The highly awaited Marvel movie The Fantastic Four: First Steps brings Marvel’s first family to the big screen with an exciting new cast. This marks the team’s official introduction into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film releases on July 25, 2025 and features a star-studded lineup battling the cosmic threat of Galactus.
Directed by Matt Shakman, the movie presents a fresh take on the iconic superhero team. Set in a 1960s-inspired retro-futuristic world, it avoids retelling the origin story and jumps straight into action. The Fantastic Four must defend Earth against Galactus and his herald, the Silver Surfer.
The Main Cast of Fantastic Four: First Steps
Pedro Pascal leads the team as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, the super-stretching scientist and team leader. Pascal describes his approach to the character by focusing on intelligence rather than physicality.
“I considered the brilliance of an octopus when approaching Reed Richards. His mind matters more than his stretching abilities.”
Vanessa Kirby plays Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Reed’s pregnant wife who can turn invisible and create force fields. Kirby wanted to avoid making Sue just a typical mother figure. She drew inspiration from comic storylines where Sue adopts a darker persona called Malice.
Joseph Quinn takes on the role of Johnny Storm/Human Torch, Sue’s fiery younger brother. Unlike previous versions, this Johnny Storm won’t be a womanizer. Quinn and producer Kevin Feige modernized the character to be more self-aware while keeping his humor.
Ebon Moss-Bachrach transforms into Ben Grimm/The Thing, Reed’s best friend turned rock-covered hero. The actor found similarities between Ben and his character in The Bear, noting both are deeply loyal people with strong moral codes.
Villains and Supporting Characters
The cosmic threat comes from Ralph Ineson as Galactus, the planet-devouring space god. Ineson doesn’t see Galactus as purely evil, calling him “a big, planet-eating guy simply doing what he does.” The film uses a comic-accurate design instead of the cloud version from earlier movies.
Julia Garner plays Shalla-Bal/Silver Surfer, Galactus’s herald. Garner studied surfing poses and comic book artwork to create elegant, dance-like movements for the character. She performed the role using motion capture technology.
Paul Walter Hauser appears as Harvey Elder/Mole Man, ruler of the underground Moloids. Director Matt Shakman compares him to a labor union leader focused on his community’s welfare. The character gets a more sympathetic portrayal than in some comics.
Other cast members include Natasha Lyonne in an undisclosed role, Mark Gatiss as talk show host Ted Gilbert, and Sarah Niles as Future Foundation’s Lynne Nichols. The team’s robot helper H.E.R.B.I.E. is voiced by Matthew Wood.
Production Details and Background
Marvel Studios took over the Fantastic Four rights after Disney acquired 20th Century Fox in 2019. Original director Jon Watts left the project in 2022, with Matt Shakman replacing him. The film underwent several script revisions with multiple writers contributing.
Filming took place from July to November 2024 at Pinewood Studios in England and on location in England and Spain. The production used advanced motion capture for The Thing and Silver Surfer, with Ebon Moss-Bachrach consulting Marvel’s Hulk actor Mark Ruffalo about the process.
The movie has a reported budget over $200 million, making it one of Marvel’s most expensive productions. It serves as the first film in Phase Six of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. A sequel is already in development.
What Makes This Version Different
This Fantastic Four reboot stands apart from previous attempts in several ways. It skips the origin story, assuming audiences already know these characters. The 1960s setting provides a fresh visual style distinct from other MCU films.
The cast brings new interpretations to classic roles. Pascal’s Reed Richards combines traits of Steve Jobs and Albert Einstein. Kirby’s Sue Storm balances motherhood with superheroics. Quinn’s Human Torch keeps the humor but drops outdated womanizing traits.
Galactus appears in his classic comic book form rather than as a cosmic cloud. The Silver Surfer is female this time, with Julia Garner’s Shalla-Bal replacing the traditional Norrin Radd.
Fan Expectations and Early Reactions
Marvel fans have eagerly awaited the Fantastic Four’s proper introduction to the MCU. Early reactions to casting announcements and trailers have been largely positive. Many appreciate the fresh take on characters while staying true to their core identities.
The decision to set the film in the 1960s has generated particular interest. This allows the Fantastic Four to exist in the MCU’s past, explaining their absence from previous events. It also provides unique production design opportunities.
With its July 2025 release date approaching, The Fantastic Four: First Steps promises to be one of Marvel’s most significant releases. It introduces key characters and concepts that will likely play major roles in future MCU phases, including the upcoming Avengers movies.
Also read: Julia Garner Stands Firm as Shalla-Bal in Fantastic Four Amid Fan Debates Over CGI and Casting
Credits: Information gathered from official Marvel announcements, IMDb, Wikipedia, and entertainment news sources.
