THE FANTASTIC FOUR: 4 Signs FIRST STEPS Will Be 2025's Best Superhero Movie (And 3 Big Concerns We Have)

THE FANTASTIC FOUR: 4 Signs FIRST STEPS Will Be 2025's Best Superhero Movie (And 3 Big Concerns We Have)

With The Fantastic Four: First Steps fast approaching, we're taking a deep dive into why we think it stands a chance of being 2025's best superhero movie. However, we still have a few minor concerns...

Feature Opinion
By JoshWilding - Nov 26, 2024 12:11 PM EST
Filed Under: Fantastic Four

Last year's Hollywood strikes saw many highly anticipated movies slip into 2025, including The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

So far, we've seen only a handful of set photos and a couple of leaked trailers but, as we write this, that's more than enough for us to say this reboot stands a chance of being the best superhero movie released in theaters next year. 

It's a bold statement, we know, and that's why we've gone in-depth with the main reasons Marvel Studios' take on its First Family has us so incredibly excited. However, in the interest of keeping things fair, we're also sharing a few concerns we have about the long-awaited reboot.

To check those out, you juts need to click on the "Next"/"View List" buttons below. 
 

It's Unlike Any Other MCU Movie

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For years, Marvel Studios has been criticised for delivering different variations of the same movie. We think that's a little harsh, but there's no denying that most of their big and small screen stories end with a big battle in the sky.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps, however, is more akin to WandaVision - which is appropriate seeing as Matt Shakman is directing - in the sense that it looks unlike any MCU movie or TV show before it. 

Set in a futuristic 1960s New York City in an alternate reality, the movie feels like a big swing for Marvel Studios. Also noteworthy is how much of this world is being created practically, a welcome change after Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania went all-in on The Volume. 

There's a strong likelihood we'll get another fight above the Big Apple, but right now, First Steps feels like a step in the right direction. 
 

Galactus Is Coming

Galan-Earth-2149-from-Marvel-Zombies-Vol-1-3-0001-copy

There are many routes Marvel Studios could have taken its Fantastic Four reboot down but heading straight to Galactus...well, why not?

While an argument could be made that he's a villain who should be teased over the course of a trilogy, why delay introducing one of this team's most iconic, formidable foes? There are other choices, sure, but outside of Doctor Doom (who has been done to death in this franchise), Galactus remain the best one.

Joining the Eater of Worlds will be the Silver Surfer. However, with The Fantastic Four: First Steps playing out on another Earth, we're getting the female Shalla-Bal version. That's a tad disappointing but there's no reason to believe Norin Radd won't still make his MCU somewhere down the line. So, keep calm! 

A leaked trailer confirmed Galactus will be comic-accurate and, let's face it, that's not an easy design to pull off in live-action. The fact this movie is heading down that route is exciting on so many levels. 
 

The Cast Is...Fantastic

THE-FANTASTIC-FOUR-FIRST-STEPS-Comic-Con-2024-Panel-Vanessa-Kirby-Pedro-Pascal-Joseph-Quinn-6-34-scr

Many names cropped up before Marvel Studios officially announced The Fantastic Four: First Steps' cast, but the foursome chosen to bring Marvel's First Family back to our screens is damn near perfect. 

The movie will be led by Pedro Pascal (Mister Fantastic) Vanessa Kirby (Invisible Woman), Joseph Quinn (Human Torch), and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Thing), with Ralph Ineson as Galactus and Julia Garner taking on the role of Silver Surfer. 

As if that wasn't exciting enough, they'll be joined by Walter Hauser, John Malkovich, and Natasha Lyonne. Yes, we had our heads turned by names like Adam Driver and Margot Robbie once upon a time, but this is one of the MCU's best ensembles yet. 

Crucially, the actors chosen for these roles feel right for their respective characters and we expect big things from all of them. 
 

It Looks Better Than Its Competition

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There are four major superhero movies heading our way in 2025 and, as we write this, The Fantastic Four: First Steps simply looks better than all of them...combined?!

It's too early to say that, but following endless reports about reshoots and negative test screenings, we're heading into Captain America: Brave New World hoping it's at least watchable. Thunderbolts* could be a surprise but, as great as those trailers are, it doesn't appear to be breaking any new ground for the MCU.

Then, there's Superman. The first DC Studios movie needs to set the tone for the new DCU and we do think James Gunn will deliver. However, it's too soon to say whether his unique approach to superheroes is the right fit for the Man of Tomorrow...and do we really need another clash with Lex Luthor?

Nothing quite comes close to The Fantastic Four: First Steps and the team's clash with Galactus; not a Red Hulk, the "New Avengers," or even Ultraman.

Now, on to the few concerns we have about this one...
 

The Multiverse

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We've all grown tired of the Multiverse in recent years and, unfortunately, it seems that will be front and centre in The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

On the one hand, this team hailing from an alternate reality is what's freed Marvel Studios to tell such a different story, with the alternative being to throw the team into the present-day MCU long after The Avengers first assembled. 

There's a risk that much of this movie will be devoted to explaining what's happening in the Multiverse or setting the stage for the Incursions which lead to the destruction of theirs and countless other realities before Doctor Doom creates Battleworld. As a result, Marvel's First Family could become an afterthought in their own movie.

Alternatively, The Fantastic Four: First Steps can do for the Multiverse what Deadpool & Wolverine achieved this summer. We'll have to wait and see.
 

Post-Secret Wars Concerns

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It's already been confirmed that the Fantastic Four will appear in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, movies we know will turn the spotlight to Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom after Marvel Studios moved on from Jonathan Majors and Kang.

If recent rumours are to be believed, Secret Wars will end with a soft reboot of the MCU. The result will be a new world which includes the X-Men and Fantastic Four, ushering in a new era of storytelling. 

That sounds amazing in many ways, but at the same time, does this mean we're getting one 1960-set Fantastic Four adventure before they just become four more MCU superheroes in the present day? We'd rather they exist in the same reality as Spider-Man and The Avengers, yes, but how this will be handled could make or break the franchise moving forward. 

Of course, this is less a concern about First Steps and more about how the team will be handled by the Russo Brothers. Let us not forget Captain Marvel's underwhelming roles in Infinity War and Endgame.
 

What About Doctor Doom?

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We've seen Doctor Doom clash with Marvel's First Family in every single live-action Fantastic Four movie. With that in mind, we can't blame Marvel Studios for not heading down this route next year.

The main benefit to another clash would have been creating a history between the team and Downey's Doom Variant, though we have heard the villain will appear in a post-credits scene.

We believe it's imperative for The Fantastic Four: First Steps to make it so that this Doom hails from the same Earth. A few references to a past battle with Victor would go a long way in making it so that he and Reed Richards have a shared history which can be built on in Doomsday and beyond. 

Doom hailing from this reality also justifies the Fantastic Four's role in the next Avengers movies, even if it likely means Secret Wars will be the final time they battle him on screen (Downey isn't expected to stick around, remember). 
 

THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS Poster Sees Marvel's First Family Wish Us A Happy Holidays
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BringFFtoMCU
BringFFtoMCU - 11/26/2024, 12:16 PM
As my user name has indicated for years now, I am very excited. Here’s some things that have me excited right out of the gate:

Galactus is not a cloud
Comic-accurate Ben Grimm/Thing
Sue Storm is played by a good actress for once
60s setting
Alternate dimension = freedom
Johnny is same race as his sister (makes sense)
Feige has been thinking about this one for years.
McMurdo
McMurdo - 11/26/2024, 2:52 PM
@BringFFtoMCU - casting is probably the biggest concern. It almost seems like they cast Pedro as a big name to be the new face of the MCU post RDJ. A big name actor who everyone recognizes. He just in no way feels like Reed based off the test footage. Hoping for the best but Johnny actor is a concern too IMO. And then you go no Norin Radd because reasons.
lvcl
lvcl - 11/26/2024, 4:47 PM
@BringFFtoMCU -

From what I've seen in the leaked trailer, they're more concerned with the aesthetics, the actors, Pedro's mustache and the woke element with a female Silver Surfer, than with the plot.

At the moment, this looks like another piece of shit like Quantimania.

So many years waiting for a good adaptation and our hopes are going down the toilet.
grendelthing
grendelthing - 11/26/2024, 5:36 PM
@lvcl - How is having a female Silver Surfer woke? It's based on an actual character who served as Galactus' herald at one point and has been around since the 60s. In fact, there have been a few female heralds. Given Shalla-Ball's relationship with Norrin Radd, I wouldn't be surprised if he is referenced in a flashback at some point. Not everything is wokism. It really has become a lazy copout for people to complain about new interpretations or specific story lines that they don't like personally and reaks of incels.
CreateNowSlpL8r
CreateNowSlpL8r - 11/26/2024, 6:24 PM
@grendelthing - For GODS SAKE stop perpetuating this nonsense. You guys google this stuff to defend an indefensible position. The story you reference was an elseworlds story that isn't canon. Its from a limited series from like 2000. I have those comics. The Shalla-Ball relationship you reference IS canon but she was never a surfer. Go read about it. The Franklin becomes Galactus is also NON Canon. There is an in canon story where Galactus becomes Franklins herald in Hickmans run to fight off celetials all to avoid the death of Reed.

You have to understand, there are a lot of Surfer fans out there. He wasnst just a side character but had long solo runs himself as well as being part of major stories like the Infinity Gauntlet. Surfer has a much longer history as not being Galactus herald as he does being one. This robs his fans of seeing him on the silver screen because some idiot decided diversity demands a female. Its nuclear stupid and thats what makes it woke.

Pedro is an awful casting as well. They don't even bother to make him look like Reed and that leaked trailer seems like they are going to the cool nerd. Hes winking and everything as if hes cool. If you ever read a FF comic, its like as opposite from Reed as you can get. Reed is awward because hes in his own head all the time. Hes obsessive which makes him morally gray at times.

@lvcl is 100% right.

@McMurdo @BringFFtoMCU
grendelthing
grendelthing - 11/27/2024, 9:03 AM
@CreateNowSlpL8r - I think you mean What...? Elseworlds is a DC thing. Either way, that's kind of what this is. It's not MCU prime universe, it exists in a world where there's advanced technology in the 60s and has H.E.R.B.I.E. which has never been what the prime FF is like. I don't disagree about the Pedro Pascal casting but I'll hold out and see as I think he's got a little more range than he's been given credit for. I haven't heard so far that the plan is for Franklin to become Galactus. Where's that coming from? Either way, when idiots scream "woke" anytime something gets changed, it just sounds lazy and stupid.
CreateNowSlpL8r
CreateNowSlpL8r - 11/27/2024, 3:47 PM
@grendelthing - I was trying to make an analogy. It wasn't a What If? branded series.

I agree with everything else you said except the woke label. It exists as the mark of an overused trope now in Hollywood. The Surfer deserves his own spotlight. Changing him out for a female has no story purpose other than Disney's well known DEI policies. To your other points earlier, you are correct in that there have been other female heralds except they didn't use them. If they used Nova, I don't think you'd see backlash but they gender swapped a well known hero who has never been female in 616. While the movies can differ, they still call the MCU 616.
lvcl
lvcl - 11/27/2024, 5:28 PM
@grendelthing -
The real idiots are those like you who have not read a Silver Surfer comic book, as has been demonstrated in your comments, and yet continue to insist on defending these stupid changes to already established characters.

To be so stupid and defend the indefensible, you must be getting paid by Disney for posting those comments, otherwise what you're posting makes no sense.
manofsteel96
manofsteel96 - 11/26/2024, 12:16 PM
My only 3 concerns are

Pedro's mustache

Pedro's acting

Pedro's leading the entire movie
Batmangina
Batmangina - 11/26/2024, 12:20 PM
@Pakent - User Comment Image
NicolausCopernicus
NicolausCopernicus - 11/26/2024, 12:21 PM
@Pakent - My only one. Its just the Incredibles in live action
CreateNowSlpL8r
CreateNowSlpL8r - 11/26/2024, 6:26 PM
@Pakent - Why I am still saying this movie can be a major bomb. The other 3 FF movies didn't light the world on fire. The 2015 version was a disaster.

Pedro is a terrible casting.
WEAPONXOXOXO
WEAPONXOXOXO - 11/26/2024, 12:49 PM
"Signs FIRST STEPS Will Be 2025's Best Superhero Movie"

User Comment Image


How about we wait at least, AT LEAST for the trailer. There still filming this right?

MotherGooseUPus
MotherGooseUPus - 11/26/2024, 12:49 PM
I see, i see... another article trying to stir the pot... and im all for it...

User Comment Image
WADEZILLA13
WADEZILLA13 - 11/26/2024, 1:03 PM
"We've all grown tired of the Multiverse"

Wrong. Stop making blanket statements that speak for everybody. In a month you'll be serving up a dozen articles about What If? S3, which is the most Multiversal thing out there.
McMurdo
McMurdo - 11/26/2024, 2:53 PM
@WADEZILLA13 - he's not even slightly wrong on that one, surprisingly.
cubrn
cubrn - 11/26/2024, 3:54 PM
@WADEZILLA13 - I don't understand multiverse complaints. It allows for so much creative freedom.
WADEZILLA13
WADEZILLA13 - 11/27/2024, 12:14 AM
@McMurdo - You’re right, what was I thinking?? EVERYONE is SOOO tired of the Multiverse, not just a subset of nerds whining on the internet. Such widespread Multiverse fatigue is definitely the reason Deadpool & Wolverine bombed so hard……..
Steel86
Steel86 - 11/26/2024, 1:25 PM
Low-key upset with this ultra biased article. Despite the weird in the box thinking of this community Superman looks fantastic 😎. Cast, story, look and feel of the movie. I'm super 😎 excited for Fantastic Four as they are my Mom's favorite and I grew up on them but I don't think anyone can realistically say it looks better or worse than Superman. The comparison to Marvel's other films are just because their recent track record but this is Gunn's first DCU film and I might add Peacemaker, GotG3, GotG Christmas Special and The Suicide Squad were all very good.
RolandD
RolandD - 11/26/2024, 2:28 PM
@Steel86 - Josh has always had a Marvel bias so this is nothing new.
McMurdo
McMurdo - 11/26/2024, 2:54 PM
@Steel86 - I'll be superbly impressed if FF ends up better than Superman. Heavily. The cast doesn't scream FF and Norin Radd isn't in the film.
Steel86
Steel86 - 11/26/2024, 4:16 PM
@McMurdo - I do believe Superman will be better as I feel the movie will have alot of heart to mix in with the action and comedy. Not to mention the cast is just perfect on paper. But I am biased since Superman is my favorite. For me Marvel has to prove it again because the movies and shows have been hit or mis. But I'm optimistic about FF4.
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 11/26/2024, 1:59 PM
I do hope RDJ’s Doom is from this FF’s reality and not a random one , it would just make it more streamlined imo.

Plus , it would give that Victor and Pedro’s Reed some established history depending how long they have been heroes which could give some nice texture to that story.

User Comment Image

Anyway , looking forward to this and the other 3 cbms thus far!!.
DocSpock
DocSpock - 11/26/2024, 2:51 PM

I wonder if or how the FF will bring Alicia Masters, Mole Man, Etc. with them into the MCU.

GiverOfInfo
GiverOfInfo - 11/26/2024, 3:19 PM
Looks like it should be mostly okay, but Superman will BTFO this.
dragon316
dragon316 - 11/26/2024, 5:18 PM
Don’t care if galactus is comic accuate as long he’s not cloud eater
Huskers
Huskers - 11/27/2024, 12:03 AM
Josh you are such a shill for Disney dribble! Bashing Superman right out of the gate, when it looks infinitely better than anything I’ve seen out of this. And the casting sucks. No one sees Reed Richards when they look at this, they see Pedro Pascal and the mustache he sports in everything he does. And the casting of RDJ as Dr. Doom is the absolute worst jumping the shark decision I’ve ever seen!
marvel72
marvel72 - 11/27/2024, 5:39 AM
Biggest concerns are Robert Downey Jr as Doctor Doom and the first Silver Surfer being a woman.
SilverManX
SilverManX - 12/8/2024, 10:21 PM
I have no plans to go watch this movie if Norrin Radd is not in it. No one cares about Shalla-Bal.

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