10 Mysteries Left by Fantastic Four: First Steps Trailer

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At long last, the long-awaited trailer for “The Fantastic Four” has been unveiled, introducing viewers to a plethora of fresh problems and personalities. Julia Garner’s portrayal of Silver Surfer has made its debut, alongside Mark Gatiss as talk show host Ted Gilbert. Additionally, Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards has finally demonstrated his powers, which were previously hidden in the initial promotional trailer. The trailer also hinted at the true danger that Galactus (Ralph Ineson) poses to the Fantastic Four, as the world calls on them to intervene and save them from impending doom.

Although The Fantastic Four: First Steps trailer presents an exciting beginning for an alternate universe, it doesn’t unveil all its secrets. As ominous threats loom over the team, we can only speculate about the nature of this reality and how well the movie will fare. With plenty of unanswered questions ahead of its release on July 25, there’s much anticipation for what lies ahead.

Doctor Doom Is Essential for the Fantastic Four

Marvel Studios made a splash at this year’s San Diego Comic Con by unveiling that a certain actor will be portraying Doctor Doom in the MCU. Since the initial announcement, Marvel has been rather secretive about providing more details regarding him.

Doctor Doom plays a pivotal role in the Fantastic Four series, serving as their longstanding adversary. Galactus is significant too, but Doom outshines other antagonists. If Downey Jr. is involved in the film, it might be in a minor part during the end credits. Whether he’ll make an appearance or not still remains uncertain.

It May Hint At the Alternate Reality

Through the 2007 movie “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer”, many cinematic viewers have already come across one version of Silver Surfer, specifically Norrin Radd. This cosmic entity, shrouded in tragedy, acts as Galactus’ mighty Herald and is compelled to condemn planets to a premature end. Although his tale is heartrending, Marvel Studios has opted for a different narrative arc when it comes to their Silver Surfer.

In the trailer for “First Steps”, the character previously portrayed as Silver Surfer, Norrin, is now played by Julia Garner’s Shalla-Bal. Known as the former Empress of a doomed world, Shalla-Bal has been a significant love interest for Norrin in the comics since her debut in 1968, in “The Silver Surfer” #1. In certain comic storylines, particularly those set in alternate universes, Shalla-Bal takes on the role of the primary Silver Surfer. This move by Marvel appears to draw inspiration from these stories. However, some fans are already expressing disagreement with this casting choice, as it has stirred up debate and controversy.

The Sauce Scene Was Revealed Twice

In promotional materials for the upcoming “Fantastic Four: First Steps,” our friendly robot character, H.E.R.B.I.E., has made two appearances. Interestingly, each time Ben Grimm, played by Ebon Moss-Bachrach, tries his sauce, he finds that H.E.R.B.I.E. is an exceptional chef. However, details about the part H.E.R.B.I.E. will play in this movie remain undisclosed for now.

It appears rather uncommon for Marvel Studios to invest significantly in designing and promoting a robot, given its substantial screen time, if it were merely going to function as a chef with a minor role. It seems more probable that its true purpose will be more substantial, though at this point, that purpose remains a total enigma. The nature of its role is likely to stay a secret until the movie’s premiere.

Director Matt Shakman Confirmed This Is an Alternate Universe

As a movie buff, I must admit that “First Steps” stands out among the usual Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) productions. Unlike most stories set in our familiar MCU world, this one unfolds entirely within an alternate universe. It’s not just any ordinary universe either, but one that boasts a retro-futuristic 1960s vibe. The arrival of the Fantastic Four has already stirred up this society significantly, but we’re yet to uncover other profound changes that might be lurking around the corner.

The technological gap is significant due to H.E.R.B.I.E., yet it’s unclear exactly where that boundary lies. Reed Richards and Doctor Doom possess intelligence that could potentially redefine a universe independently, but the full implication of those differences remains undefined. A retro-futuristic style adds intrigue, and the ultimate impact of these changes is still to be determined.

Marvel Already Avoided One Stretching Hero

In the trailer for “First Steps”, we got a glimpse of how Reed’s abilities might manifest. Given Marvel’s decision to skip adapting certain elements, there was some apprehension about whether Mr. Fantastic would live up to his name in this film. As it turned out, the first trailer did not showcase Reed’s powers, leaving them a bit of a mystery.

Gladly, the trailer confirms that Reed’s elastic abilities will persist in the movie. A brief scene showcased him stretching from a building, and it’s already sparking debate among viewers. The stretch seems somewhat animated, fitting for his powers, yet retains a semblance of realism. However, whether it will translate convincingly on the big screen is yet to be seen, leaving us all guessing.

These Characters Need To Enter 616

In a different world entirely, the Fantastic Four might not succeed in their quest to thwart Galactus, given that this universe has experienced collapse and destruction in the past. Additionally, other realities have collided during Incursions, potentially enabling heroes to move between one reality and another. However, the full extent of the multiverse is yet to be fully understood or navigated.

What makes things intriguing is that despite the Fantastic Four potentially not being able to save their own world, they can still show up in future Marvel films. This implies that the risks have never been greater because the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) no longer has to guarantee victory for its heroes. Instead, the Fantastic Four must join Earth-616, which means they’ll eventually have to leave their own universe. The destruction of this new world might compel the Fantastic Four to make that transition.

Sue’s Pregnancy Is a Stunning Reveal

As a movie enthusiast, I can’t help but notice that Franklin Richards, the offspring of Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby) and Reed Richards, plays a significant role in this film. The trailer showcases Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn) warming up to his role as an uncle and pondering the unique dynamics of our family. However, it leaves me wondering about Marvel’s intentions for Franklin, as they seem to be introducing him into the storyline.

Indeed, it’s no secret that the comic iteration of this character possesses extraordinary abilities right from birth, making him a reality warper. His immortality, cosmic prowess, and past victories against formidable foes like Onslaught and Mephisto are undeniable. The introduction of such a powerful child in the MCU is fraught with risk, necessitating a well-thought-out strategy from Marvel.

These Movies Share Many Similarities

In July 2025, I won’t be the sole superhero movie gracing the silver screen. Not at all! There’ll even be another retro-futuristic Silver Age adaptation sharing the spotlight with me. The DCU has scheduled a release for their Superman on July 11, 2025, and they’re planning to make their entrance a fortnight prior to when the Fantastic Four step onto the scene.

These studios are relying on these films to freshen up their public profiles among viewers. David Corenswet takes on the role of Clark Kent in Superman, while Fantastic Four presents a brand-new interpretation of these characters. They’ll all be vying for attention against Jurassic World Rebirth as the standout summer blockbuster, but it remains to be seen which movie from the Silver Age era will generate the largest box office revenue.

Marvel Is Slowly Introducing Mutants

Apart from being powerful, Franklin’s prominence within Marvel Comics also stems from his unique ability as a mutant who possesses powers that seem boundless. This makes him an exceptionally valuable individual worldwide, leading organizations like the X-Men to strive for years to gain his allegiance.

As Marvel Cinematic Universe gradually integrates mutants into its multiverse, it’s plausible that Franklin will participate alongside his fellow mutants. However, if the MCU chooses to keep the Fantastic Four separate from the X-Men, he might instead be depicted as a superhuman with powers, rather than a mutant.

The MCU Has Been Struggling for Years

Since streaming services took off, it has been challenging for the Marvel Cinematic Universe to keep its audience engaged, apart from a handful of popular series centered around Spider-Man, Black Panther, and Deadpool. The rest of the universe has been plagued with one letdown after another. For instance, The Marvels (2023) flopped at the box office, Eternals (2021) didn’t manage to hold on, and Captain America: Brave New World (2025) couldn’t restore the universe’s tarnished image. Even the much-hyped Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023) ended up being a financial disappointment.

The upcoming movie The Fantastic Four: First Steps is crucial for Marvel. It needs to thrive to demonstrate that the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) can still achieve the heights of hits like Iron Man (2008), The Avengers (2012), and more recently, Avengers: Endgame (2019). The Fantastic Four, Marvel’s original family of superheroes, played a significant role in the success of comic book storytelling during the Silver Age. Similarly, for the MCU to continue its success, First Steps needs to pave the way for future theatrical releases. In other words, the Fantastic Four not only has to save the world but also the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

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2025-04-18 00:21