The MCU has finally unwrapped its plans for Marvel’s first family, and yes, they’re skipping the awkward phase. “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” is Marvel Studios’ fresh attempt at bringing Reed, Sue, Johnny, and Ben into the universe—this time with a 1960s twist, a multiverse loophole, and a cast that’s already triggering fancast vindication across the internet. Here’s everything we know so far about this buzzy Phase 6 kickoff.
The Latest News About The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Marvel Studios officially dropped the first teaser for “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” confirming the long-rumored retrofuturistic vibe. Set in an alternate 1960s Earth, this isn’t your sacred timeline’s New York. There’s a family dynamic front and center, with all four members getting screen time to flex their powers—except, curiously, for Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards, who keeps his stretching to himself. It’s a bold aesthetic shift from the usual Marvel gloss, which might be exactly what the franchise needs right now.
CinemaCon 2025 Updates
Marvel brought fresh footage to CinemaCon 2025, and it didn’t disappoint. The biggest reveal? Sue Storm is pregnant. Vanessa Kirby’s version of Sue is expecting, which puts a whole new spin on the film’s title, “First Steps,” and adds another layer to the family dynamic Marvel’s leaning into.
Fans also got their first glimpse of Julia Garner in full Silver Surfer mode. Playing Shalla-Bal instead of Norrin Radd, Garner’s look drew applause for being both sleek and intense—a fresh cosmic take that’s worlds away from the 2007 version.
The footage reaffirmed the film’s commitment to its 1960s retro-futuristic setting, with vintage sci-fi aesthetics influencing everything from the tech to the skyline. Kevin Feige previously hinted this would be an alternate Earth, and the CinemaCon preview doubled down on that idea.
When Is The Fantastic Four: First Steps Coming Out?
“The Fantastic Four: First Steps” is set to hit theaters on July 25, 2025. That marks six years since Kevin Feige first name-dropped the team at San Diego Comic-Con 2019. Jon Watts was initially tapped to direct but bowed out in 2022 after wrapping the Spider-Man trilogy. Matt Shakman (“WandaVision”) is now in the director’s chair, guiding the MCU’s Phase 6 opener.
Who’s In The Cast of The Fantastic Four: First Steps?
Marvel dropped the Valentine’s Day equivalent of casting bombs by confirming the core four:
- Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards / Mr. Fantastic
- Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm / Invisible Woman
- Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm / Human Torch
- Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm / The Thing
Supporting roles include:
- Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal / Silver Surfer (not Norrin Radd, for once)
- Ralph Ineson as Galactus (yes, the big purple one, finally done right)
- Paul Walter Hauser, John Malkovich, and Natasha Lyonne in mystery roles
According to Marvel’s February reveal, the cast plays into years of fan speculation—especially Pascal and Kirby, who’ve been front-runners in Reddit threads and fancast TikToks since the dawn of Phase 4.
Watch the Trailer: The Vibes Are 1960s Sci-Fi Meets MCU
The teaser trailer for “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” is more mood board than blockbuster sizzle reel, but it works. There’s a glimpse of Galactus looming over the Statue of Liberty (he’s finally comic-accurate, massive, and terrifying), but don’t expect action montages. Instead, the trailer leans hard into its period setting, with raygun futurism and domestic drama vibes.
Sue, Johnny, and Ben all get small showcases of their powers, while Reed is conspicuously power-free. No sign of Silver Surfer yet, and absolutely zero Doctor Doom teases—which makes the whole thing feel more like a slow burn origin story than a crash-bang spectacle.
What’s the Story of The Fantastic Four: First Steps?
Kevin Feige confirmed on The Official Marvel Podcast that the film is a period piece set in an alternate universe, nodding to the off-kilter 1960s skyline in the teaser. That explains why Marvel’s First Family hasn’t shown up in previous MCU events—they’ve been chilling in their own branch of the multiverse.
The plot revolves around Galactus (played by Ineson) attempting to devour their version of Earth. Shalla-Bal shows up as the Silver Surfer instead of the classic Norrin Radd. It’s a massive-scale story that might not resolve in this film alone, especially if Galactus is set to become a major Phase 6 antagonist.
The synopsis hints that things get “very personal,” which is MCU-speak for: Doctor Doom might show up. Matt Shakman has been playing coy, but there’s persistent chatter that Robert Downey Jr. could make his return as a variant of Doom. If true, it would instantly reframe the Multiverse Saga and give The Fantastic Four a dramatic connection to the upcoming “Avengers: Doomsday.”
How Does The Fantastic Four Fit Into the MCU Timeline?
The movie kicks off Phase 6 and takes place in an alternate 1960s Earth—definitely not the mainline MCU. This gives Marvel a sandbox to play in without bumping elbows with continuity baggage. It also conveniently explains the team’s absence from all major MCU events so far.
But with “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars” on the horizon, the multiverse cracks are already forming. Expect The Fantastic Four to be pulled into the main timeline by the end of their debut film. And if Doom (especially a variant played by RDJ) is a part of the picture, introducing him now sets the stage for a much more personal showdown than whatever Kang variant was originally supposed to headline the saga.
What We’re Watching For
- A fresh MCU aesthetic with a retro sci-fi setting
- Galactus as a potential multiverse-level threat
- Doom’s slow-burn introduction ahead of Avengers: Doomsday
- Julia Garner’s twist on Silver Surfer canon
- The inevitable team-up (or clash) with mainline Avengers
- Sue Storm’s pregnancy storyline adding emotional stakes
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