Movies - The Fantastic Four: First Steps – Marvel Studios Unveils a Bold New Chapter in the MCU

By Mulder, Alabama, Huntsville, U.S. Space & Rocket Center, 04 february 2025

Marvel Studios has officially launched the highly anticipated teaser trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps, signaling a new beginning for Marvel’s First Family in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). This landmark event took place at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama, famously known as "Rocket City" and home to Space Camp. Fans around the world tuned in via a Marvel livestream to witness the grand reveal, while the film’s main cast—Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach—stood before the iconic Saturn V rocket to lead the countdown.

The choice of venue for the trailer premiere was no coincidence. With The Fantastic Four: First Steps deeply rooted in themes of space exploration, innovation, and scientific wonder, Huntsville’s historical connection to the space race added a symbolic resonance to the film’s reveal. The event emphasized the film’s 1960s-inspired retro-futuristic aesthetic, which director Matt Shakman and Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige have teased as a major creative direction for the project. The trailer, while offering glimpses of the film’s universe, left key elements shrouded in mystery—most notably, refraining from showcasing Reed Richards’ (Mister Fantastic’s) signature stretching ability, sparking curiosity and speculation among fans.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set to be the 37th installment in the MCU and the official start of Phase Six. Unlike previous iterations of the Fantastic Four, Marvel Studios has opted to bypass the traditional origin story, instead introducing the team already established in their world. This approach follows the successful integration of Spider-Man into the MCU without rehashing his backstory, allowing the filmmakers to focus on a new, original narrative. The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast: Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards (Mister Fantastic), Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm (Invisible Woman), Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm (Human Torch), and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm (The Thing). The supporting cast includes Hollywood heavyweights such as Ralph Ineson as the film’s primary antagonist, Galactus, Julia Garner as the Silver Surfer, and additional roles played by Paul Walter Hauser, John Malkovich, Natasha Lyonne, and Sarah Niles. Furthermore, Robert Downey Jr. is rumored to make an appearance as Victor von Doom (Doctor Doom) in a post-credits scene, setting up future conflicts in the MCU.

Set in a stylized, retro-futuristic version of the 1960s, The Fantastic Four: First Steps follows Marvel’s First Family as they protect Earth from the looming threat of Galactus, a cosmic entity that devours entire planets. Galactus’s herald, the Silver Surfer, serves as both an adversary and a potential ally, creating complex moral dilemmas for the team. The film aims to balance high-stakes action with deep emotional storytelling, focusing on the family dynamics that have defined the Fantastic Four since their comic book debut in 1961. Shakman has described the film’s tone as a mix of classic adventure and contemporary superhero storytelling, with influences from the optimism of the Space Race era. He has also cited industrial designer Syd Mead’s futuristic visions as a key inspiration for the film’s aesthetic. "I really wanted to take all of that great stuff from Apollo 11 and just imagine that instead of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, it was the Storms, Ben Grimm, and Reed Richards heading off into space," Shakman explained.

The development of The Fantastic Four: First Steps has been a long and intricate process. Following Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox in 2019, the Fantastic Four film rights were officially transferred to Marvel Studios. Kevin Feige announced the reboot in July 2019, and initially, Spider-Man director Jon Watts was attached to the project. However, Watts stepped down in 2022, and Shakman, known for his work on WandaVision, took the reins. The script underwent multiple rewrites, with Jeff Kaplan, Ian Springer, Josh Friedman, Cameron Squires, Eric Pearson, and Peter Cameron all contributing to the final screenplay. Filming took place from July to November 2024 at Pinewood Studios in London and various locations in England and Spain. The production team placed a heavy emphasis on practical effects and real-world locations to enhance the film’s immersive quality. Cinematographer Jess Hall utilized IMAX cameras to capture the grandeur of the Fantastic Four’s world, ensuring a visually stunning cinematic experience.

Marvel Studios has confirmed that The Fantastic Four: First Steps will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the MCU. As the first film of Phase Six, it is expected to set up major storylines that will lead into upcoming Avengers films, particularly Avengers: Doomsday (2026) and Avengers: Secret Wars (2027). Feige has emphasized that the Fantastic Four will be a foundational pillar of the MCU moving forward, ushering in a new era of cosmic storytelling. The film’s score is composed by Michael Giacchino, a veteran of Marvel projects who previously worked on Doctor Strange and Spider-Man: No Way Home. His compositions will reflect the film’s blend of classic heroism and futuristic wonder, and early previews of the soundtrack at San Diego Comic-Con 2024 received high praise.

The release of the first teaser trailer has ignited excitement among Marvel fans. Early reactions have praised the film’s distinct aesthetic, character chemistry, and faithfulness to the comics. Ben Travis from Empire noted that the film appears "on the right track," while Polygon’s Susana Polo highlighted the retro-futuristic design as a refreshing departure from typical superhero films. The teaser’s decision to withhold Mister Fantastic’s stretching ability has particularly intrigued audiences, leaving many eager to see how the film will portray his powers.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set to premiere in France on July 23, 2025, followed by its U.S. release on July 25, 2025. As the MCU continues to expand into new cosmic territories, this film is expected to serve as a major turning point, reintroducing one of Marvel’s most beloved teams in a fresh and ambitious way. With a stellar cast, a visionary director, and a bold new take on the franchise, The Fantastic Four: First Steps promises to be a cinematic event that blends nostalgia with modern storytelling. As anticipation builds, fans can look forward to further reveals in the coming months, leading up to what may be one of the most defining films of the MCU’s next phase.

You can discover the official photos for a limited time in our Flickr page

Synopsis : 
Marvel's First Family face their most daunting challenge yet. Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, they must defend Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus and his herald, Silver Surfer.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Directed by Matt Shakman
Written by Jeff Kaplan, Ian Springer, Josh Friedman, Cameron Squires, Eric Pearson, Peter Cameron
Based on Fantastic Four by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby
Produced by Kevin Feige
Starring  Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Ralph Ineson, Julia Garner, Paul Walter Hauser, John Malkovich, Natasha Lyonne, Sarah Niles
Cinematography : Jess Hall
Music by Michael Giacchino
Production company : Marvel Studios
Distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Release date : July 23, 2025 (France), July 25, 2025 (United States)

Photos : Getty Images for Marvel Studios