Fantastic Four: First Steps director explains why he didn’t look back to previous films

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For such a prolonged period, it’s been quite perplexing why, despite the reign of superhero movies, there hasn’t been a successful big-screen interpretation of the Fantastic Four yet.

The cherished characters, often referred to as Marvel’s First Family, have been portrayed on the big screen twice so far. Initially, they appeared in a duology directed by Tim Story, back in 2005 and 2007. Later, they were rebooted under the guidance of Josh Trank (although an earlier attempt in 1994, produced by Roger Corman, was filmed but not released).

Despite the praise for the “Story” film series, it’s widely agreed that the characters Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm have not received their due cinematic treatment – but that may be changing now.

In a revised take on the project, director Matt Shakman aims to correct some aspects of WandaVision, featuring Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach in starring roles instead.

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve just had the pleasure of witnessing a cinematic marvel that marks the long-awaited debut of a beloved quartet within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). This film doesn’t just introduce them; it delves deeper into their earliest comic book origins, offering fans an engaging and immersive experience.

He mentioned, “I found myself focusing more on the comic books.” As a passionate comics enthusiast, I was particularly drawn to recreating the ’60s, with its unique blend of retro-futurism and New York City. My primary source of inspiration for this setting was the early run of Fantastic Four by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee, specifically their work in the 1960s. This iconic series served as my main guide.

Even though the story was set in the ’60s, Shakman aimed to explore the various interpretations of the Fantastic Four across different generations and decades to understand what these characters mean to him at this present moment. Moreover, he noted that his own personal experiences played a significant role in shaping who they are for him and how he intended to portray them in his work.

In the 2007 film Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, one point that received a lot of attention from viewers was how the iconic comic book antagonist Galactus was represented. Unlike his usual depiction, Galactus did not speak in this movie and was kept hidden behind a large cloud.

This time, the part isn’t an exception as prolific actor Ralph Ineson is cast, whose resonant voice proved ideal for the role. Interestingly, Ineson drew inspiration for his performance from an unconventional source – videos of natural catastrophes.

I was expressing the thought that instead of picturing him as an entity capable of making malicious choices, it might be more fitting to envision him as a cosmic power. The devastation he can inflict, in this perspective, becomes comparable to natural disasters.

It’s quite straightforward to search for such phenomena as hurricanes, tornadoes, landslides, and other events that surpass our ability to manage or fully understand on Google, and observe them online.

In addition, we’re attempting to draw parallels between such events and the actions Galactus might take, considering their impact on his demeanor, movements, etc. Essentially, it’s an effort to comprehend the catastrophic scale of destruction that humans are powerless against.

The unique visual style and mood of the movie, setting it apart from other Marvel films, sparks curiosity about how the characters will interact with the established Marvel Cinematic Universe group.

Instead, Shakman noted that it wasn’t his responsibility to concern himself with the future of the franchise.

He explained, “I aimed to construct a unique and self-contained universe, something truly distinctive. In other words, I wanted to design a universe tailored to these characters. Anywhere they travel, it becomes part of their story.

He mentioned: “A part of it is exciting, just like encountering Captain America, Steve Rogers, during World War Two was thrilling.

In the current era, you’ll find him struggling to adapt, much like a fish out of water, as he strives to understand his role within the Avengers. Consequently, they too may experience similar feelings of disorientation when they encounter the Avengers in the days to come.

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2025-07-24 14:19