Alright Marvel fans get ready to get excited. There's a ton of buzz building around the upcoming Fantastic Four: First Steps movie and some folks are saying it could be HUGE. Like maybe even a turning point for the MCU huge. Is this the movie to bring back that classic Marvel magic? Let's dive into what everyone's saying and what you can expect.
Paul Walter Hauser Hypes Up Fantastic Four: First Steps as Potential "Marvel Movie of the Year" - Big Words!
Actor Paul Walter Hauser who is in The Fantastic Four: First Steps and set to play a still secret role is seriously talking up the movie . He went on record saying he thinks it could be "the Marvel movie of the year". That's a bold claim right there! Hauser even compared it to game-changers like Guardians of the Galaxy and Black Panther movies that really shook things up for Marvel in a good way.
He told The Direct that based on what he saw and experienced during filming he believes Fantastic Four: First Steps will "go down in history" as kicking off "a new tide of successful storytelling " for Marvel. He thinks it has that same special something that made Guardians and Black Panther such hits. Of course Hauser is probably a bit biased but still it's exciting to hear someone involved be this confident.
Hauser did add a bit of a reality check too. He pointed out that not every movie can be a winner and even Marvel has misses sometimes. But overall his hype level is definitely high for this one.
Box Office Projections: Fantastic Four Aiming for a Strong Presidents Day Weekend Launch
Early box office predictions for Captain America: Brave New World starring Anthony Mackie are looking pretty good. Projections suggest it could open to $90 million or more domestically during the extended Valentine's Day/Presidents Day weekend in 2025. Now why are we talking about Captain America for a Fantastic Four article? Well those box office numbers are being used as a benchmark for what Fantastic Four: First Steps might achieve when it hits theaters in July 2025 .
A $70-85 million opening for Fantastic Four is considered a reasonable expectation right now based on pre-sales data. If reviews are great that could push it even higher. That kind of opening would put it in the same ballpark as movies like Doctor Strange Thor: The Dark World and Ant-Man and the Wasp. Presidents Day weekend has been good for Marvel before with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and especially Black Panther having huge launches on that holiday weekend.
Meet the New Fantastic Four: Pascal Kirby Quinn and Moss-Bachrach Take on Marvel's First Family
So who are the lucky actors bringing the Fantastic Four to life this time? It's a seriously impressive cast:
- Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic: Fresh off his success in The Last of Us and The Mandalorian Pascal is playing the genius leader of the team.
- Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman: Known for her roles in The Crown and Mission: Impossible Kirby is taking on the powerful and intelligent Sue Storm.
- Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch: Stranger Things breakout Quinn will be the hot-headed and charismatic Human Torch.
- Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing: From The Bear Moss-Bachrach is set to bring heart and emotion to the rocky and lovable Thing.
This cast is packed with talent from critically acclaimed shows and big franchises. Director Matt Shakman known for his work on WandaVision is at the helm promising a blend of nostalgia and fresh storytelling. The movie is set in a cool 1960s retro-futuristic world which should give it a unique look and feel compared to other MCU films.
What's the Story? Galactus Red Hulk and a 1960s Retro-Future - Plot Teasers for Fantastic Four
What can we expect plot-wise? Well Fantastic Four: First Steps is not another origin story thankfully. It seems to be throwing us right into the action with the team already formed and facing a major threat. And that threat is HUGE - literally.
Galactus the Devourer of Worlds is confirmed as the main villain and he's being played by Ralph Ineson. Julia Garner is also on board as Silver Surfer Galactus' herald but in a gender-swapped twist as Shalla-Bal instead of Norrin Radd. There are also rumors of John Malkovich playing another classic Fantastic Four villain adding to the villainous mix.
The official synopsis mentions the Fantastic Four facing their "most daunting challenge yet" as they defend Earth from Galactus. It also hints at a personal stake making this more than just a cosmic threat. Plus there's the whole 1960s retro-futuristic setting which sounds visually stunning and should give the movie a distinctive vibe. Get ready for a blend of cosmic wonder period aesthetics and classic Fantastic Four family dynamics.
Marvel's Bet on the First Family: Can Fantastic Four: First Steps Reclaim MCU Glory?
Fantastic Four: First Steps is being positioned as a major movie for Marvel and Phase Six of the MCU. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige is excited to bring the Fantastic Four into the MCU and connect them to the wider universe. Rumors suggest the events of First Steps could tie directly into Avengers: Secret Wars possibly through some multiverse shenanigans. The Fantastic Four might become central figures in the MCU's future just like they are in the comics.
After a bit of a mixed bag of recent MCU movies Marvel is definitely hoping Fantastic Four: First Steps will be a home run. They are pulling out all the stops with a talented cast a cool director a unique setting and a classic villain in Galactus. Could this movie be the one to get everyone hyped about Marvel again and start a new era of successful storytelling? We will find out in July 2025 but early signs are definitely promising.