Credited as Marvel’s “First Family,” the Fantastic Four have a history of shaping the world of Marvel. They had struggles like most people and the team was set in a real city. With the team finally back under Marvel, the Fantastic Four gets a fourth chance to try again in the movies, not as an origin story but as a standalone film. The film is “Fantastic Four: First Steps,” releasing to theaters on July 25.
In the franchise, first, there was “Fantastic Four” in 2005 and its sequel in 2007, developed by 20th Century Fox. Then came the 2015 reboot “Fantastic Four” (“Fant4stic”) which was a cinematic flop. It had an estimated budget of $120 million and the amount it made back worldwide was $167.9 million, not enough to make it a financial success. There was no chemistry between the actors and the characters they were playing and the plot was poorly written.
The franchise is back with Marvel after Disney purchased 21st Century Fox, causing the characters who were associated with Fox to be reunited with their more successful superheroes.
Marvel’s new take on the series is set in the ‘60s, which aligns with the comics, as the Fantastic Four were first introduced in that era. The designs are heavily 60s-inspired with architecture, vehicles, clothing and technology. The robot assistant H.E.R.B.I.E., which stands for Humanoid Experimental Robot B-Type Integrated Electronics, is a prime example with a retro design. The design feels grounded in the ‘60s.
The trailer gives viewers a sense that this team is a family that values each other over themselves.
Matt Shakman is directing the project with Kevin Feige as producer. Micheal Giacchino will be in charge of composing the score. The main cast consists of Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Susan Storm/the Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/the Human Torch and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/the Thing.
The Fantastic Four originally got their powers when Reed wanted to visit an Earth-like planet in a star system 44 lightyears away. He was an aeronautical engineer and was lacking the funding for his project. Reed’s girlfriend Sue and her younger brother Johnny were determined to go to space with him. Reed recruited his old friend Ben to pilot the ship. Soon, the group was headed toward space and they were hit by cosmic rays, which gave them their powers. Since then, they’ve stayed side by side.
In the trailer, when talking to her husband, Reed, Susan reassures him that she, Ben and Johnny will face whatever comes their way together. Earlier in the trailer, Reed says “We make it a point to do family dinner every week. Sunday at 7, on the dot, no matter what. We’re all here.” This reinforces the point of being connected as a family. Everyone is supportive of one another.
The Fantastic Four must be ready since Galactus, the devourer of worlds, has arrived. Galactus is a cosmic being who consumes life energy found in planets for sustenance. He has destroyed countless planets, and he treats it as nothing more than something he’s burdened to do. Granted, the planet eater has appeared in “Fantastic Four: The Rise of the Silver Surfer,” but this is more than a cosmic storm cloud.
More details will be revealed as time goes on and more trailers are released, but as for now, the Fantastic Four’s first steps are making giant leaps to the future and could break Marvel’s streak of mediocre movies and series.
