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[Source: Marvel]
Did you know the Fantastic Four is Marvel’s first superhero team under Marvel Comics?
While the Invaders and the All-Winners Squad teams appeared during the Timely Comics era, the Fantastic Four’s debut in Fantastic Four #1 in 1961 truly marked the beginning of Marvel’s modern superhero storytelling.
Now, Marvel’s First Family is set to make their highly anticipated debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) with The Fantastic Four: First Steps set to premier on July 25, 2025.
In this article, we’ll dive into everything we know so far about Fantastic Four in 2025 — from the intriguing plot and characters to the film’s role in shaping the MCU’s multiverse saga and more.
Fantastic Four 2025 — Marvel’s First Family Returns To The Big Screen
The Fantastic Four: First Steps will mark the First Family’s debut in the MCU.
The highly-anticipated movie will offer a fresh take on the 1960s.
During the 2024 San Diego Comic Con, Matt Shakman, the director of First Steps, announced that he will showcase a “retro-future ’60s” world that, by the sound of it, will combine the nostalgia and charm of Marvel’s Golden Age with some cutting-edge visuals:
This creative approach allows Marvel to easily integrate the Fantastic Four into the MCU without altering the franchise’s history.
It respects the legacy of Marvel’s First Family while also ensuring its relevance in the modern MCU setting.
This highly anticipated release surely is expected to be just the beginning of the team’s journey within the MCU, rather than a standalone movie.
During the Disney Content Showcase 2024 in Singapore, Kevin Feige, the president of Marvel Studios, revealed that he’s very excited about the First Family and its future in the MCU.
He brought up the plans to feature the Fantastic Four is in several major upcoming projects, including Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars.
It’s clear that Fantastic Four: First Steps will bridge gaps between universes and pave the way for crossovers and multiversal conflicts in future MCU titles.
Fantastic Four: First Steps Plot And Retro-Futuristic Setting
The upcoming Fantastic Four: First Steps will take Marvel’s First Family on an extraordinary journey through a retro-futuristic world.
The team’s mission will likely lead them to confront Galactus — the Devourer of Worlds, who is one of Marvel’s most formidable cosmic entities.
The story will probably explore the team’s rise as pioneers in space exploration, with a major task to protect Earth from Galactus.
Fantastic Four: First Steps is also a nod to NASA’s space race of that era.
The title itself echoes Neil Armstrong’s first words when he stepped onto the surface of the Moon:
“That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
The context of the space race aligns with Reed Richards’ visionary leadership and his drive for exploration and progress.
This connection also helps connect Marvel’s fiction with the real-world events, making the movie more relatable.
Aside from the desire for space exploration, the 1960s were the time of significant cultural shifts, including the civil rights movement and the feminist movement, which challenged traditional gender roles and family dynamics.
Family dynamics evolved during this time, focusing on unity and acceptancing non-traditional roles. This evolution will likely be reflected in Sue Storm’s character development, while political tensions of the era might be reflected through Galactus as a metaphor for existential threats.
Release Date And Production Details On Fantastic Four 2025
Production for Fantastic Four: First Steps kicked off in late 2024 and the movie is set to hit theaters on July 25, 2025.
The film is directed by Matt Shakman, who is known for his Emmy-nominated work on WandaVision.
The screenplay was written by the talented team of Jeff Kaplan, Ian Springer and Josh Friedman.
Kaplan and Springer have prviously worked on several comedy projects, including the independent comedy Bert And Arnie’s Guide To Friendship.
Josh Friedman is a sci-fi expert and a seasoned writer, known for his work on notable projects like Avatar: The Way Of Water and Terminator: Dark Fate.
The visual style of Fantastic Four: First Steps will be heavily influenced by the legendary designer Syd Mead, whose designs have shaped iconic sci-fi movies such as Blade Runner, Tron and Star Wars.
This means that we can expect to see spacesuits that incorporate futuristic elements inspired by Mead’s work, as well as suits with high collars and minimalist designs and futuristic gadgets highlighted with glowing lines.
Cast Of Fantastic Four 2025
Let’s get to know the cast who will appear in Fantastic Four: First Steps!
1. Pedro Pascal As Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic
Pedro Pascal will play the role of Reed Richards — the brilliant and complex leader of the Fantastic Four.
It’ll be interesting to see the way he’ll capture both Reed’s visionary intellect and his vulnerability as he navigates the challenges of leadership.
2. Vanessa Kirby As Sue Storm/Invisible Woman
Vanessa Kirby steps into the role of Sue Storm, who serves as the emotional anchor of the team.
The dynamic between Pascal’s visionary Reed and Kirby’s empathetic Sue will provide a solid foundation for the group. Their partnership will likely explore the tension between Reed’s intellectual ambitions and Sue’s focus on family unity.
3. Joseph Quinn As Johnny Storm/Human Torch
Joseph Quinn, known for his breakout role as Eddie Munson in Stranger Things, perfectly embodies Johnny Storm’s fiery personality.
We expect Quinn to bring humor and energy to the role, which will likely make Johnny a fan favorite.
4. Ebon Moss-Bachrach As Ben Grimm/The Thing
Ebon Moss-Bachrach adds depth to Ben Grimm, who serves as both the heart and muscle of the team.
He’ll blend toughness with genuine emotion as the dependable Thing.
5. Julia Garner As Shalla-Bal/Silver Surfer
Garner’s Silver Surfer reimagines the iconic character as Shalla-Bal — a noble and sacrificial figure.
6. Ralph Ineson As Galactus
Ralph Ineson lends his commanding voice and presence to the role of Galactus, the Devourer of Worlds.
Other Characters
Julia Garner takes on the role of Shalla-Bal, a gender-swapped version of the Silver Surfer.
Additionally, John Malkovich, Paul Walter Hauser and Natasha Lyonne will also star in First Steps, although their specific roles have yet to be revealed roles.
Potential Crossovers And Fantastic Four’s Impact On MCU
The introduction of the Fantastic Four to the MCU in First Steps creates exciting opportunities for crossovers.
We already know that the First Family will appear in upcoming movies like Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars.
With Reed Richards, a.k.a., Mister Fantastic, being one of Marvel’s smartest characters, his scientific genius and multiverse research will likely be key to resolving conflicts with Kang the Conqueror and potentially dismantling his temporal technologies.
The inclusion of Doctor Doom in Secret Wars could also tie directly into the narrative of the Fantastic Four.
Doom’s history with the team, particularly his rivalry with Richards, makes us excited to see them eventually be a part of the storyline.
Furthermore, the Fantastic Four’s cosmic adventures may pave the way for the integration of X-Men, especially with the multiverse opening doors to mutants like Wolverine or Storm.
Fantastic Four: First Steps could redefine the MCU as a whole.
Positioned at the start of MCU’s Phase Six, the introduction of the Fantastic Four sets the stage for the culmination of the Multiverse Saga.
As Earth’s leading adventurers, their exploration of cosmic and multiversal realms could establish key elements for Avengers: Secret Wars, including alliances with the Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy and other cosmic entities.
The Fantastic Four’s debut might serve as a “soft reboot” for the MCU, blending beloved legacy characters with new ones.
Furthermore, the Fantastic Four’s role in Phase Six positions them as not only as a cornerstone of the MCU but also as a catalyst for its future growth and evolution.
Marvel’s Next Chapter Begins With First Steps
Marvel’s fresh approach to the Fantastic Four combines 1960s optimism with modern storytelling through a retro-futuristic esthetic, technical innovations and a stellar cast.
This alternate 1960s universe stands out with its distinct visual style, inspired by legendary designer Syd Mead.
The reimagined versions of Galactus and the gender-swapped Silver Surfer show Marvel’s dedication to respecting source material while forging a new and original path.
Marvel places the First Family strategically within the multiverse, which creates endless storytelling possibilities.
The MCU’s Phase Six will showcase these beloved characters as key players in the broader story and launch them toward an exciting future full of limitless potential!
