve a family dynamic quickly, and thankfully, star Joseph Quinn had already made a strong first impression on director Matt Shakman. The actor appeared in Game of Thrones Season 7, Episode 4, “The Spoils of War,” which was directed by Shakman. Quinn played a Winterfell guardsman on watch when Arya Stark (Maisie Williams) finally made it back home. They reminisced about that first experience working together in a new interview with Empire Magazine, and how it set them up to get closer on First Steps. Although Quinn only had one line, Shakman said that he was “impressed.”

Quinn played a guard named Koner in “The Spoils of War,” and when Arya arrived at the gate after being presumed dead for years, he told her to “f-ck off.” In the Empire cover story, Quinn recalled, “I did a kind of cough and a spit.” However, Shakman wasn’t content to let him downplay his talent.

“I was impressed by him, and thought, ‘Someday I’ll work with him again,'” the director said. “I was interested in a Johnny Storm who was more than just a ladies’ man and adrenaline junkie. I was looking for somebody who could be a dreamer. And I think Joe is an incredibly alive, spontaneous actor.”

[RELATED: 5 Joseph Quinn Roles That Prove He Is One to Watch]

While it’s true that Quinn had a relatively small role with just one line on Game of Thrones, it was an important moment that couldn’t trusted to just any actor or extra. Shakman seemed to understand that, and it was clearly enough to hold his interest on Quinn for years to come. Arya’s homecoming was a long-awaited climax, and it’s remembered fondly even by the show’s critics. Quinn managed to embody all the people of the North with his brusque dismissal followed by his horror at his own mistake.

By now, Quinn has enough bigger roles to his name that most fans probably don’t even remember he was on Game of Thrones. He is best known for playing Eddie Munson on Stranger Things, and last year he played one of the lead characters in A Quiet Place: Day One as well as Emperor Geta in Gladiator II. At 30 years old, he’s primed for a major role in the MCU like Johnny Storm, The Human Torch.

As Shakman alluded to, there’s more to Johnny Storm than we have seen on the big screen in the past two Fantastic Four movies, where he was played by Chris Evans. It’s true that Johnny is often depicted as cocky and headstrong in comics, there is much more nuance to his personality that has emerged over the years. It’s exciting to hear that both Quinn and Shakman intend to deepen his characterization in this movie. If nothing else, it’s a sign that he will have a deeper role to play in the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps hits theaters on July 25th in the U.S.

The post Joseph Quinn Quickly Impressed Matt Shakman by Telling Arya Stark to F-ck Off appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Despite appearing like a movie with little stakes, Thunderbolts* has a lot going on. Not only does the titular team have to save New York City from The Void’s rampage, but they also have to deal with their own demons. However, the biggest surprise comes toward the end of the movie, when Valentina Allegra de Fontaine announces to the press that she’s finally ready to reveal the New Avengers to the world. While the members of the team are caught off guard, they take to their new roles quickly, finally embracing their heroic sides after years of suppressing them. In fact, they’re so on top of their game that they’re ready when a mysterious ship arrives in Earth’s atmosphere in the Thunderbolts* post-credits scene.

Yelena Belova and Co. learn that the ship isn’t from their universe, so they’re immediately on edge. Adding to their confusion is the logo on the vehicle, a number 4, which doesn’t mean anything to the New Avengers but does to the audience. The post-credits scene seemingly marks the Fantastic Four’s first appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige doesn’t want anyone to jump to conclusions.

After the excitement surrounding the post-credits scene died down, frustration grew in its place. Fans believed that Thunderbolts* spoiled the end of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, revealing that Galactus destroyed the Earth that Marvel’s First Family calls home and sent them out into the multiverse to seek help. Feige has another theory, though, one that posits that the ship at the end of Thunderbolts* may not be the same one that appears in First Steps.

While speaking to Empire for its July 2025 magazine issue, Feige was asked for his take on the connection between the two 2025 MCU movies, specifically whether the Excelsior, the ship the Fantastic Four own in First Steps, is already in the Sacred Timeline. “The name of their ship is the Excelsior, and there is a Fantastic Four ship entering the MCU in the tag,” he said. “But I’m not sure they’re the same ship.”

Since Thunderbolts* doesn’t show the occupants of the ship, Feige is able to play coy for the time being. However, by the time First Steps comes out in July, all of his cards will need to be on the table.

[RELATED – Marvel’s New Avengers Spoilers Defended by Disney Exec After Aggressive Thunderbolts* Marketing]

Marvel Studios Can’t Hide the Fantastic Four Forever

While there’s a slim chance that variants of the Fantastic Four are on the ship making a beeline toward Earth in Thunderbolts*, the more likely scenario is that Marvel Studios isn’t ready to show the state the heroes are in just yet. After all, they’re preparing to go up against Galactus, the Devourer of Worlds, which is no small feat. There could be major character moments in the movie that affect the titular team deeply. Fortunately, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel because the entire Fantastic Four is set to appear in Avengers: Doomsday.

Without knowing how the events of First Steps play out, it’s difficult to determine just how significant a role the group will have in the MCU’s next team-up movie. It’s safe to assume they’re not going to be standing in the background the whole time, though, as their arch-enemy from the pages of Marvel Comics, Doctor Doom, is going to be Doomsday‘s villain.

First Steps director Matt Shakman claims that Doom is not part of his movie, meaning it may be up to Doomsday to set up the rivalry. But Thunderbolts* director Jake Schreier likely thought the Fantastic Four weren’t part of his project at one point. It’s just hard to take anyone working for Marvel Studios at their word these days.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps hits theaters on July 25, 2025.

Do you think the ships in Thunderbolts* and The Fantastic Four: First Steps are the same one? What do you think will happen in the MCU’s next movie? Let us know in the comments below!

The post Kevin Feige Hints at Unexpected Twist to Thunderbolts’ Fantastic Four Post-Credits Scene appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Ahead of the premiere of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Marvel may have just revealed one of Johnny Storm’s secret superpowers as the Human Torch. Joseph Quinn is set to make his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut as Johnny Storm in First Steps, alongside Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as the other members of the titular superhero team. While Johnny’s primary powers, including fire-generation and flight, are well-known, Marvel just revealed the Human Torch can also absorb explosive energy into his body, which could be game-changing for the MCU.

Marvel Studios used its recent collaboration with beverage brand Snapple to reveal more about the individual members of the Fantastic Four. In the character description for Johnny Storm’s Human Torch (via Fantastic Four Updates), Marvel suggest that “Johnny can burst into flames, fly thousands of feet into the sky, and absorb explosions into his body, all without breaking a sweat.” Live-action iterations of the Human Torch haven’t really focused on his energy absorption powers before, so this will be a huge change for the MCU that could prove helpful in the fight against Galactus.

Johnny Storm is the youngest and most popular member of the Fantastic Four. His cheeky persona is captivating, though, thankfully, Marvel Studios will seemingly be removing the character’s more problematic traits. Beyond his humanity, however, Johnny Storm is also perhaps the most physically varied and powerful member of the Fantastic Four, being able to control and manipulate fire and heat at will, and being able to absorb explosions adds to this significance.

During The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Marvel’s First Family will go toe-to-toe with Shalla-Bal’s Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) and the plant-eater Galactus (Ralph Ineson). This duo will be posing a monumental threat to the alternate universe Earth of First Steps, surely causing explosion after explosion, perhaps even destroying the entire world. The reveal that Johnny Storm can absorb explosions into his body, however, could create an opportunity for the Fantastic Four to beat Galactus and his Herald. He’ll be able to protect not only himself, but other people, too, taking the damage on himself instead of inflicting it on others.

RELATED: New Fantastic Four: First Steps Poster Pays Tribute to Stan Lee (With a Hulk Easter Egg)

Following controversial and lackluster portrayals in 2005’s Fantastic Four, its 2007 sequel, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, and 2015’s Fantastic Four reboot, it’s incredibly exciting that Johnny Storm is finally joining the MCU in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Alongside Reed Richards’ Mister Fantastic, Sue Storm’s Invisible Woman, and Ben Grimm’s Thing, Johnny will surely get the chance to show off superpowers we’ve never seen on-screen before. This could help him save the world from Galactus and the Silver Surfer, but could also change the power dynamics of the MCU as a whole.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is scheduled to release on July 25, 2025, as part of the MCU’s Phase 6.

Are you excited to see Joseph Quinn in action as Johnny Storm’s Human Torch? Let us know in the comments!

The post MCU’s Human Torch Has a Secret Superpower that Could Be Huge for The Fantastic Four: First Steps appeared first on ComicBook.com.

It’s collectin’ time. Advance tickets for The Fantastic Four: First Steps (in theaters July 25) went on sale on Wednesday at most major theater chains, but only AMC Theatres has the “universe’s biggest popcorn vessel” befitting an Eater-of-Worlds. AMC announced that its giant Galactus popcorn vessel — which measures 17.5 inches tall and 20 inches wide, far larger than the average concession collectible — will go on sale July 24. True believers can also add H.E.R.B.I.E., the Fantastic Four’s robot sidekick, to their family of collectibles with a concession vessel that can hold a large popcorn, a large drink, and a box of candy, with storage spaces for all three items.

According to AMC, there will be limited stock of the giant-sized Fantastic Four: First Steps popcorn vessel bearing the likeness of Galactus actor Ralph Ineson. Hungering for more? The exhibitor also unveiled the four new Coca Cola Freestyle flavors exclusive to AMC’s theaters: Orange Rock Punch (with Fanta orange soda), Stretch Blend (with Barq’s root beer), Invisible Force Fizz (a Sprite blend), and Ginger Cherry Blaze (a Seagram’s ginger ale cherry mix).

RELATED: New Fantastic Four: First Steps Poster Pays Tribute to Stan Lee (With a Hulk Easter Egg)

Fans who attend The Fantastic Four: First Steps IMAX opening night fan event at AMC on July 24 will receive a collectible Fantastic 4 logo keychain with ticket purchase, available at select locations while supplies last.

In addition to the H.E.R.B.I.E. and Galactus vessels, fans will find Fantastic Four-themed totem cups, a set of four limited-edition cup character toppers, and retro popcorn tins at AMC theaters. Get the first look at the collectible concession merch below.

Here’s the logline: “Set against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps introduces Marvel’s First Family — Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm/Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm/Human Torch (Joseph Quinn) and Ben Grimm/The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) — as they face their most daunting challenge yet.”

“Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, they must defend Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner),” the logline continues. “And if Galactus’ plan to devour the entire planet and everyone on it weren’t bad enough, it suddenly gets very personal.”

Also making their MCU debuts in currently undisclosed roles are Paul Walter Hauser (Inside Out 2), John Malkovich (Space Force), Natasha Lyonne (Poker Face), and Sarah Niles (F1: The Movie). The Fantastic Four: First Steps opens only in theaters on July 25.

The post The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Giant Galactus Popcorn Vessel Is “the Universe’s Biggest” (And It’s Limited) appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Doctor Doom will be the main attraction in next year’s Avengers: Doomsday, but will Marvel fans have an opportunity to see him before then? It doesn’t seem like they will. Speaking with Empire (via Total Film), The Fantastic Four: First Steps director Matt Shakman was asked if Doom will be featured in his upcoming film. While the villain is commonly associated with Marvel’s First Family, it sounds like the Fantastic Four will only have to deal with Galactus and the Silver Surfer in their movie. According to Shakman, Doctor Doom does not factor into First Steps.

“Doom is not a part of my film, and therefore not a part of my purview,” he said.

After Marvel Studios pivoted away from the Kang the Conqueror storyline, Robert Downey Jr. was cast as Doctor Doom, becoming the new big bad in the Multiverse Saga. Shortly after that surprising reveal, there was speculation that prior to Avengers: Doomsday, Downey would make his MCU return in the Fantastic Four: First Steps post-credits scene.

[RELATED – The Fantastic Four: First Steps Is More Important for the MCU Than You Realize]

Doctor Doom will cross paths with the Fantastic Four in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as First Steps stars Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach are set to reprise their roles in both Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. Disney/Marvel is currently in the midst of a big marketing push for First Steps, building excitement for the characters’ arrival in the MCU. Tickets for the film are now on sale.

Marvel is renowned for its high levels of secrecy, so there is a possibility Shakman is being coy in an attempt to maintain one of First Steps‘ biggest surprises. With over a month to go until the film’s release, the director wouldn’t want to spoil a moment as massive as the debut of Downey’s Doom. If he is telling the truth, it’s arguably for the best he’s addressing this matter now. It gives audiences time to adjust their expectations for First Steps. Now, no one should go into the movie expecting to see Doom. If Shakman is playing coy, then Doom’s arrival will be a pleasant surprise. If he’s being honest, there’s no reason for viewers to be disappointed.

Even if Downey doesn’t show up in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, the film will probably have some sort of Doomsday tease to set up the Fantastic Four’s next appearance. Perhaps we’ll get to see the flip side of the Thunderbolts* post-credits scene, watching the team’s journey to Earth-616 from their perspective before they encounter the New Avengers. A First Steps post-credits scene could also allude to the threat of Doctor Doom without actually showing the villain on screen. It’ll be interesting to see how Shakman’s film tackles this classic Marvel staple.

The post Is Doctor Doom In Fantastic Four: First Steps? Director Gives Answer on MCU Villain’s Role appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Marvel Studios loves to keep its cards close to the vest when it comes to marketing. In some instances, such as the trailer for Avengers: Infinity War, which features a shot of a bunch of heroes, including Hulk, running in Wakanda, moments end up on the cutting room floor. Other times, the powers that be remove and add characters to scenes and moments that they aren’t in during the marketing phase. Thunderbolts* is a great example because Taskmaster appears in various posters and trailer shots despite having a very limited role in the movie. However, the next MCU movie, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, is doing things its own way.

The trailers haven’t revealed too much about the upcoming movie outside of the fact that the public loves the Fantastic Four and Galactus is coming to devour the Earth. One plot point that the marketing has been teasing, though, is that Susan Storm is pregnant. Well, with tickets finally on sale for the movie, Marvel is done beating around the bush, revealing the first look at what may just be the MCU’s newest most powerful character.

To announce that fans can now reserve their seats for First Steps showings in July, Marvel released a short teaser featuring plenty of new footage. The Thing is driving the Fantasti-Car, Human Torch is dropping one of his teammates’ iconic catchphrases, and Silver Surfer finds herself in the middle of the action. But the most interesting shot is of Susan and Reed Richards in bed with a baby.

It’s safe to assume that the child that Mister Fantastic and Invisible Woman are looking after is Franklin Richards, a powerful character in the pages of Marvel Comics. He’s probably going to need some time to gain control of his abilities, but when he does, the MCU will never be the same.

[RELATED – Fantastic Four: First Steps Cast a Rock Named Jennifer as The Thing (Yes, Really)]

Very Few Characters Will Be Able to Challenge Franklin Richards in the MCU

Due to his parents being exposed to cosmic rays, Franklin is born with incredible gifts. He can make use of telepathy, telekinesis, and even astral projection. However, his calling card is reality warping, which allows him to make just about anything he wants out of thin air. A being of limitless potential, Franklin finds himself on the radar of some pretty powerful characters in the comics, including Celestials, Eternity, and First Steps‘ villain, Galactus.

The trailers for First Steps reveal that Reed believes his work is what causes the Devourer of Worlds to set his sights on Earth. However, there’s a decent chance that Galactus sends the Silver Surfer to the Fantastic Four’s home world because he senses the presence of a new challenger, one that could put him on a diet by stopping him from eating planets. Until First Steps hits theaters, that’s all speculation, but no matter what Galactus’ motivations are, Franklin isn’t going to be a small part of the action.

With the Fantastic Four set to play a major role in Avengers: Doomsday, Franklin is sure to join his family and travel to the Sacred Timeline. He’s not going to be much help as a baby, but the MCU has messed around with aging technology before, such as the fiasco with Scott Lang in Avengers: Endgame. That gives Marvel Studios the option to have its most powerful character come into his own before enough time has passed in-universe to turn him into a full-fledged hero.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps hits theaters on July 25, 2025.

Are you glad to finally get a good look at Franklin Richards in The Fantastic Four: First Steps? How big of a role do you think he will have in the movie? Let us know in the comments below!

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The Fantastic Four: First Steps marketing blitz continues with the release of a new trailer as tickets go on sale. The short preview, which you can watch in the space above, underscores the film’s primary theme of family as the titular team works together to protect their home from the threat of Galactus and the Silver Surfer. Viewers are treated to a series of high-octane out of context action shots, such as the Fantasti-Car taking flight in New York City and Johnny Storm chasing after the Silver Surfer. This new trailer also teases the scale and scope of Galactus.

Similar to other marketing materials, Marvel used this opportunity to highlight the chemistry of the Fantastic Four: First Steps cast. The final bit featuring Johnny and Reed Richards feels like a classic bit of Marvel levity, highlighting what makes their characters so great. Just in the short clip, it’s clear these two should have an amusing dynamic in the full film.

The first film of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Phase 6, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set to premiere in July. It is an integral part of the Multiverse Saga moving forward, introducing characters who will appear in both Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars in the coming years. Understanding the magnitude of the project, Marvel has hosted test screenings for First Steps, risking details leaking ahead of time so the studio can get valuable feedback of how audiences are responding to the film.

[RELATED – MCU Fantastic Four Could Redeem Kevin Feige for Past FF Movie Mistakes (& It’s About Time)]

Anticipation is high for The Fantastic Four: First Steps. When the movie’s first trailer was released back in February, it accumulated 202 million views in its first 24 hours. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige views the film as an opportunity to finally do the beloved characters justice after two previous film series that fizzled out.

With tickets now available, it’ll be interesting to see how The Fantastic Four: First Steps fares with pre-sales and at the box office. This July sees the release of several other high-profile titles, including Jurassic World Rebirth and Superman. While filmmakers maintain there’s plenty of room for all movies at the multiplex, First Steps is still facing stiff competition. Marvel has had an uneven year at the box office so far, with Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts* both struggling to make much of an impact (by MCU standards). As the franchise looks to build momentum heading into Avengers: Doomsday, it would go a long way if Fantastic Four was a massive hit.

Fans will get a better idea of how The Fantastic Four: First Steps might perform once word of mouth starts coming in, but the early returns based on the marketing materials seem promising. First Steps looks to blend the action, heart, and humor that made earlier Marvel movies so memorable, so if the reviews are positive, then it should be in great shape from a box office perspective. After the ups and downs of Phases 4 and 5, Fantastic Four might be the perfect project to get Phase 6 off on the right foot and set the Multiverse Saga up for its epic conclusion.

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There may not be a Stan Lee cameo in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, but the late co-creator is still part of the Marvel family. Marvel Studios has announced that tickets for the Matt Shakman-directed adaptation of Lee and Jack Kirby’s classic comic book run go on sale Wednesday (June 4) with a new poster, which not only spotlights Marvel’s First Family — Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm/Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm/the Human Torch (Joseph Quinn), and Ben Grimm/The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) — but includes a nod to another Lee-Kirby co-creation of the 1960s: The Hulk.

Hidden among the retro-futuristic version of ’60s New York is a billboard for Stanley’s, which appears to be a deli in this alternate Marvel Cinematic Universe. It’s also a nod to 2008’s The Incredible Hulk, which paid homage to Lee with Stanley’s Pizza Parlor.

RELATED: The Fantastic Four: First Steps Debuts New Clip With a Jack Kirby Easter Egg

The Virginia-based pizzeria owned and operated by Stanley “Stan” Markowitz Lieber (Paul Soles) — a character named after Lee’s birth name, Stanley Martin Lieber — is where the fugitive Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) hid out before being reunited with Betty Ross (Liv Tyler) in the main MCU.

Marvel Easter Eggs in The Fantastic Four: First Steps

Trailers for The Fantastic Four: First Steps revealed a Stanley’s Service Center located on Yancy Street, the home turf of Ben Grimm, which can be glimpsed when the Thing hoists a Volkswagen Beetle over his head. Located next to that is Kirby’s Electrical Supplies, an apparent reference to the legendary artist’s penchant for depicting futuristic technology in everything from Fantastic Four, Strange Tales, and Machine Man to DC’s New Gods. Last but not least, true believers know the Fantastic Four’s space ship, the Excelsior, is named after Lee’s famous catchphrase.

Other retail-related Easter eggs that can be spotted in the film’s trailers include Westview Appliances — named after the New Jersey town where Avengers Scarlet Witch and Vision lived in WandaVision, the Disney+ series directed by Shakman — and an office for Timely Comics. The predecessor of Fantastic Four publisher Marvel Comics, Timely introduced such characters as Namor the Sub-Mariner and Jim Hammond, the original Human Torch.

Lee’s final traditional cameo was a posthumous appearance in Avengers: Endgame in 2019. Marvel most recently paid tribute to Lee in 2024’s Deadpool & Wolverine, where he could be seen very briefly on a bus advertisement for Stanlee Steamer, AKA “Your friendly neighborhood cleaners” since 1922 (Lee’s birth year).

The Fantastic Four: First Steps — which stars Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Natasha Lyonne, Sarah Niles, with Julia Garner as the Silver Surfer and Ralph Ineson as Galactus — opens only in theaters July 25.

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Bringing a CG character to life in a blockbuster movie is a complex process, and the filmmakers behind The Fantastic Four: First Steps went the extra mile for creating The Thing. While Ebon Moss-Bachrach headlines the film as Ben Grimm, he wasn’t the only one who helped realize Thing’s role in First Steps. According to Empire, there was also a stand-in actor who wore “a practical costume” to give the visual effects team another reference to draw from. Additionally, director Matt Shakman used an actual rock the crew dubbed “Jennifer” on set to play The Thing. In an interview with Empire, Shakman explained why this was necessary.

“We went out to the desert and found a rock that looked exactly how we thought The Thing should look,” Shakman said. “And we filmed it in every single shot that The Thing appears in in the movie, under every lighting environment.”

Over the past two decades, filmmakers have used different techniques to portray The Thing in Fantastic Four movies. In the film from 2005, Michael Chiklis wore makeup and prosthetics. The methods used in the 2015 Fantastic Four reboot were more similar to what Shakman did on First Steps. Jamie Bell portrayed The Thing via motion capture. During production on First Steps, Moss-Bachrach wore performance capture gear.

[RELATED – Why Fantastic Four: First Steps Cast Pedro Pascal as Reed (& It Makes Sense)]

Shakman’s approach could help lay the foundation for The Thing’s future Marvel Cinematic Universe appearances. Moss-Bachrach is reprising the role in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. It’s unknown if there will be a Fantastic Four sequel at some point, but if First Steps is a hit, Marvel will likely want to keep the characters around.

Some might find it silly Shakman went so far as to have a physical rock on set with the crew, but it was probably an invaluable asset for his team. A massive part of making visual effects look photorealistic on screen is ensuring the lighting is handled properly. By shooting practical elements like a stand-in wearing a costume and an actual rock, the hard-working First Steps VFX department had great resources to pull from when animating The Thing. They were able to get an idea of what the character was supposed to look like in certain environments and then could match that lighting to the special effects shots. If this isn’t done correctly, audiences will notice something is off, and that could impact how they view the film.

Based on the early looks at The Fantastic Four: First Steps, it seems like Shakman’s strategy paid off. While The Thing is obviously a CG character, he looks very natural in every scene he’s in from the trailers and TV spots. Marvel has a lot riding on First Steps, which is Kevin Feige’s shot at doing the legendary characters justice. For that reason, every conceivable detail needed to be on point, and it’s nice to know Shakman was willing to go outside the box to help make First Steps the best film possible.

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A scene from The Fantastic Four: First Steps that screened during CCXP in Mexico this past weekend might have confirmed one of the more tragic Marvel Cinematic Universe theories. In the sequence (hat tip Inverse, translating Omelete), the Fantastic Four are said to be escaping “a planet that seems to have been consumed (or is being consumed) by Galactus.” With the Silver Surfer in pursuit of their ship, the Fantastic Four attempt to get away. As this is happening, Sue Storm goes into labor. While Johnny Storm tries to fend the Silver Surfer off, Reed Richards helps Sue with the baby delivery. The sequence ends with Ben Grimm piloting the Fantastic Four’s ship through a black hole.

The detail that this action set piece takes place on a planet that’s in the midst of being destroyed could lend credence to an MCU theory that gained traction in the wake of the Thunderbolts* post-credits scene. Some believe that in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, the titular team is unsuccessful in protecting their world from Galactus, which forces them to find a new home. They travel to Earth-616, as seen in the Thunderbolts* stinger.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is not set in the MCU’s Sacred Timeline. The film takes place in an alternate, 1960s-inspired retro-futuristic reality where the Fantastic Four are the only superheroes around. Marvel’s First Family will be a significant part of the Multiverse Saga moving forward, as it’s been confirmed that First Steps stars Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach will reprise their roles in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars.

[RELATED – Vanessa Kirby Teases Fantastic Four Baby’s Superpowers (& They’re More Powerful Than the Parents)]

With a little over a month to go until First Steps hits theaters, Disney/Marvel have been putting together a big marketing push, revealing certain details about the film (such as the MCU debut of villain Mole Man) to generate excitement. Trailers and TV spots have underscored the main cast’s chemistry together, selling audiences on the team dynamic that runs throughout the movie.

It’s easy to see how this scene could support the theories that spawned after Thunderbolts* Galactus is the main villain of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and we know from the trailers he has marked Earth as one of his targets. It would not be a surprising development if the Devourer of Worlds caused mass destruction on Earth, forcing the Fantastic Four to admit defeat and move on to a different reality. However, that would be quite a bleak conclusion for a summer blockbuster. Marvel hasn’t been afraid to tell tragic stories before (see: Avengers: Infinity War), but the safer money would be on First Steps having a happier ending and something other than their home being annihilated is what brings the Fantastic Four to Earth-616.

Since this is a clip Marvel was comfortable enough showing at a fan convention, it might take place more in the middle of the movie. Perhaps after learning Galactus has marked Earth for death, the Fantastic Four attempt to stop him before he even arrives on Earth. Someone as intelligent as Reed could find a way to track Galactus and/or Silver Surfer, and the Fantastic Four try to save a different world. In this case, the scene would be an illustration of Galactus’ might and highlight what the heroes are up against, a down point in the second act before the heroes experience a triumphant victory over a powerful enemy.

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James Gunn is not worried about his movie Superman competing with The Fantastic Four: First Steps at the box office next month. Both superhero movies come out in July, and while some fans regard the two franchises as opposite sides in a rivalry, Gunn thinks that it’s just for show. When asked about the potential competition by a fan on Threads, he replied that he thinks there is room for both movies to thrive at once. His only practical remark was that the release dates are staggered by two weeks — Superman on July 11th and First Steps on July 25th.

“They come out two weeks after us – there’s room for us both!” Gunn wrote on Threads. “I love my friends at Marvel. You can find whatever discussions you’d want to find online. I’d focus on all the positivity around the films instead of getting sucked up in online fan wars.”

Gunn is well-placed to bridge any gap that may exist between Fans of the new DC Universe and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, though many commenters agreed that there really isn’t such a divide in the first place. Most fans of comic books and superheroes have some amount of love for both Marvel and DC, and are interested in seeing both of them succeed. From fans’ perspective, July is simply a chance for gluttony, not a difficult choice between two rivals.

[RELATED: Superman Reportedly Gets These Last-Minute Changes After Test Screenings (& They May Be For the Better)]

Gunn embodies that mindset — he was the director of three beloved MCU movies, and is now the co-CEO of DC Studios and director of the DCU’s first big screen outing. Gunn has also helped mastermind the whole franchise, as the creator of Creature Commandos and showrunner of Peacemaker as well. He is often compared to the MCU’s producer Kevin Feige.

It’s exciting enough to have a DCU and MCU movie in theaters at the same time, but it seems particularly auspicious for these two titles. Superman kicks off the franchise and introduces a huge cast of new characters, opening up this version of DC on the big screen for the very first time. Meanwhile, First Steps takes us to a completely alternate dimension with no familiar characters or decades-old lore to keep track of. It finally brings Marvel’s first superhero team home to the MCU, and will presumably set off the big climax to this Multiverse Saga.

Tickets for both movies are available for pre-order now, and even if they have a preference, most fans will probably get out to see both of them in July. Superman premieres on July 11th, followed by The Fantastic Four: First Steps on July 25th.

The post James Gunn Comments on Superman vs. Fantastic Four Box Office Rivalry appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Actor Joseph Quinn just confirmed that the legendary Marvel Comics character Mole Man will appear in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. He mentioned the news at the CCXP convention in Mexico this weekend, and videos from the event quickly circulated on social media. It wasn’t entirely clear if Quinn was supposed to share this news at this point, or if it was a slip of the tongue. Either way, fans are now hard at work speculating about Mole Man’s role in this movie and his future in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. So far, Marvel hasn’t even officially confirmed Quinn’s revelation.

“Certainly, a very stacked cast we have a lot of fantastic characters in there,” Quinn said before a cheering crowd this weekend. “There is also Mole Man, who’s wonderful in it, but Galactus is the big bad.” Fans have been theorizing that Mole Man will appear in this movie, and many figured that Quinn casually confirmed the theory because it was already so widespread online. We still don’t know who’s playing the villain, but the leading theory is Paul Walter Hauser, who is on the cast list in an undisclosed role.

Mole Man first appeared in Fantastic Four #1 in 1961, making him one of the oldest villains in the Marvel pantheon. Rejected from society at every turn, Harvey Elder became a bitter scientist with wanderlust, seeking after legends of a utopian world underground. He eventually found his way into the hollow earth through Monster Isle, and used to the advanced technology and powerful monsters he found there to seek vengeance on the surface world.

[RELATED: The Fantastic Four: First Steps Is More Important for the MCU Than You Realize]

Mole Man is generally treated as a silly side character by Marvel these days, and that’s probably how we should expect him to appear in First Steps. He may serve to provide an action scene in the very beginning, establishing our heroes and the place they serve in this world. With Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and the Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) on the scene, there won’t be much room for hollow earth lore in this movie.

On top of that, First Steps has the difficult task of connecting its story to the rest of the MCU, and raising the stakes on the Multiverse Saga. This movie takes place in an alternate reality, but we know it will crossover with the main continuity by the time of Avengers: Doomsday next year. There are a lot of questions to answer, and not a lot of time for side quests.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps hits theaters on July 25th. The MCU’s next release is Ironheart, premiering on Disney+ on June 24th.

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The Fantastic Four: First Steps will finally introduce the titular superteam to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and their first big hurdle is Galactus. The Devourer of Worlds predates the current Marvel Universe and the Big Bang, and now he’s primed for an MCU debut against Marvel’s First Family. He’ll be the main baddie in the film, but not the only one to get some spotlight. He is also rumored to demonstrate the extent of his powers before the end credits roll, possibly spelling doom for the Fantastic Four’s home. We won’t know the truth until the movie hits theaters later this summer, but his inclusion did get the old mental faculties fired up for some theorizing.

Galactus has been a threat to the Fantastic Four since his debut in 1966, existing as a villain and a force of nature that requires feeding on planets for survival. The Witch star Ralph Ineson will portray the cosmic deity in his classic form, but we could see the MCU draw inspiration from another Galactus story that may have already hinted how Fantastic Four: First Steps will defeat the cosmic threat. Does this eventually lead to what is witnessed in the closing credits of Thunderbolts* or will it play out differently?

Ultimate Galactus

Marvel’s Ultimate line featured two separate versions of Galactus in its history, with the original Ultimate version debuting as part of the Ultimate Galactus trilogy. That version, a hive-mind of robotic drones named Gah Lak Tus, was built by the Kree to cleanse the universe but escaped control. The heroes would defeat this threat using a superweapon that co-opts Negative Zone energy to create a mini Big Bang. The robotic drones would later fuse with the original Galactus from Marvel’s 616 universe after he arrives ahead of Cataclysm: The Ultimates Last Stand and Hunger mini-series. While the Ultimate Marvel heroes were able to defeat their version of Gah Lak Tus, the original proved to be more than they could handle.

[RELATED – 5 Things Fantastic Four: First Steps Has to Get Right]

After a tear in the universe resulting from the Age of Ultron storyline sends Galactus to the Ultimate Universe, he fuses with the Gah Lak Tus swarm and destroys the Kree and Chitauri, killing Mar-Vell, and only loses after the swarm is separated from his body. This battle weakens Galactus enough that he needs to feed to heal up, sending him to Earth.

Cataclysm: The Ultimates Last Stand

The reality of Galactus’ power is demonstrated after his arrival on Earth, working immediately to build his planet-eating machines and showing no weaknesses against the Ultimate heroes. They’re forced to tap their evil version of Reed Richards, The Maker, to discover a solution and save their Earth.

Richards and Miles Morales end up traveling to the 616-Marvel Universe to learn how Galactus was initially defeated, leading The Maker and the Ultimates to craft a plan to trap the cosmic threat in the Negative Zone and starve him. Thor ends up sacrificing himself to ensure the Earth’s survival, while Galactus eventually returns to the main Marvel Universe following Secret Wars.

So Where Does First Steps Come In?

While this plan isn’t a perfect fit for what could potentially happen on the big screen with the Fantastic Four. What we know for sure at this point is that Galactus is the villain in the movie, with rumors indicating that Franklin Richards will play a part and the team will manage to either defeat the World Eater or survive their encounter for another showdown. Franklin Richards’ powers tempt Galactus due to his desire to revive his own dead reality from before the Big Bang. This also plays in with a rumor from Kevin Feige that this version of Galactus is the same across the multiverse, like America Chavez in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

Galactus is likely to survive the First Steps encounter, possibly setting up a big part to play in Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars. It also means Franklin Richards will be established as a powerful being at birth, which should play out in the film. Fantastic Four: First Steps also takes place on an alternate Earth from the main MCU, so it could be sacrificed and destroyed in the end. That’s always possible and would have weight due to the Incursions between realities. Could the Fantastic Four, the only heroes on this retro futuristic version of Earth, resort to the Negative Zone like The Ultimates? Rumors are also teasing that the Fantastic Four’s special realm plays a role in how they achieve their powers. If it exists, using it as a way to safely defeat Galactus would be special and tie plot points together.

A return to the Negative Zone could also play a part in the entrance of the team into the main MCU sacred timeline in Avengers: Doomsday. There’s probably a can of worms we could open here, throwing in Doctor Doom and revealing the genesis of his plans for Doomsday and Secret Wars.

Fantastic Four: First Steps will hit theaters on July 25, so we won’t have to wait long for the answers. At the very least, we’re getting a comic-accurate Galactus on the big screen and a Fantastic Four movie that might not go down as a mistake. Whatever happens, those are pretty good things to see in the film.

Will Galactus be beaten in Fantastic Four: First Steps? Could we see him causing trouble in Avengers: Doomsday? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

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The Fantastic Four: First Steps director Matt Shakman explains why Pedro Pascal was cast to play Reed Richards. Speaking with Empire for the magazine’s preview coverage of the upcoming Marvel blockbuster, the filmmaker discussed the wide range of traits and layers that go into crafting a character like Reed. Because Reed is such a well-rounded figure, Shakman knew if was a necessity to find an actor who could bring all of those facets to life in a compelling way. The director was confident that Pascal had the range to showcase the many sides of Mr. Fantastic.

“I was looking for an actor who could contain multitudes,” Shakman said. “There’s the very cerebral Reed Richards, and then there’s the action hero, the leader, the husband, the father, the friend. I knew Pedro could do all of that.”

Prior to Pascal being cast in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, there was no shortage of rumors about who could play Reed Richards in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. At various points, there was speculation that Adam Driver was in the running, and some fans hoped John Krasinski would reprise his cameo role from Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Pascal and the rest of the main First Steps cast were officially confirmed in February 2024.

[RELATED – The Fantastic Four: First Steps Is More Important for the MCU Than You Realize]

Though he’s been part of major projects like Game of Thrones, The Mandalorian, and The Last of Us, Pascal still found the experience of joining the MCU intimidating. In the past, he’s spoken about the sizable expectations that come with a movie like The Fantastic Four: First Steps, expressing a desire to make something that will entertain the fans looking forward to the highly anticipated reboot.

Over the course of his career, Pascal has demonstrated a keen ability to handle a variety of roles across various genres. He’s appeared in everything from action movies and shows, crime dramas, comedies, and more, making him a strong fit for a Marvel tentpole. Additionally, Pascal’s headlining roles in The Mandalorian and The Last of Us established him as one of the go-to actors to play father figures. Seeing that Reed is set to become a parent in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Pascal will be able to tap into that beloved side of his range as well. Though audiences have only gotten glimpses of his performance as Reed in the First Steps trailers, the clips have conveyed Reed is a dedicated, loyal person who cares about those closest to him and protecting the world from harm.

Pascal has earned numerous accolades, so hopefully his Reed is another winning turn that audiences fall in love with. Along with his First Steps co-stars, he has a long road ahead in the MCU, as he’s set to appear in both Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. It would go a long way in helping the Multiverse Saga stick the landing if people are on board with the MCU’s version of Marvel’s First Family. The cast seems to have great chemistry with each other, meaning Shakman might have had a great eye for talent.

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The Fantastic Four: First Steps star Vanessa Kirby teases audiences will get to see baby Franklin Richards’ superpowers in the film. Speaking with Empire for the outlet’s preview of the upcoming blockbuster, the Marvel Cinematic Universe actress detailed her role as Sue Storm and discussed the prospect of Sue becoming a parent. While she didn’t get into too much detail about how Franklin fits into the narrative, Kirby did hint that the baby might be more than just an adorable scene stealer. Just like his comics counterpart, the MCU’s Franklin has abilities of his own.

“It’s not just adults that have superpowers,” Kirby said.

The official Fantastic Four: First Steps trailer revealed that Sue is pregnant, something that’s been highlighted in subsequent promotional materials. Fans have been treated to an image of HERBIE building a crib for Franklin, and the first wave of First Steps Funko Pop! collectibles packages the baby with Sue. Marvel has not shown Franklin in any footage from the film yet.

[RELATED – The Fantastic Four: First Steps Is More Important for the MCU Than You Realize]

Franklin’s impending arrival in the MCU is a major development, as the character is one of the strongest figures in Marvel lore. In the comics, he can essentially create entire universes out of thin air, putting him on a different level when compared to characters who just have physical strength. Franklin also has telepathic and telekinetic abilities and can shoot energy blasts. He has a key presence in the 2015 Secret Wars comic. Avengers: Secret Wars directors Joe and Anthony Russo have stated they are drawing from that title for the film.

A superpowered baby is going to be a fascinating wrinkle in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. The titular team will more than have its hands full with Galactus and the Silver Surfer, so trying to take care of an infant with special abilities on top of all that will push Sue and the others to their limits. It’ll be interesting to see how far the film goes when it comes to Franklin’s powers. First Steps may only hint at what he’s capable of, laying a foundation to be explored in future movies. Since Franklin will have been born during the events of First Steps, it stands reason to believe he’s on the ship seen in the Thunderbolts* post-credits scene.

No actor for Franklin Richards was announced during the initial wave of Avengers: Doomsday casting announcements, but Marvel has already confirmed there are more reveals to come in the near future. Perhaps an older Franklin is among the next batch of characters to be confirmed for that film. Marvel is clearly trying to preserve as much of Franklin’s role in First Steps as they can, hiding him in trailers. He isn’t a big part of the marketing campaign (and he doesn’t have to be), but once First Steps is out, Marvel may be more inclined to openly discuss Franklin’s role in the MCU moving forward. The character is too important in the grand scheme of things to not be a factor down the line. The MCU’s storytelling hasn’t always been cohesive in the Multiverse Saga, but Kevin Feige, who is trying to do the Fantastic Four justice with First Steps, wouldn’t introduce Franklin unless there was a plan.

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The Fantastic Four: First Steps star Ralph Ineson opens up about playing Galactus in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and explains why he believes the antagonist isn’t “evil.” Speaking with Empire ahead of the film’s release this summer, the actor discussed his experience bringing the character to life, detailing his preparation process for portraying the role. While Galactus is definitely an opposing force to Marvel’s First Family in the movie, threatening to destroy Earth, it doesn’t necessarily mean he has malicious intent. Like any good actor behind a compelling villain, Ineson doesn’t think his Galactus is nefarious.

“He’s a cosmic force. He’s a god, of sorts,” Ineson said, describing Galactus in the film. “I don’t think Galactus is evil.”

The Fantastic Four: First Steps marks the first time Galactus has been depicted in a live-action film since 2007’s Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. The version seen in that movie was heavily criticized, as Galactus was depicted as a cloud. As seen in First Steps marketing materials, the MCU’s take on Galactus will be comics-accurate. Trailers have teased the character’s massive scale and imposing figure.

[RELATED – The Fantastic Four: First Steps Is More Important for the MCU Than You Realize]

In the comics, Galactus was notable because the character broke established trends for villains in superhero stories. Rather than being an evildoer hellbent on world domination or conquering the universe, Galactus consumes planets so he can live. If he stops devouring worlds, he’ll cease to exist, so he does what he does in order to survive.

Specific story details about Galactus in The Fantastic Four: First Steps have largely been kept under wraps during the promotional campaign. All that’s really been revealed is the fact he has marked Earth as his next target. If the film follows the source material, one can see how Ineson doesn’t see Galactus as “evil.” Like anyone else, he’s just trying to live. There’s potential here for a very compelling portrayal of the villain, who is widely considered to be one of the best Marvel characters. Perhaps First Steps‘ take on Galactus could paint the character as a tragic figure, cursed by his perpetual hunger for planets. It would be fascinating if Galactus was torn and conflicted about things, understanding his actions are fueled by an unfortunate necessity.

If Marvel Studios delivers on this promise, Galactus could emerge as one of the most captivating villains in all of the MCU. The franchise’s best antagonists are ones that are well-rounded, relatable characters who aren’t just mustache-twirling evildoers out for power. Marvel has arguably struggled in the villain department during Phases 4 and 5 by attempting to craft sympathetic figures as foils for the heroes, but this is an instance where that approach could pay off. Obviously, Galactus is someone who needs to be stopped, but the character is so much more than a world-consuming monster. First Steps can demonstrate that in a way that hasn’t been on screen before.

The post MCU Galactus Star Thinks the Planet-Eater Isn’t “Evil” (& He May Be Right) appeared first on ComicBook.com.

Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps is gearing up for its highly anticipated release this summer, and it’s only a matter of time before tickets go on sale. Before those pre-orders become available, theaters need to book showtimes, which means they need to know how long the film is. First Steps has a new run time, and it’s a little shorter than the figure that was initially reported. The movie’s landing page on the official AMC Theatres website has been updated to indicate that it is 2 hours, 10 minutes (130 minutes) long.

Despite this change, First Steps remains the longest Fantastic Four feature film. The Tim Story-directed movies from the mid-2000s ran for 106 minutes and 92 minutes, while 2015’s reboot from director Josh Trank was 100 minutes. First Steps is also the longest Marvel Cinematic Universe installment released this year. Thunderbolts* ran for 127 minutes and Captain America: Brave New World was 119 minutes.

Back in February, the website for the UK-based theater chain Odeon claimed The Fantastic Four: First Steps would be 140 minutes. While it’s possible this figure could change again at some point over the next couple of months, it’s reasonable to assume AMC has received new information as the chain prepares for the film’s release this summer.

[RELATED – The Fantastic Four: First Steps Is More Important for the MCU Than You Realize]

The new First Steps run time comes out in the midst of Disney/Marvel putting together a big marketing push for the summer tentpole. In addition to releasing a new trailer that offered fans a look at the MCU’s Silver Surfer, the studio has looked to raise awareness by airing ads highlighting the cast’s chemistry during ESPN’s coverage of the 2025 NBA playoffs.

It’s unclear why the First Steps run time is different now than it was a few months ago. One possibility is that the original figure from Odeon was merely a placeholder. Another is that different chains might have received different information about the film. Perhaps at one point, The Fantastic Four: First Steps was going to be a bit longer before some footage was left on the cutting room floor. Every film has deleted scenes, so the run time could have fluctuated as the movie made its way through the editing process.

Some might be surprised that The Fantastic Four: First Steps is slightly shorter than initially believed. As the kickoff to the MCU’s Phase 6, the film has a lot on its plate, introducing viewers to a new set of characters and an entirely different setting (First Steps takes place in a 1960s-inspired retro-futuristic reality). The Fantastic Four are set to be key figures in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, so First Steps needs all the time it needs to properly flesh everything out and get audiences acclimated with the new take on Marvel’s First Family. But arguably what’s even more important is how First Steps uses its time. Whether it’s 130 minutes or 140 minutes, what matters most is entertaining viewers with a well-paced story. As long as First Steps is that, Marvel fans won’t care about missing an extra 10 minutes.

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The stars of The Fantastic Four: First Steps showcase their chemistry with each other in a new tie-in ad for the upcoming Marvel blockbuster. In the promo, which was released as part of ESPN’s coverage of the 2025 NBA playoffs, Marvel’s First Family gathers together to watch Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals. Evidently, Johnny Storm is a huge basketball fan, as he’s still miffed about missing Game 4 in a different playoff series that took place when the characters went to space. Getting life-changing super powers doesn’t make up for being left out of the conversation about a great game.

A nice touch in the promo is the retro ESPN logo and use of vintage basketball footage, tying into First Step‘s 1960s-inspired retro-futuristic setting. You can watch it in the space below:

Disney/Marvel has kicked the Fantastic Four: First Steps marketing campaign into full gear ahead of the film’s July release date. A trailer was released back in April, establishing the movie’s tone, atmosphere, and characters. One of the more noteworthy elements of that preview was teasing the massive scale of First Steps‘ comics-accurate Galactus. Some merchandise has also been unveiled, giving fans their first look at the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Franklin Richards.

[RELATED – The Fantastic Four: First Steps Is More Important for the MCU Than You Realize]

As Marvel looks to end the Multiverse Saga on a high note, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is a very integral project for the MCU’s future. The four main stars, Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, are set to reprise their roles in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. Marvel continued to build hype for First Steps‘ arrival by teasing the Fantastic Four in the Thunderbolts* post-credits scene.

The NBA playoffs aren’t necessarily the first place fans might expect to get a new look at The Fantastic Four: First Steps, but there’s some corporate synergy at play here. ESPN is another Disney-owned property, so the Mouse House is using the platform of a high-profile sporting event to raise awareness for its big summer tentpole. Disney’s taken advantage of ESPN audiences to promote blockbusters in the past (see: the Star Wars sequel trilogy trailers that premiered on Monday Night Football), so this is something the studio has plenty of experience with. It wouldn’t be surprising to see more Fantastic Four promos as the NBA playoffs roll on; ABC (also Disney-owned) is the home of the NBA Finals.

This ad is clearly something made specifically to air during the ESPN broadcast, meaning there aren’t any new plot details to dissect. However, it gives fans another great taste of how the characters interact and play off each other. Given how important the Fantastic Four are to the rest of the Multiverse Saga (and perhaps beyond), it’s crucial for audiences to be onboard with these versions of the classic characters. Some might find it strange to see Johnny bickering about missing a game, but the Fantastic Four feels like a family that’s been together for a long time here. If the chemistry they display in this promo is anything like what’s in the final film, Marvel fans are in for a treat.

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The Fantastic Four: First Steps will introduce Marvel’s first family of superheroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but their highly anticipated debut carries much more significance than most fans realize. Phase 6’s first movie centers on Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm/Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm/Human Torch (Joseph Quinn), and Ben Grimm/The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) as they fight to protect their world against Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and Shalla-Bal/Silver Surfer (Julia Garner). The Fantastic Four: First Steps takes place in a timeline separate from the MCU’s main universe, though the heroes will eventually arrive in Earth-616, as confirmed by the post-credits scene of Thunderbolts* and the Fantastic Four members’ involvement in 2026’s Avengers: Doomsday.

Avengers: Doomsday is the real make-or-break movie in the MCU’s near future, yet The Fantastic Four: First Steps remains almost as important. Several factors relating to the Fantastic Four’s revival, the film’s release in proximity to Doomsday, and the coinciding debut of the DC Universe with Superman two weeks earlier, cement The Fantastic Four: First Steps as the MCU’s most important movie since 2019’s Avengers: Endgame. A lot is riding on its success, and the MCU cannot afford to miss.

[RELATED: Marvel Fan Finds Surprising Trend About MCU Movie Ratings (But Fantastic Four Might Break It)]

The Significance of The Fantastic Four: First Steps Cannot Be Understated

As the third live-action film iteration of the titular team, The Fantastic Four: First Steps will face endless comparisons to the previous versions put forth in Fox’s 2005 and 2015 Fantastic Four movies — the former of which was followed by 2007’s Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. Neither of the aforementioned titles garnered much critical or fan praise – thus, the bar is set fairly low for The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Undeniably iconic comic book heroes, the Fantastic Four have frustratingly never reached their full potential in movies. If the MCU’s Fantastic Four emerges as the best rendition of the characters, comic book fans will be delighted, and faith in the MCU’s ability to reboot beloved heroes ahead of casting its new X-Men could be restored.

Fantastic Four: First Steps is the second-to-last MCU movie to hit theaters before Doomsday, adding another pivotal layer of expectations and stakes. Charged with providing an adequate setup for the first Avengers film in seven years, First Steps needs to thoroughly develop its characters before their high-stakes showdown with Doctor Doom (Robert Downey Jr.) while providing enough context for Doomsday’s overarching plot. A good portion of fan hype for Doomsday will rely on the audience’s reception of The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

DC Is Starting Its Own New Universe

Lastly, factoring into the immense importance of The Fantastic Four: First Steps is its release date, just two weeks after the new DC Universe’s first movie, Superman, opens in theaters. Directed by James Gunn, Superman will introduce David Corenswet as the newest portrayal of the legendary hero, beginning a long-awaited new era of interconnected DC movies. It feels like forever since Marvel and DC films had an equal impact on the box office or on the superhero zeitgeist. Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy of the 2000s and early 2010s remains DC’s only model of consistent quality, while 2017’s Wonder Woman and 2018’s Aquaman prevailed as aberrations amid the DC Extended Universe’s messy and underwhelming slate. Meanwhile, the MCU has taken advantage of DC’s failures, captivating moviegoers with the Infinity Saga from 2008 to 2019, and has mostly maintained its cultural relevancy despite some hiccups in the years following Avengers: Endgame.

But, with Superman arriving right before The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Gunn’s DCU has the chance to generate genuine competition with the MCU for years to come. There will be a box office battle between The Fantastic Four: First Steps and Superman, and the two movies will also compete for the approval of critics and audiences. Twin revivals of iconic superheroes should make for a fun duel this summer. Even though Superman is only one movie, it’s likely the start of a new era in which Marvel and DC vie for supremacy in the genre.

The MCU Could Be in Trouble if The Fantastic Four: First Steps Fails

A ton is at stake for the MCU with The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Although Thunderbolts* helped breathe new life into the franchise, The Fantastic Four: First Steps must carry the momentum into Avengers: Doomsday. The MCU can neither afford a box-office bomb nor a critical reception failure here, as the countdown to its all-important next Avengers outing wanes. With Superman setting the bar for success a couple of weeks earlier, The Fantastic Four: First Steps needs to match or exceed the response to the DCU’s flagship film. If The Fantastic Four: First Steps falls short, the MCU’s will be limping into Doomsday, which already lacks sufficient buildup. The MCU has to get The Fantastic Four: First Steps right to bring the best version of the Fantastic Four to the big screen, to establish a proper preface for Avengers: Doomsday, and to prove that it still dominates the superhero genre. 

The Fantastic Four: First Steps opens in theaters on July 25th.

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David Tennant, an actor remembered for his portrayal of Kilgrave in Marvel’s Jessica Jones, stated at a recent MCM Comic Con that he had previously been interested in the role of Reed Richards from the Fantastic Four. While Tennant doesn’t reveal if actual talks happened about him playing the leader of the Fantastic Four in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the idea of the actor playing the part offers an interesting “what if” scenario. The part of Reed Richards in Marvel Studios’ upcoming film, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, has been filled by Pedro Pascal. Tennant also commented on this casting, indicating his approval of Pascal for the role, and is excited to see the MCU debut of Mr. Fantastic.

“In terms of superheroes, I did slightly have my eye on Reed Richards,” Tennant said when asked which MCU hero he would like to play. “Unfortunately, it looks like they’ve gone in a different direction. Although if it has to be someone, I’m very happy for it to be Pedro Pascal, frankly.”

[RELATED: The Fantastic Four: First Steps Reveals Best Look Yet at MCU Galactus]

Tennant is globally recognized for his energetic and beloved portrayal of the Tenth Doctor in the iconic BBC science fiction series Doctor Who, a role he held from 2005 to 2010 and reprised for special episodes. Beyond Doctor Who, Tennant garnered critical acclaim and numerous awards, including a BAFTA Scotland Award and an International Emmy, for his chilling performance as serial killer Dennis Nilsen in the miniseries Des. He also starred as DI Alec Hardy in the hit crime drama Broadchurch, a role which also earned him a BAFTA Scotland Award and several TV Choice Awards for Best Actor. Other notable roles that have cemented his status as a versatile actor include his performance as the demon Crowley in the popular Amazon Prime series Good Omens, based on the novel by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, and as Barty Crouch Jr. in the film Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

In the MCU, Tennant became one of the franchise’s most compelling and terrifying villains in Season 1 of Jessica Jones through his portrayal of Kilgrave. Also known as the Purple Man from the Marvel comics, Kilgrave could control anyone’s mind with a simple vocal command. Tennant’s performance was lauded for its chilling blend of charm and sadism, creating a deeply unsettling antagonist whose psychological torment of Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter) and others formed the dark core of the season. While Killgrave has been long dead in the MCU, the series is being reincorporated into canon as Ritter is confirmed to reprise her role as Jessica Jones in the upcoming Season 2 of Daredevil: Born Again.

Pedro Pascal Will Lead Marvel’s First Family in The Fantastic Four: First Steps

While Tennant didn’t score the role of Mr. Fantastic, Marvel Studios is preparing to launch the First Family with The Fantastic Four: First Steps. In addition to Pasca, the movie also stars Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/The Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/The Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing. The film is being directed by Matt Shakman, who previously directed Marvel Studios’ series WandaVision. The film will adopt a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic setting in an alternate universe, with key antagonists including the cosmic entity Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and Shalla-Bal (Julia Garner), a version of the Silver Surfer.

Official tie-in merchandise for The Fantastic Four: First Steps has also offered an early glimpse of Franklin Richards, the son of Reed and Sue. In Marvel Comics, Franklin Richards’ powers include telepathy, telekinesis, and reality manipulation, which leads him to play a key role in 2015’s Secret Wars storyline. Since Marvel Studios is building the path to its own Avengers: Secret Wars movie, the introduction of Franklin might tease how the MCU will handle the reality-shattering event on the big screen. Following their introduction in First Steps, the four main actors portraying the Fantastic Four are confirmed to appear in the upcoming film Avengers: Doomsday, a reunion already teased by Thunderbolts*. So, it’s fair to assume Franklin will somehow be involved in the upcoming MCU crossovers.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is scheduled to arrive in theaters on July 25th.

What are your thoughts on David Tennant’s past interest in playing Reed Richards? Let us know in the comments.

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Fantastic Four has become one of Marvel’s best superhero comics currently being published. The Fantastic Four has become more important than ever with One World Under Doom, helping the Avengers and other heroes go up against Emperor Doom. Doom has made their lives difficult, taking away the powers of the Thing. This could lead to the whole Fantastic Four losing their power, and drives the team into the past of other universes in an attempt to get their powers back. When it doesn’t work, the Thing sends them to the past of Earth-616, and his exposure to the cosmic radiation robs the past Fantastic Four of their powers, changing the timeline. Fantastic Four #32 sees the Valeria Richards try to save the day, her mind somehow thrown into her counterpart in this new Earth. When Valeria wonders how the world was saved without the Fantastic Four, she makes a startling discovery — Franklin Richards has his power and has become Galactus.

While this might be a shock to fans who have only recently started following the Fantastic Four, Galactus and Franklin Richards has been linked in many ways over the years. This version of Franklin is very different than the old version, and his transformation into Galactus is a huge part of the story. This isn’t even the first time that Franklin has become Galactus. With the two of them soon to make their Marvel Cinematic Universe — or with Sue pregnant at least — it’s interesting to take a look back at the history of Franklin and Galactus.

Franklin Often Ends up Related to Galactus in Several Alternate Universe Stories

Earth X is one of Marvel’s greatest alternate universe stories. Taking place in a future where everyone on Earth has gained superpowers, thanks to Black Bolt detonating a Terrigen Mist bomb that activates a special sequence in the genes of humanity. Readers are given a primer on some of the major events of the Fantastic Four’s life, and one of them is the fate of Galactus. Reed Richards ended up transforming the cosmic giant into a star. However, Galactus plays a big role in the ecosystem of the Marvel Universe. There has to be a Galactus, and Franklin Richards takes his place. When the Celestials attack the Earth — Earth X is the story that reveals that the Celestials gave humanity the ability to have superpowers as a protection for the Celestial embryo inside of the Earth — Reed Richards does the only thing he can do. He calls Galactus, but he does it by calling Franklin, which draws Galactus to Earth, as much to kill Celestials, which is Galactus’s main purpose in order to keep them from over-populating, as to learn why Richards called him Franklin. Reed can’t tell him the true reason, because if Franklin stops believing he’s not Galactus, he will transform back into a human, and the universe will be without protection from the Celestials. It’s a heartbreaking moment.

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Another major example of the Franklin/Galactus relationship comes in 2015’s Secret Wars. Doom saved the multiverse from the Incursion, bringing together shards from different Earths. Doom creates his own version of the Fantastic Four, saving Sue Richards, Franklin, and Valeria but allowing Reed to die on their Earth. Using his godlike powers, he makes them believe that he’s their father, and they work together to protect Battleworld. Franklin is usually seen meditating and using his powers in the background of most scenes floating above the palm of Galactus. Franklin’s powers are much like the Power Cosmic, allowing him to do just about all of the same things that Galactus can. While Earth X‘s Galactus/Franklin mash-up is a hero, the one introduced in Fantastic Four #32 is completely the opposite.

This New Galactus Is a True Monster

Valeria was wondering how the Earth had survived without the Fantastic Four, and soon learns the truth. Franklin apparently got to the Earth before she did, but instead of his mind taking over his new body, his powers did. Reed and Sue used their infant god to destroy any enemies of the Earth. This warped the young child, and he eventually transformed himself into the biggest, scariest thing he’s ever dealt with — Galactus. Since then, he’s ruled the Earth with a massive iron fist, mindwiping or killing anyone who he doesn’t like.

Valeria has to figure out a way to stop her brother, which is the gist of the issue. She finds allies she never expected —a married Jean Grey and Namor — and is able to come up with a place that needs to be read to be believed. Valeria is able to outsmart this new Galactus, showing that brains can overcome brawn.

Fantastic Four #32 is on sale now.

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WARNING: There are Thunderbolts* spoilers ahead! A new preview image from The Fantastic Four: First Steps released on Wednesday shows Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal) and Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn) in space, perhaps answering a question left hanging at the end of Thunderbolts*. The photo — published by Fandango — shows the two in spacesuits with the Fantastic Four logo on them, and a larger emblem on the wall behind them. This likely means the team is heading to space after they have their powers and are established as superheroes. This could be the very same ship that we saw heading towards Earth-616 in the post-credit scene, and hopefully, it has the Fantastic Four on board.

It’s no surprise to see Reed, Johnny, Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) and Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby) in space. The group’s origin story is an experimental space flight where they were bombarded with cosmic rays, leaving them each with unique superpowers. However, we know that First Steps is not an origin story movie, and the team would not have its logo at the time of their origins anyway. Whatever this scene is, it takes place after the Fantastic Four are established as a team.

This confirms that the Fantastic Four already have the resources to return to space at the time of this story. From there, it’s reasonable to speculate that they may be in the very spaceship we see in the post-credits scene of Thunderbolts*. Hopefully, this means it’s the Fantastic Four themselves heading towards the MCU’s primary earth setting, though it could still be their ship with someone else on board — perhaps Doctor Doom (Robert Downey Jr.).

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The set-up at the end of Thunderbolts* seems to be intentionally mysterious. We’re told explicitly that the scene takes place 14 months after Val declares the team the “New Avengers,” but we’re also told that they’re still at odds with Sam Wilson’s team. We then see a satellite image of a ship heading towards earth with the Fantastic Four logo painted on the side. The Avengers are not sure whether to regard it as a threat, and they’re watching closely. They have confirmation that the ship came from an alternate dimension, not just elsewhere in space.

First Steps takes place in a separate timeline from the rest of the MCU, and there are plenty of ways it could crossover into the main reality of Earth-616. The logo is a good hint that the Fantastic Four developed the interdimensional travel themselves, but it’s not clear why, nor why they’re targeting Earth-616. It’s also possible that the team developed this technology only to have it stolen by Doom, who might have some nefarious reason of his own to shift timelines.

It’s a mystery that’s likely to go unsolved until The Fantastic Four: First Steps hits theaters on July 25th. Thunderbolts* is still playing in theaters around the U.S.

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Hungry for a new look at The Fantastic Four: First Steps villain Galactus? Ralph Ineson‘s big bad looms large over Marvel’s First Family — Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), Sue Richards/Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm/the Human Torch (Joseph Quinn), and Ben Grimm/the Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) — in the Marvel Studios movie, which has the Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) herald his arrival to Earth in 1960s retro-futuristic New York City.

In a new piece of promotional art that comes from the film’s partnership with Snapple, the planet-devouring Galactus is shown towering over the Fantastic Four’s headquarters: the Baxter Building. (Unlike most floating head posters, Ineson’s Galactus is true to size.)

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Like the Eater-of-Worlds consuming planets to satiate his ravenous hunger, Snapple will help fans quench their thirst with a line of Fantastic Four collectible bottles. Each of four classic flavors will feature one member of the Fab Four: Snapple Apple (Mister Fantastic), Peach Tea (Invisible Woman), Peach Tea Zero Sugar (Human Torch), and Kiwi Strawberry (The Thing).

In the comics, Galactus is Galan from the planet Taa and the sole survivor of a universe that existed before the cosmos-birthing Big Bang. Introduced in 1966’s classic Fantastic Four #48 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby — the first in the Galactus Trilogy that also marked the debut of his space-faring herald, Norrin Radd’s Silver Surfer — Galactus first came to Earth as the Silver sought a planet with the energy and elemental resources to sustain his master. (The threat was so great that Uatu the Watcher, who vowed to never interfere with the events he would solemnly observe, intervened in an attempt to conceal the Fantastic Four’s home planet from Galactus.)

After appearing as a featureless cosmic cloud in 2007’s Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, the comic-accurate Galactus is also taking his first steps into the Marvel Cinematic Universe — with Ineson inhabiting the role beyond off-screen voicework.

“I didn’t want to just use motion-capture for Galactus. I wanted to actually have someone there embodying the part,” director Matt Shakman previously told Entertainment Weekly about the Game of Thrones and Nosferatu actor. “So we’ve built an entire costume for him, and we’ve done a lot of photography testing to figure out, ‘How do you make sure that the scale is correct? How do you film Mount Rushmore?’”

Set against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world in an alternate Marvel Cinematic Universe timeline, The Fantastic Four: First Steps “introduces Marvel’s First Family as they face their most daunting challenge yet,” the synopsis states. “Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, they must defend Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer. And if Galactus’ plan to devour the entire planet and everyone on it weren’t bad enough, it suddenly gets very personal.”

Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps — starring Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Ralph Ineson, Julia Garner, Paul Walter Hauser, Natasha Lyonne, Sarah Niles, and John Malkovich — opens only in theaters on July 25.

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Official tie-in merchandise for The Fantastic Four: First Steps spoils the first look at one of the most popular Marvel characters: Franklin Richards. Included in the first batch of First Steps Funko Pop! collectibles is a Sue Storm figure, and it comes packaged with little baby Franklin. Sue’s infant son is dressed in an outfit that’s the inverse of the Fantastic Four team, as his clothes are predominantly white with blue accents. The rest of the initial wave of Funkos consists of Reed Richards, the Human Torch, Silver Surfer, and two variations of the Thing. In one, Ben Grimm spots his classic Fantastic Four costume; in the other, he’s in his civilian trench coat and top hat.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps marketing has teased Franklin’s arrival to the MCU on multiple occasions. The film’s trailer confirms Sue is pregnant, while a still image features the family’s robot assistant HERBIE building a crib for Franklin. To this point, it was unknown if Franklin would be seen on screen, but the Funkos indicate he will be born during the movie.

Audiences are going to meet a lot of powerful characters in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, including the villain Galactus, but Franklin’s impending introduction to the MCU is perhaps one of the movie’s most exciting developments. In Marvel Comics, Franklin is one of the mightiest beings in the multiverse. He possesses telepathic and telekinetic abilities, and he can shoot energy blasts and create pocket dimensions. Franklin plays a significant role in the 2015 Secret Wars comic event.

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After making their debut in this summer’s First Steps, the Fantastic Four will appear in both Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars. While it’s been confirmed Reed, Sue, Johnny, and Ben are all returning, nothing has been said about whether or not Franklin will be featured in the Avengers films.

The Franklin Storm Funko Pop! could be a sign that there will be some sort of time jump in First Steps. When Johnny and Ben deduct Sue is pregnant in the trailer, she does not have a baby bump. It’s likely the family learns the news early on in the film before it skips ahead several months. Since this is the first time the Fantastic Four have been properly featured in the MCU, the movie’s first act could be fairly low-stakes, establishing the characters and how they fit in the 1960s retro-futuristic dimension, and then the Galactus crisis happens once the foundation has been laid. Easing viewers in and getting acclimated to a fresh set of characters and setting would be best.

If Franklin is born during First Steps, it’s reasonable to assume he’s on the spaceship with his parents and uncles in the Thunderbolts* post-credits scene. Whatever causes the Fantastic Four to arrive in Earth-616, they aren’t going to leave the baby behind. It’ll be interesting to see how Franklin fits into future MCU installments. Marvel Studios probably wouldn’t bring someone with his power set into the fold unless there was a plan in place to utilize the character in some way. Avengers: Doomsday already had a lot on its plate with 27 confirmed actors, and now there could be a super-powered baby in the mix. Perhaps the Avengers films will have a time jump of their own so they could portray Franklin at an older age.

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