The Fantastic Four (2025)

[Morrigan2575]

The trailer looks good except for the Silver Surfer CGI, I'm hoping it's just not finished or there was something with that scene (and they reflection from the Jumbo Tron) that made her look bad.  There's no way CGI has gone backwards from the last movie.

[ICantDoThatDave]

1 hour ago, Tenshinhan said:

This number of people is probably so miniscule relative to the overall audience that the studio wouldn't even hesitate.

Then you haven't been paying attention to the last 5 years of Marvel movies' box office returns.  Or the internet over the past few days.

1 hour ago, Tenshinhan said:

Except that it does serve a purpose.  If it didn't serve a purpose, then the decision would not have been made in the first place.  

Any other actual purpose then.  If you truly think balancing the gender roles in films is an actual legitimate purpose that should be pursued, then I look forward to hearing that take echoed when the cast of Barbie 2 is announced.

[baldryanr]

2 hours ago, Shannon L. said:

With Pedro Pascal's booming popularity, I wouldn't be surprised if he alone brought in a lot of people who would normally skip the movie. 

He'll also cause some purists to sputter with rage and stay away (Reed Richards isn''t Chilean, so screw your agenda, Feige, and how dare you disrespect the comics!)

[Trini]

42 minutes ago, Morrigan2575 said:

The trailer looks good except for the Silver Surfer CGI, I'm hoping it's just not finished or there was something with that scene (and they reflection from the Jumbo Tron) that made her look bad.  There's no way CGI has gone backwards from the last movie.

It looks fine to me. I actually did re-watch the trailer for FF:Rise of Silver Surfer, and the CGI has obviously improved since then. I think there may be a difference in how they are rendering the reflections (slightly less shiny??), but I don't think it looks "bad".  ::shrug::

 

29 minutes ago, ICantDoThatDave said:

Any other actual purpose then.  If you truly think balancing the gender roles in films is an actual legitimate purpose that should be pursued, then I look forward to hearing that take echoed when the cast of Barbie 2 is announced.

I'm the one who mentioned gender balance. That might be one reason, but I'm guessing there are other story reasons as well. But as far as I can tell, TPTB haven't addressed why specifically. And yes, in a genre and medium that's been male-dominated for decades, I think it's a good goal to pursue. Women would also like to see themselves onscreen, and have money to spend too.

What does that have to do with Barbie?

[ICantDoThatDave]

Well, I mean it seems obvious to me that there are some successful male-dominated genres & films that some, but not the majority obviously, females also already enjoy them. And they made billions when they stuck to that.

There are also some female-oriented genres & films that some, but not the majority obviously, males also enjoy the way they are, & they also made billions.

Barbie is a good example to me because if studios say to themselves: "Barbie was a huge success! But... what if we tried to attract more males to our movie? Genius, right?!" is an absurd concept.

If they made Barbie 2 more male-balanced, maybe gender-swapped some of the Barbies, maybe added some gun-fights & explosions... what would happen would be that they actually would not attract more male viewers & would alienate their current mostly female audience.

I mean, I don't mean to twist your words, but in regards to Barbie does this sentiment make sense? "in a genre and medium that's been [female]-dominated for decades, I think [pursuing more men is] a good goal to pursue." Is it really a good goal to pursue? If you want to make money that is?

It's totally OK for some genres to be male-targeting & others to be female-targeting.

Trying to alter Disney princess movies in order to pursue more males is a losing strategy, IMO. Trying to make Conan the Barbarian more female-oriented is a losing strategy, IMO.  Same thing here.

[Morrigan2575]

43 minutes ago, Trini said:

looks fine to me. I actually did re-watch the trailer for FF:Rise of Silver Surfer, and the CGI has obviously improved since then. I think there may be a difference in how they are rendering the reflections (slightly less shiny??), but I don't think it looks "bad".  ::shrug::

Normally I don't notice but, th8s one stood out. Hopefully it looks different when the film releases. 

The Mr Fantastic CGI didn't look great either but, I chalk that up to just being a silly looking power outside of comics.

 

[Kel Varnsen]

1 hour ago, ICantDoThatDave said:

Then you haven't been paying attention to the last 5 years of Marvel movies' box office returns.  Or the internet over the past few days.

Then how do you account for Spider Man No Way Home making more money than any other Spider Man movie? If people were that upset about major changes to comic book characters it wouldn't have made double the next most successful Spider Man movie (which is the original Raimi movie from 2002).

[ICantDoThatDave]

10 minutes ago, Kel Varnsen said:

Then how do you account for Spider Man No Way Home making more money than any other Spider Man movie? If people were that upset about major changes to comic book characters it wouldn't have made double the next most successful Spider Man movie (which is the original Raimi movie from 2002).

I mean, I don't really know how that relates to the discussion, but I'll try to guess.  It was an anomaly  in their track record.  In that Marvel has essentially gone 3-9 in wins/losses post-Endgame: No Way Home, Deadpool & Wolverine, & Guardians 3.

The rest either barely broke even or lost money.  And studios don't make movies to do either.

A few successes don't invalidate my point.  3 "hits" out of 12 attempts makes you a decent-but-average baseball player but certainly don't make you a successful movie studio.

EDIT: Plus, in No Way Home's case, Marvel only received 25% of the profit, due to the deal they have with Sony regarding the rights to Spider-Man. So, still counts, but not exactly a huge win for Marvel.

Edited April 21 by ICantDoThatDave

[shrewd.buddha]

Similar casting issues were hotly debated after the announcement of the 2015 film "Fantastic Four" (Fan4stic).
 Michael B. Jordan was cast as Johnny Storm.
People were adamant that audiences wouldn't care .. and wouldn't be confused by Kate Mara as his sister.
... and the casting actually didn't matter... 
.. because there were so many other issues with that movie.
I think the same will be true for this one. It's all about the final product.

Edited April 21 by shrewd.buddha

[iarwain]

17 hours ago, Tenshinhan said:

If it were truly about people not liking their favorite characters being changed, then they would simply say so.  Instead, they typically include comments about how Disney has an "agenda" or how they are injecting "politics" into the movies and so on. 

Well, Disney does have an agenda.  That much at least is clear.

 

12 minutes ago, shrewd.buddha said:

Similar casting issues were hotly debated after the announcement of the 2015 film "Fantastic Four" (Fan4stic).

Now THAT movie was awful.  Did you see what they did with Dr. Doom?  Ugh.  But it was wall to wall awful.

Even the first two FF movies screwed up Dr. Doom.  Dr. Doom doesn't have any powers.  He's like Iron Man (but also dabbles in mysticism).  For some reason movie makers like to give him electrical powers like he's the villain from Howard the Duck or something.

[Trini]

22 minutes ago, ICantDoThatDave said:

It's totally OK for some genres to be male-targeting & others to be female-targeting.

Sure. And some can be both! That way even more money!!

 

23 minutes ago, ICantDoThatDave said:

Barbie is a good example to me because if studios say to themselves: "Barbie was a huge success! But... what if we tried to attract more males to our movie? Genius, right?!" is an absurd concept.

If they made Barbie 2 more male-balanced, maybe gender-swapped some of the Barbies, maybe added some gun-fights & explosions... what would happen would be that they actually would not attract more male viewers & would alienate their current mostly female audience.

I mean, I don't mean to twist your words, but in regards to Barbie does this sentiment make sense? "in a genre and medium that's been [female]-dominated for decades, I think [pursuing more men is] a good goal to pursue." Is it really a good goal to pursue? If you want to make money that is?

Actually, I don't think Barbie is a good example because it's the exception, not the rule.

Which 'female-dominated genre' is it that you think Barbie represents, exactly?

You seem to think that "female-oriented genres and films" are on a level playing field with "male-oriented genres and films", but they are NOT.

Sure, if they want to add more waxed hardbodies and action to a possible Barbie sequel, that's fine with me; but the producers aren't going to do that to attract more men or feature more men because there's already a dozen other movies aimed at or featuring mostly men -- because that's the norm.

 

44 minutes ago, ICantDoThatDave said:

Trying to alter Disney princess movies in order to pursue more males is a losing strategy, IMO. Trying to make Conan the Barbarian more female-oriented is a losing strategy, IMO.  Same thing here.

LOL! Disney ALREADY does this. With success.

I don't know if anyone is asking that about Conan; Y'all could just give us Red Sonja, though.

Bringing this back to First Steps; they used a different character, Shalla Bal - from the source material - but Norrin Radd is still male. So it's not a true genderswap.

[Terrafamilia]

On 4/20/2025 at 9:03 AM, Kel Varnsen said:

So is anyone still angry that Everett K. Ross wasn't some kind of State Department bureaucrat

[Raises hand]. Not angry, just a bit ticked off. Why even bother calling the movie character by the name of the comic book character if he isn't going to be that character?

[Tenshinhan]

1 hour ago, Trini said:

Bringing this back to First Steps; they used a different character, Shalla Bal - from the source material - but Norrin Radd is still male. So it's not a true genderswap.

To be fair, it's still a gender swap since Shalla Bal is fulfilling Norrin Radd's role from the original story.  And Shalla Bal herself is a comparatively minor character whose time as a Silver Surfer was brief.

[ICantDoThatDave]

1 hour ago, Trini said:

Sure. And some can be both! That way even more money!!

Sure! Agreed! Marvel movies already (Iron Man 1 through Endgame) was both. More male than female audience, sure, but massive $$$.

But post-Endgame they started trying to... some sort of weird social engineering. Instead of just keep telling stories & making movies which attracted both genders in massive numbers (again, granted, more male than female, which should be fine).

1 hour ago, Trini said:

Actually, I don't think Barbie is a good example because it's the exception, not the rule.

Which 'female-dominated genre' is it that you think Barbie represents, exactly?

You seem to think that "female-oriented genres and films" are on a level playing field with "male-oriented genres and films", but they are NOT.

I don't think Barbie represents "female-oriented genres and films", but it was clearly a female-oriented film.  Which is totally fine! It simply makes for a good counter-example.

I think Marvel films started out as a "male-oriented genre", with, of course, some female fans. No big deal.

My point was that if studios look at the success of Barbie & say to themselves: "Wow, we have a very successful female-oriented film. What if we made it more male-oriented to attract a wider audience?!?" then they would be... um, dumb?

Take the audience you have. Appreciate the audience you have. You have a massive audience, even if it's not exactly 50-50.

If they looked at Barbie's success & said to themselves: "females love this! what if we made Barbie 2 more male-oriented & that would make us even more money?!" then that would be just dumb.

1 hour ago, Trini said:

Sure, if they want to add more waxed hardbodies and action to a possible Barbie sequel, that's fine with me

That's totally fine with me, but that would be done to attract more women to the existing Barbie audience.

My analogy is: "make some of the existing Barbies into men & add more gun-fights & explosions to add more males to our existing audience mostly female audience which we take for granted". An absurd idea.

1 hour ago, Trini said:

I don't know if anyone is asking that about Conan; Y'all could just give us Red Sonja, though.

Red Sonja would be great. I'm all for it. But that's very different than some studio exec saying "we need to make Conan appeal to a more female audience". Know your audience.

1 hour ago, Trini said:

Bringing this back to First Steps; they used a different character, Shalla Bal - from the source material - but Norrin Radd is still male. So it's not a true genderswap.

It is for Silver Surfer fans. Some people love that character & grew up with him.  To go back to back to Barbie, & this is not a perfect analogy, but imagine if the next Barbie film was called Barbie 2: Ken's Journey.

[ICantDoThatDave]

8 minutes ago, Tenshinhan said:

To be fair, it's still a gender swap since Shalla Bal is fulfilling Norrin Radd's role from the original story.  And Shalla Bal herself is a comparatively minor character whose time as a Silver Surfer was brief.

True. It's important to the story that Norrin Radd is male. In the initial comics he turns against Galactus on our world because Sue (originally Alicia in the comic, but if you want to short-hand it in a movie, Sue works, as in the '07 film) reminded him of Shalla-Ball.

[iarwain]

53 minutes ago, ICantDoThatDave said:

True. It's important to the story that Norrin Radd is male. In the initial comics he turns against Galactus on our world because Sue (originally Alicia in the comic, but if you want to short-hand it in a movie, Sue works, as in the '07 film) reminded him of Shalla-Ball.

Maybe in this movie Shalla will like the looks of Reed  😊

[Tenshinhan]

1 hour ago, ICantDoThatDave said:

But post-Endgame they started trying to... some sort of weird social engineering.

What exactly do you mean by "weird social engineering"?  Can you be more specific?

1 hour ago, ICantDoThatDave said:

It's important to the story that Norrin Radd is male.

No it's not.  The fact that Alicia reminded Radd of Shalla-Bal is in no way essential to the story, and could easily be re-imagined through different characters and circumstances.

 

[Trini]

3 hours ago, ICantDoThatDave said:

But post-Endgame they started trying to... some sort of weird social engineering. Instead of just keep telling stories & making movies which attracted both genders in massive numbers (again, granted, more male than female, which should be fine).

I don't know what you mean here either. But that's probably for a different thread.

3 hours ago, ICantDoThatDave said:

I think Marvel films started out as a "male-oriented genre", with, of course, some female fans. No big deal.

3 hours ago, ICantDoThatDave said:

Know your audience.

Thinking the genre is only for only for a specific demographic may be part of your problem here.

 

3 hours ago, ICantDoThatDave said:

If they looked at Barbie's success & said to themselves: "females love this! what if we made Barbie 2 more male-oriented & that would make us even more money?!" then that would be just dumb.

[...]

My analogy is: "make some of the existing Barbies into men & add more gun-fights & explosions to add more males to our existing audience mostly female audience which we take for granted". An absurd idea.

Yeah, I got your analogy the first time. And like I said before, it doesn't work in reverse; males are already over-represented.

Also since Barbie was already inclusive (another reason why this example is bad), Ken and other Kens were main characters and had a journey so your hypothetical sequel is a non-starter.

Back to First Steps: Maybe some 'fans' can cool the outrage until we see what they're actually doing with the story? I'm just speculating, but it could very well be that they introduce Norrin Radd through Shalla Bal.  Plus this is already in an alternate Marvel universe; they may have done the switch just to show that specifically. We'll probably see Norrin in the main continuity if everyone can be cool about it.

[shrewd.buddha]

14 hours ago, ICantDoThatDave said:

In the initial comics he turns against Galactus on our world because Sue (originally Alicia in the comic, but if you want to short-hand it in a movie, Sue works, as in the '07 film) reminded him of Shalla-Ball.

 

13 hours ago, iarwain said:

Maybe in this movie Shalla will like the looks of Reed  😊

The most recent preview reveals that Sue is pregnant - so that's probably going to be the angle: they may bond over motherhood. 
  Which is better than trying to attract a female audience with a The Real Housewives of Planet Earth angle. [comedic rimshot]

Edited April 22 by shrewd.buddha
clarification

[iarwain]

Originally people were saying that the Fantastic Four was probably going to fail to stop Galactus, and that he would destroy their Earth.  And the FF would journey to the MCU universe, sort of like how Captain America came into the present time at the end of his first movie.  

More recently that idea has come into question, and some think they will save their Earth from Galactus.  It's possible they do stay on their Earth at the end of the movie, and still appear in Avengers:  Doomsday.  Since apparently Doom is pulling heroes and villains from different multiverses for that movie - he could pull the Fantastic Four from their Earth.

[Trini]

'Julia Garner talks playing Silver Surfer in 'Fantastic Four: First Steps' '

[BetterButter]

 

[iarwain]

I love the Fantastic Four.  Always have.  Lee and Kirby's greatest creation.

[BetterButter]

Matthew Wood To Voice H.E.R.B.I.E. In Marvel’s ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’

[iarwain]

There had been a lot of conjecture that the Fantastic Four were actually from the 616 main MCU universe, but had somehow been trapped into the Retro Futuristic multiverse that's in the movie.  They were supposedly keeping this "big secret".  I haven't heard that theory being talked about lately, and there is no suggestion of that in the trailer.  So I don't know if that part is out the window or not.  

I've also heard that Marvel has big plans for the X-Men, and that there have been something like eight or nine mutant projects announced for after the Avengers:  Doomsday movie.  Understandable, since the X-Men are very popular and they have  a LOT of mutant characters.  But I haven't heard a thing about a possible sequel for the Fantastic Four. 

I guess they're going to wait and see how this one does before even thinking about a second one.  I really want this movie to succeed, but I'm a little nervous because Marvel's recent track record has not been good.  And has the public given up on the FF?  Or was there much interest even there to begin with?  Obviously they were big in the '60s, but more recently?

[tv echo]

Edited May 21 by tv echo

[tv echo]

New NBA Western Conference Finals ad promoting The Fantastic Four: First Steps was posted on Marvel Studios' Instagram on May 24...
https://www.instagram.com/p/DKC0HlcJckK/

(ClipMania1)

[iarwain]

Since the Fantastic Four are based in New York, I would think they would be more interested in the Eastern Conference Finals and rooting for the Knicks.  Although I'm hoping the Pacers win.

[baldryanr]

The sports discourse would be hilarious in a world with powers.  Improbable bounce?  Clearly a telekinetic or invisible person intervened.  Someone playing really well?  That person has powers.  Refs doing a bad job?  A telepath is controlling them.

[iarwain]

I wonder what the minimum box office for this movie is for Marvel/Disney to consider it successful?  I've heard speculation that this will likely pull in $500 million at least.  Which would be okay, but I'm sure they're hoping for at least a little more.

[baldryanr]

It's not the same, but to be profitable a movie generally needs to make 2-3 times its budget, with the actual number likely being closer to 3.  This movie probably has a budget around $200 million, so $500 million probably won't be enough to break even.

In any case, no matter what happens I'm sure there will be a vocal set of fans who are happy to call the movie a failure and yet another in a long string of projects proving the MCU has lost its way.

[tv echo]

There will be a Fantastic Four: First Steps panel at CCXPMX25 on May 31 (tomorrow)...

The Fantastic Four: First Steps Is The MCU’s Chance To ‘Do Them Justice’, Says Kevin Feige
By Ben Travis   May 29, 2025
https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/fantastic-four-first-steps-mcu-do-them-justice-kevin-feige-exclusive/ 

Quote

Marvel boss Kevin Feige knows how pivotal it is to get the Fantastic Four right. “I think that there are no four characters that are more important for the history of Marvel,” he tells Empire in the world-exclusive The Fantastic Four: First Steps issue. And as soon as the rights came up for Marvel Studios to tell their story, the mantle was set. “When Disney bought Fox, it was really an unexpected dream come true,” Feige explains. “It came at the perfect time, to help us launch into a new era. They are Marvel’s First Family, and I really wanted to do them justice.”
*  *  *
Having produced Tim Story’s films two decades ago, when comic book blockbusters were in a very different place, Feige is now ready to go all-out. “There was still a bit of fear of being silly,” he says of those films. Now, it’s time to embrace the ‘60s retro-future; the groovy cosmic vibes; and, yes, a comic-accurate depiction of planet-eating baddie Galactus, no longer rendered cinematically as a giant cloud. “In another time, some might consider the notion of somebody with a big, angular helmet walking through a city goofy,” Feige says. “I consider it awesome.” Strap in: the Four are finally ready to be truly fantastic.

Edited Friday at 12:29 PM by tv echo

[tv echo]

Pedro Pascal Sees ‘A Limitless Amount Of Layers’ To Reed Richards In The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Ben Travis   May 30, 2025
https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/fantastic-four-pedro-pascal-reed-richards-limitless-layers-exclusive/ 

Quote

So when Pedro Pascal agreed to take on the role in Matt Shakman’s retro-futurist comic book adventure, there was plenty for him to dig into. “I see a limitless amount of layers to this character,” he tells Empire. As well as facing impending parenthood, alongside Vanessa Kirby’s pregnant Sue Storm, Reed’s alternate-Earth is in the path of planet-eating cosmic behemoth Galactus – plenty for the character’s super-sized mind to mull over. “He does the ultimate version of catastrophising,” teases Pascal. “A brain that has an overview of threats on a mathematical level, but also being emotionally available. It was a fascinating contradiction.”

Vanessa Kirby ‘Out-Nerded Everyone’ On The Fantastic Four: ‘I Got So Into Quantum Physics’
Ben Travis   May 30, 2025
https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/vanessa-kirby-fantastic-four-out-nerded-everyone-exclusive/ 

Quote

“I’m such a Sue nerd,” Kirby tells Empire, in the world-exclusive The Fantastic Four: First Steps issue, looking back on her first meeting at Marvel. “I think I out-nerded everyone in that room.” That carried on into her preparation for the role once she was handed the blue spandex. Storm’s powers – to bend and manipulate light, so she can render herself invisible, create shielding forcefields, and propel energy blasts from her hands – had Kirby exploring hardcore levels of science. “I got so into quantum physics,” she laughs. “It’s sad how much I got into it. I could waffle on about cellular vibration frequency.” This version of the character, director Matt Shakman says, is “the inspiring, idealistic, leader of what the Fantastic Four represents, as she is in some of the later comic runs. She’s essentially the Secretary-General of the UN.”

[tv echo]

From CCXPMX25 (México) on May 31...

The Fantastic Four: First Steps Panel at CCXP MX | Marvel Studios, Pedro Pascal and more
omeleteve   Streamed live on May 31, 2025

THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS Debuts New Poster And Action-Packed Clip At CCXPMX 25
By JoshWilding - Jun 01, 2025 
https://comicbookmovie.com/fantastic-four/the-fantastic-four-first-steps-debuts-new-poster-and-action-packed-clip-at-ccxpmx-25-a220921#gs.mp2p7w

Quote

Marvel Studios took The Fantastic Four: First Steps to the CCXPMX event in Mexico and shared the first clip from the movie with those in attendance. Unfortunately, that's yet to be released—or leaked—online, but we do have a detailed description. 
*  *  *
If this first clip is any indication,

Spoiler

the stakes will be incredibly high as the Fantastic Four attempt to protect the unborn Franklin Richards from the Silver Surfer (it appears rumours that Galactus wants the child were correct).

According to @omelete, "The Four are inside their ship and Sue is starting to go into labor. But the Silver Surfer is chasing them. Ben takes over the ship and starts trying to dodge her. They jump into a kind of hyperspace. The CGI is GREAT. We see Reed stretching and using his powers. The Surfer almost reaches Sue's belly. She wants the baby."

"Johnny takes over the ship's cannons and tries to shoot the Surfer. He makes jokes about her being sexy. Meanwhile, Sue continues to have contractions. Reed tells Ben to go into a black hole. Ben gets worried. Reed tells him to trust. End of scene," the breakdown concludes. 

Edited Sunday at 12:19 PM by tv echo

[iarwain]

On 5/30/2025 at 7:21 AM, baldryanr said:

in any case, no matter what happens I'm sure there will be a vocal set of fans who are happy to call the movie a failure and yet another in a long string of projects proving the MCU has lost its way.

I'm looking forward to the movie.  But unfortunately, Disney has alienated a very large number of people with their insistence on pushing their politics and various agendas into their content.  Therefore, many people view every release with suspicion and as something to be panned.

[tv echo]

Vanessa Kirby Is Pregnant, Debuts Baby Bump at Fantastic Four Event
By Corinne Heller   Jun 01, 2025
https://www.eonline.com/news/1418197/vanessa-kirby-is-pregnant-debuts-baby-bump 

Quote

The actress is pregnant with her first child. The 37-year-old revealed the news on the red carpet at a panel event for The Fantastic Four: First Steps during the CCXPMX Film Festival in Mexico City May 31, cradling her baby bump in a shimmering, high neck, sleeveless teal Schiaparelli gown.

Edited Monday at 11:12 AM by tv echo

[tv echo]

General Mills Gives Its Cereals and Mascots a Heroic Makeover with Marvel Studios’ “The Fantastic Four: First Steps”
The lineup of limited-edition cereal boxes brings classic icons and fantastic Super Heroes together with seven collectible, retro-futuristic designs.
News Release    June 2, 2025
https://www.generalmills.com/news/press-releases/general-mills-gives-its-cereals-and-mascots-a-heroic-makeover-with-marvel-studios-the-fantastic-four 

Quote

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — General Mills is bringing Mister Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch and The Thing to the cereal aisle with a special series of cereal boxes inspired by Marvel Studios’ “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” in theaters July 25. A limited run of replica Lucky Charms cereal boxes — resembling those seen in the film — will also be released as part of the collaboration in July.

“This collaboration unites two iconic universes together, our beloved cereal mascots like Buzz the Bee and Lucky the Leprechaun and Marvel’s First Family,” said Dayna Needham, Manager, Brand Experience, Portfolio and Division Events at General Mills. “The specially designed cereal boxes are reimagined with a nostalgic ’60s design flair to celebrate wonder, nostalgia and fandom over the breakfast table.”

Edited Monday at 01:59 PM by tv echo

[iarwain]

5 hours ago, tv echo said:

Vanessa Kirby Is Pregnant, Debuts Baby Bump at Fantastic Four Event

Well, that's a coincidence, isn't it?

[tv echo]

[iarwain]

I was reading this article, and I hope this bit isn't true:  This is from someone who saw a test screening, and he says that Reed doesn't stretch into any "crazy shapes".  How can you have a Fantastic Four movie without having Reed turn into a ball or a wall or something?  Just stretching his arm isn't going to be that impressive, come on have a little more imagination than that.

There's also a complaint that the Thing doesn't have a Brooklyn accent.  I think Ben sounds okay in the trailer, but I agree he should have a Brooklyn accent.  He was supposed to be Jack Kirby's alter ego.  I also heard somewhere else that the Thing was "hardly in it".  That would be bad if true.  I'm concerned they don't want to spend the CGI money on the FF using their powers.   If there's ever a movie where you want to see heroes using their powers, it's this one.

https://comicbookmovie.com/fantastic-four/the-fantastic-four-first-steps-test-screening-reactions-misinterpreted-movie-received-excellent-scores-a220913#gs.m7sjwz

[tv echo]

Tickets on sale starting today...

(source)

[tv echo]

The spoiler-tagged info is unconfirmed...

THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS Director Reveals Whether Doctor Doom Will Appear - SPOILERS
By Mark Cassidy   June 3, 2025
https://comicbookmovie.com/fantastic-four/the-fantastic-four-first-steps-director-reveals-whether-doctor-doom-will-appear---spoilers-a220975#gs.m7vczz 

Quote

While speaking to Empire for the movie mag's latest issue, Shakman stated: "Doom is not a part of my film, and therefore not a part of my purview."

 

According to a few different sources, the post-credits scene that was attached to a recent test-screening did feature the villain, with Sue Storm returning to Franklin's crib to find Doom sitting beside the boy while holding his mask in his hands (he doesn't actually say anything, as far as we know).

‘The Fantastic Four’ Director Matt Shakman Reveals the ‘Magical’ Comics That Inspired the Film in ‘Small and Large Ways’ (EXCLUSIVE)
By Adam B. Vary   June 2, 2025
https://variety.com/2025/film/news/fantastic-four-matt-shakman-marvel-comics-inspiration-1236415871/ 

Quote

Beyond his extensive resume, Shakman’s biggest qualification for the job is his love for the Fantastic Four comics, as demonstrated in the foreward the filmmaker penned for the new Marvel Premiere Collection release, “Fantastic Four: Solve Everything” — which Variety is exclusively previewing below.

The volume, which goes on sale June 3, is a streamlined collection of Fantastic Four comics published between 2009 and 2011 (i.e. issues #570–588) written by Jonathan Hickman, with art by Dale Eaglesham, Neil Edwards and Steve Epting, and cover art by Joe Quesada. In his foreward, Shakman singles out Hickman’s work — and this particular run of issues — as a major influence on the new “Fantastic Four” movie. Among several curious allusions to FF storylines and characters, the director specifically cites three of Hickman’s inventions — Reed’s philanthropic Future Foundation, the multiverse portal the Bridge, and the interdimensional Council of Reeds. How these may (or may not) be incorporated into the movie remains to be seen, but Shakman’s love for the comics, and for these characters, is abundantly clear.

Fantastic Four: Solve Everything
Foreward By Matt Shakman
*  *  *
In preparation for Marvel Studios’ “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” I delved into the 60-plus years of comics history. Marvel’s First Family has been continuously cared for by the best and brightest the company had to offer. None shone so bright as Jonathan Hickman. The humor and heart I loved as a kid? It’s there and better than ever. The messy family dynamics? Made even more interesting as Val and Franklin take center stage. And that sense of optimism and wonder? I don’t think the Fantastic Four have been quite as fantastic as they are in the pages of this book.

As we developed the script for the film, I returned again and again to this epic run — thrilled by brain-bending innovations like the Council of Reeds and riveted by heroic standoffs against the likes of Annihilus. But it was Hickman’s deep insight into the specific family dynamics of the Four that affected me the most.
*  *  *
Having absorbed six decades of F4 publishing, many of Hickman’s magical moments and unique character dynamics stick with me. And they made it into our film in small and large ways. From Sue as a diplomat to Reed trying to solve everything even at the risk of imperiling his family. Johnny’s need to be taken seriously. Ben’s gentle nature, forever at odds with his appearance. The Future Foundation. The Bridge. The mystery of children and the anxiety we have as parents about their future.

Edited 16 hours ago by tv echo