After years of speculation and casting rumors, Marvel Studios has officially assembled the Fantastic Four for its highly anticipated reboot. The announcement, made on Valentine’s Day 2024, confirmed the core cast, setting the stage for what promises to be a unique and bold reimagining of the legendary superhero team.
Who’s in the Cast?
The Fantastic Four will be led by Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards (Mister Fantastic), with Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm (Invisible Woman), Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm (Human Torch), and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm (The Thing). Additional cast members include Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal (a version of Silver Surfer), along with Natasha Lyonne, John Malkovich, and Paul Walter Hauser, whose roles remain undisclosed.
What’s the Story About?
While Marvel has yet to reveal a full synopsis, the studio has confirmed that this new take will not focus on the team’s origin story, unlike previous film adaptations. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige previously hinted at an innovative approach: "A lot of people know this origin story. How do we take that and bring something they’ve never seen before?"
A Throwback Setting: The 1960s
One of the biggest surprises is the film’s setting in the 1960s, giving it a retro-futuristic aesthetic. Director Matt Shakman, known for his work on WandaVision, emphasized that this won’t just be a historical period piece but a reimagined "retro-future 60s" world.
Feige also teased that the film’s version of New York might not be the one fans expect, suggesting that Fantastic Four could introduce a different timeline or reality within the MCU.
The Film’s Title and Directorial Vision
During San Diego Comic-Con 2024, Marvel announced that the official title for the film would be The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Director Matt Shakman has promised a fresh, distinctive take, stating, "We are doing things very differently from past iterations, both in storytelling and filmmaking."
Writing and Production
Initially written by Jeff Kaplan and Ian Springer, the script was later revised by Josh Friedman, known for his work on Avatar: The Way of Water. Filming took place at Pinewood Studios in London, beginning in summer 2024 and wrapping up in late November 2024.
First Trailer, AI Controversy, and What to Expect
The first teaser trailer, released in February 2025, gave fans a glimpse of the Fantastic Four as a family. However, the trailer also sparked controversy over the use of AI-generated visuals, leading to debates among fans and industry professionals. You can read more about the AI controversy here. In the trailer, Pascal’s Reed Richards reflects on their lives before gaining powers, while Sue Storm reassures him, "Whatever life throws at us, we’ll face it together as a family."
Release Date and Future MCU Appearances
The Fantastic Four is set to hit theaters on July 25, 2025, as part of Phase 6 of the MCU. The team will also return for major crossover events, appearing in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars.
The MCU’s Doctor Doom Reveal
At San Diego Comic-Con, it was also revealed that Robert Downey Jr. will take on the role of Doctor Doom, the Fantastic Four’s legendary archenemy first introduced in 1962.
With a retro-futuristic vision, a stellar cast, and major implications for the MCU, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is shaping up to be one of Marvel’s most ambitious projects to date.
