The iconic group known as Marvel’s First Family made their debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe with the film “The Fantastic Four: First Steps“, which is set in a separate timeline, distinct from the rest of the franchise for now. Directed by Matt Shakman, famed for his work on “WandaVision“, and co-written by Josh Friedman, this film offers a fresh take on the classic comic characters: Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm. Each character gets their moment to shine in the story. Instead of a direct adaptation of the original Stan Lee and Jack Kirby comics, “First Steps” dares to make innovative creative choices that both pay homage to and redefine the source material spanning several decades.
The Fantastic Four: Initial Strides
Unlike many introductory films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), The Fantastic Four: First Steps showcases a unique, retro-futuristic aesthetic from the get-go, and introduces some unconventional shifts in character dynamics and narrative focus. While not every deviation from the comics is seamless, it’s clear that this film marks a daring new path for Marvel’s most celebrated super team. In this analysis, we’ll delve into the top five ways the movie strays from the source material, evaluating whether these risks were justified.
5) The Origin Story Is Absent (Sort-Of)
As I settled into my seat for this latest cinematic outing, it swiftly became apparent that this wasn’t your typical comic book adaptation of Fantastic Four #1. This time around, we leap straight into the present day, with Reed Richards already mastering body-stretching feats, Ben Grimm lifting automobiles effortlessly, Sue Storm vanishing at will, and Johnny Storm igniting himself like a human torch. The intriguing backstory of their cosmic origin is subtly woven in via a quick television recap during the quartet’s fourth anniversary celebration, giving us just enough context to follow along.
In a daring narrative move, similar to their previous attempts, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige and team decided to bypass the traditional origin story setup when they released the standalone MCU film for Spider-Man in 2017. Instead of rehashing Peter Parker’s iconic spider bite, the movie began with Parker already being Spider-Man, much like the Fantastic Four family here is already established. This approach provides a fresh start, eliminating typical origin story tropes such as awkward “learning powers” sequences or expository scenes about their relationships. The film assumes that viewers are familiar enough with these characters to follow along without extensive backstory. Just like Spider-Man: Homecoming, this narrative choice allows the story to focus on what happens next rather than solely on the origin tale. Although some comic book fans might miss the direct portrayal of the life-altering event for the Fantastic Four, bypassing it opens up possibilities for telling a tale about the ensuing events instead.
4) The Movie Leans Into a Stylized 1960s Setting
The movie “Fantastic Four: First Steps” doesn’t simply have a retro atmosphere; it immerses itself in it. The film adopts a heavily stylized 1960s ambiance, complete with advanced technology, Cold War tension, and fashion reminiscent of the TV show Mad Men. In contrast to more contemporary comics, where the team and their world have been somewhat modernized to reflect reality, here, the new setting becomes one of the film’s standout features. This alternative timeline sets “First Steps” apart from the rest of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Since “First Steps” is set in a separate timeline, it has the liberty to tell stories specific to that period without having to conform to the narratives of other superheroes. This creative flexibility allows the film to delve into the characters and revisit the early days of Marvel comics.
3) Doctor Doom Is Nowhere to Be Found—But Galactus Is
In the movie First Steps, there’s a noticeable gap – Victor Von Doom, who is usually the Fantastic Four’s main adversary in their comics, is scarcely present. He appears only at the end of the credits, hinting at his potential future role as a formidable villain, but he doesn’t significantly affect the movie itself. In contrast, in the 2000s Fantastic Four films, Doom was instrumental in shaping the narrative and serving as the primary antagonist for the heroes. His absence from First Steps leaves a conspicuous hole, given that while not all Fantastic Four comics feature Doom, many significant stories do, making his character’s presence highly anticipated. In this movie, neither the Fantastic Four nor any other characters seem to be aware of Doctor Doom or the danger he poses in the future. Their complex relationship, particularly with Reed Richards, is a crucial aspect of the comics but isn’t present in First Steps. However, the post-credits scene suggests that Marvel has a long-term plan for Doom, implying that he will create chaos across the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It’s a gamble not to include such a significant character, but it does generate excitement for upcoming movies.
2) New Suits
Frequent followers are aware that the Fantastic Four’s signature costumes consist of a blend of blue and black. John Krasinski donned an modernized version of this attire in Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness, where he played another multiverse variant of Reed Richards. In contrast, the team’s outfits in First Steps are light blue and white, a shade that occasionally appears in the comics but deviates from the classic black and blue. A recent sneak peek from the movie set reveals the cast wearing black and blue suits, suggesting that at one point they were intended to be part of the film, but this didn’t make it into the final version shown in theaters.
1) Stan Lee & Jack Kirby Finally Share the Spotlight
In a significant shift from the past, the movie “First Steps” gives equal credit to Jack Kirby and Stan Lee for creating the characters, recognizing Kirby’s equal status alongside Lee. Historically, Kirby has often been overshadowed by Lee in the development of iconic Marvel characters in comics, films, cartoons, and more. However, this film honors both creators, who have significantly contributed to shaping Marvel Comics as we know it today. Interestingly, Kirby’s birthday is said to have inspired the creation of Earth 828, the world depicted in the movie. This isn’t mere fan service; it also serves as a correction to the past, where Kirby’s contributions to Marvel’s beginnings were overshadowed by Lee’s charm and public image. In recent years, though, Marvel has been making it clear that without Kirby’s vision, there would be no Marvel Universe as we know it.
Fantastic Four: First Steps is playing in theaters.
Read More
- ENA PREDICTION. ENA cryptocurrency
- Minecraft lets you get the Lava Chicken song in-game — but it’s absurdly rare
- Gold Rate Forecast
- Wrestler Marcus “Buff” Bagwell Undergoes Leg Amputation
- PS5’s ChinaJoy Booth Needs to Be Seen to Be Believed
- Lewis Capaldi Details “Mental Episode” That Led to Him “Convulsing”
- Elden Ring Nightreign’s Patch 1.02 update next week is adding a feature we’ve all been waiting for since launch — and another I’ve been begging for, too
- Cyberpunk 2077’s Patch 2.3 is Here and It’s Another Excellent Overhaul
- Yungblud Vows to Perform Ozzy Osbourne Song “Every Night”
- President Trump: “What the hell is NVIDIA? I’ve never heard of it before” — but is it right to dunk on him?
2025-08-09 00:18