The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Release Date
July 25, 2025
Director
Matt Shakman
Writers
Josh Friedman, Jeff Kaplan, Ian Springer
Franchise(s)
Marvel Cinematic Universe
The Fantastic Four’s Bond as a Family Is Front and Center
The Fantastic Four: First Steps quickly establishes that it wants to hone in on one major element of the Fantastic Four — that above all else, they’re a family. The very first scene has Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal) and his wife Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby) telling a reporter that the Four eat dinner every Sunday night as a family. Next up is Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), aka the Thing, who’s shown to be cooking in the kitchen with the Four’s robot assistant, H.E.R.B.I.E. Ben even congratulates H.E.R.B.I.E. on getting the spaghetti sauce right, which may double as a nod to Moss-Bachrach’s role on The Bear.
But there are also some somber moments, particularly in a conversation between Reed and Sue. “Before we went up the first time, you couldn’t turn invisible…Ben wasn’t a rock…and Johnny never caught fire,” he says, which is intercut with clips of Sue’s brother Johnny (Joseph Quinn) utilizing his fiery abilities as the Human Torch, and the fateful space flight that gave the Four their powers. Sue is quick to reassure her husband: “Ben has always been a rock. Johnny is…Johnny. And I am right here. Whatever life throws at us, we’ll face it together, as a family.” To back this up, other scenes are shown of Ben and Sue having a heart-to-heart, Reed and Sue in a deep embrace, and Sue walking in on Johnny goofing off.
Galactus Is Teased as the Fantastic Four’s Next Big Bad
Sue’s words couldn’t be more prophetic, as the closing moments of The Fantastic Four: First Steps’s trailer features the first look at Galactus, who will be played by Ralph Ineson (The Green Knight, Nosferatu). The Devourer of Worlds doesn’t just tower over the whole of New York City but is also sporting his comic-accurate helmet — a far cry from the massive cloud he first appeared as in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. Clouds of fire also mark Galactus’ appearance, and the citizens of New York stare up at the sky, living up to the godly image that Jack Kirby wanted for the character. The First Steps trailer is missing one character: the Silver Surfer, who often acts as Galactus’ herald. First Steps is looking to shake things up as the Surfer isn’t Norrin Radd, but rather his wife Shalla-Bal, and will be played by Julia Garner. Garner herself has remained mum on the Surfer’s role, only teasing the Sentinel of the Spaceway’s “mysterious” qualities.
John Malkovich May Be Playing an Old-School Fantastic Four Villain
Galactus might not be the only threat that the Fantastic Four faces in First Steps. A brief glimpse of John Malkovich is shown, with the actor sporting long white hair and a matching beard. Given the setting of First Steps and Malkovich’s appearance, there are strong hints that he’s playing Ivan Kragoff, aka the Red Ghost. Kragoff first appeared in Fantastic Four #13, where he reveals he is a Communist scientist racing to beat America in the space race. Upon learning about the Fantastic Four, Kragoff switches his focus to replicating the incident that gave them their powers and takes a trio of primates with him: gorilla Mikhlo, baboon Igor, and orangutan Peotor.
Their exposure to cosmic rays granted Kragoff the ability to become intangible, while his apes also gained powers — Mikhlo has super strength, Igor is a shapeshifter, and Peotor can attract and repel objects via gravity. It remains to be seen how Malkovich factors into the plot, whoever he’s playing, but given that the Fantastic Four seem to be established superheroes in First Steps (and the trailer showing them racing into battle with their matching uniforms), opening the film with a battle against the Red Ghost would quickly help set the film apart from previous MCU entries.
The Fantastic Four Will Play a Big Role in Future MCU Projects
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is looking to shake things up in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and it’s clear that the First Family will be playing a big role in future MCU projects. With the introduction of Galactus and the Red Ghost, it’s likely that the Fantastic Four will be facing off against some of the most iconic villains in the Marvel universe. The trailer also hints at a larger universe, with the Fantastic Four seemingly connected to other Marvel heroes and events.
Conclusion
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is shaping up to be a game-changer in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. With its focus on the Fantastic Four’s bond as a family, the introduction of Galactus and the Red Ghost, and the promise of a larger universe, this film is sure to be an exciting addition to the MCU.
FAQs
Q: When is The Fantastic Four: First Steps releasing?
A: The Fantastic Four: First Steps is releasing on July 25, 2025.
Q: Who is directing The Fantastic Four: First Steps?
A: Matt Shakman is directing The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
Q: Who is playing Galactus in The Fantastic Four: First Steps?
A: Ralph Ineson is playing Galactus in The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
Q: Who is playing the Silver Surfer in The Fantastic Four: First Steps?
A: Julia Garner is playing Shalla-Bal, the wife of the Silver Surfer, in The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
Q: Who is playing the Red Ghost in The Fantastic Four: First Steps?
A: John Malkovich may be playing Ivan Kragoff, aka the Red Ghost, in The Fantastic Four: First Steps.