Marvel’s reboot of its original superhero team, Fantastic Four: First Steps, has finally been revealed to select members of the press—and the reactions are sparking excitement. Indeed, critics are praising it as a “visual feast” and highlighting the “snappy, confident storytelling” that defines Matt Shakman’s direction.
All in all, early buzz suggests that this is the MCU’s strongest Fantastic Four adaptation to date, seamlessly bringing emotional depth and cosmic spectacle together in one thrilling ride.
Fantastic Four: First Steps Wows with Retro-Futuristic Flair
Additionally, Matt Neglia, editor-in-chief of Next Best Picture, offered high praise for Fantastic Four: First Steps on X. He wrote,
“It lives up to the name of ‘fantastic.’ Excellent chemistry among the four leads. A delightful retro-futuristic vibe that feels fresh and nostalgic at once.”
He further added,
“Combined with Matt Shakman’s snappy, confident storytelling, this is an intriguing & satisfying first step for Marvel’s new team (easily the best depiction of this quartet on-screen to date) as the MCU continues to regain control of the ship & steer it closer to ‘Doomsday.’”
Furthermore, Neglia’s review aligns with growing enthusiasm for the film, with many seeing it as a strong course correction for the MCU.
Reactions Compare the Film to Interstellar
Additionally, entertainment journalist Brandon Davis also took to X to share his thoughts on the film. He wrote:
“Fantastic Four was one of the best things Marvel has ever done”
Furthermore, he compared the visuals to those of Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar. He continued:
“Galactus is awesome. Silver Surfer looks really, really good. VFX were often immaculate.”
Ultimately, Davis concluded by saying:
“Cosmically and on Earth, Matt Shakman dropped a visual feast.”
Overall, his remarks echo the growing buzz surrounding Fantastic Four: First Steps—a film that seems to deliver both grounded emotion and cosmic spectacle.
A Visually Stunning Adventure in the MCU
Ultimately, the biggest takeaway from these early reactions is the overwhelming appreciation for the film’s visuals and character work. For instance, according to Sharareh Drury of People, the movie was nothing short of “breathtaking.” She singled out Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby, who play Reed Richards and Susan Storm, saying:
“Stunning visuals, a moving story, witty banter and epic action. Marvel’s First Family delivers one awesome ride,” she wrote.
“Pedro Pascal nails it as Mr. Fantastic. Vanessa Kirby stands out as Sue Storm – she’s a shooting star.”
Fantastic Four: First Steps Cast Draws Major Applause
In addition to Pascal and Kirby, the movie also stars Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm (Human Torch) and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm (The Thing). Together, this rebooted lineup of Marvel’s First Family takes on the cosmic threat of Galactus—a world-eating villain teased to shake up the MCU’s cosmic landscape.
Moreover, the film is directed by Matt Shakman, with a screenplay from Josh Friedman, Eric Pearson, and Jeff Kaplan. Notably, it embraces a retro-futuristic 1960s vibe that pays homage to Marvel’s Silver Age, where the Fantastic Four first debuted.
The Red Ghost Was Almost in the Film
Interestingly, in a surprising reveal, Variety reported that John Malkovich had originally been cast as Red Ghost, but the role was ultimately cut. Reflecting on this, Shakman called the decision “heartbreaking,” explaining:
“There were a lot of things that ultimately ended up hitting the cutting room floor,” Shakman said.
“When we were building a ’60s retro-future world, introducing all of these villains, introducing these four main characters as a group, as well as individually, introducing the idea of a child — there was a lot of stuff to balance in this movie and some things had to go ultimately in terms of shaping the film for its final version.”
He added, “I was honored Malkovich had joined the project in the first place.”
With the release date fast approaching, Fantastic Four: First Steps hits theaters on July 24. Meanwhile, fans are already speculating about what this new chapter means for the larger MCU. As anticipation continues to build, the Fantastic Four officially step into the spotlight—and their arrival is expected to play a major role leading up to Avengers: Secret Wars.
Additionally, the supporting cast includes Ralph Ineson, Julia Garner, Natasha Lyonne, Sarah Niles, and Paul Walter Hauser, further rounding out an ensemble that blends star power with promising newcomers.
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