The upcoming film, The Fantastic Four: st Steps, is set to be an American superhero movie that draws inspiration from the iconic Marvel Comics superhero team known as the Fantastic Four.
This film, produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, marks the 37th installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and represents the second reboot of the Fantastic Four franchise. Directed by Matt Shakman, the screenplay is crafted by Josh Friedman and Eric Pearson.
The film boasts a talented ensemble cast, featuring Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn portraying the titular characters. They are joined by notable actors such as John Malkovich, Julia Garner, Paul Walter Hauser, and Ralph Ineson.
Set against a backdrop inspired by the retro-futuristic aesthetics of the 1960s, the narrative follows the Fantastic Four as they strive to defend their world from the formidable cosmic entity Galactus, portrayed by Ineson, who threatens to consume their planet.
Following the disappointing reception of the 2015 film, 20th Century Fox initiated the development of a new Fantastic Four movie.
The landscape shifted significantly in March 2019 when Disney acquired the studio, leading to the transfer of the franchise’s rights to Marvel Studios. By July of that year, a new film was officially announced.
Jon Watts was appointed as the director in December 2020; however, he stepped down from the role in April 2022. Subsequently, in September 2022, Matt Shakman took over the directorial duties while Jeff Kaplan and Ian Springer were engaged in script development.
As early as 2023, casting efforts commenced, and in March, screenwriter Friedman joined the project to refine the script, collaborating with Cameron Squires and Peter Cameron.
Notably, this iteration of the Fantastic Four distinguishes itself from its predecessors by omitting the team’s origin story.
By mid-February 2024, Pearson was brought on board to further enhance the script, coinciding with the announcement of the main cast.
Principal photography took place from July to November 2024 at Pinewood Studios in England, with additional filming occurring on location in both England and Spain.
The upcoming film, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, is set to premiere in the United States on July 25, 2025. This highly anticipated release marks the beginning of Phase Six within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), signaling a new chapter for the franchise.
Fans are eager to see how the iconic superhero team will be reintroduced to the cinematic landscape, following their previous adaptations.
As the MCU continues to expand its narrative horizons, The Fantastic Four promises to bring fresh storylines and character developments that will resonate with both long-time followers and new audiences alike.
Premise
In a parallel Earth reminiscent of the 1960s, characterized by a unique blend of retro aesthetics and futuristic concepts, the Fantastic Four find themselves facing an unprecedented threat.
Their mission is to safeguard their planet from the formidable cosmic entity known as Galactus, a being with an insatiable hunger for worlds.
Accompanying him is his herald, the Silver Surfer, a powerful figure tasked with heralding Galactus’s arrival and preparing the way for his devastating consumption of planets.
As the stakes rise, the Fantastic Four must harness their extraordinary abilities and work together to thwart this existential danger, ensuring the survival of their world against the looming cosmic menace.
Reed Richards, a brilliant scientist and the leader of the Fantastic Four, possesses the extraordinary ability to stretch any part of his body to remarkable lengths.
Director Matt Shakman has characterized Reed as the most intellectually gifted individual on Earth, likening him to a blend of iconic figures such as Steve Jobs, Albert Einstein, and Robert Moses. This perspective emphasizes Reed’s exceptional intellect over his physical capabilities.
Producer Pascal has highlighted that the essence of Reed’s character lies in his mental acuity, drawing inspiration from the “brilliance of an octopus” to capture the complexity and depth of this multifaceted character.
Reed Richards, the esteemed leader of the Fantastic Four and a prodigious scientist, possesses the remarkable ability to elongate any part of his body to extraordinary lengths.
Director Matt Shakman has portrayed Reed as the most intellectually advanced person on the planet, drawing comparisons to legendary figures such as Steve Jobs, Albert Einstein, and Robert Moses.
This characterization underscores the significance of Reed’s intellectual prowess, placing it above his physical abilities. Producer Pascal has further elaborated on this notion, asserting that the core of Reed’s identity is rooted in his sharp mental acuity.
To encapsulate the intricacies and depth of this complex character, he draws inspiration from the “brilliance of an octopus,” highlighting the multifaceted nature of Reed’s intellect and creativity.
Ebon Moss-Bachrach takes on the role of Ben Grimm, also known as The Thing, in the latest adaptation of the Fantastic Four.
As Reed Richards’ closest companion and a former astronaut, Grimm undergoes a dramatic transformation that alters his skin into a tough, orange rock-like exterior, endowing him with extraordinary strength and resilience.
Moss-Bachrach’s portrayal of The Thing is achieved through a combination of motion capture technology and computer-generated imagery (CGI), moving away from traditional prosthetic makeup methods.
He has shared insights about this innovative process with Mark Ruffalo, who similarly employs motion capture to bring the Hulk to life within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
To enhance the authenticity of his performance, Moss-Bachrach donned a motion-capture suit for his scenes, while certain sequences were re-shot using body extensions or a stand-in in a full-sized Thing costume, providing his fellow actors with a tangible reference for the character’s physical presence.
Director Matt Shakman undertook extensive research, consulting with scientists and examining desert rock formations to accurately capture the essence of The Thing’s unique appearance.
