The Fantastic Four: First Steps Robs Fans of an Iconic Johnny Storm Moment

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To longtime Marvel enthusiasts, “Fantastic Four: First Steps” wasn’t just another superhero flick; it was an opportunity to witness treasured characters, iconic scenes, and the unique charm that has defined the Fantastic Four since their comic book debuts. We craved the camaraderie, the scientific marvels, and even the catchphrases that have resonated across six decades of panels. As the narrative progressed, detailing the team’s quest to safeguard their world and Reed and Sue’s infant from Galactus, one significant element was conspicuously absent.

The movie primarily showcased Reed, Sue, Johnny, and Ben as a close-knit family willing to do anything for each other, yet surprisingly omitted a signature element related to Johnny Storm – his catchphrase “Flame On!”. This wasn’t just an absent dialogue; it was a crucial part of Johnny’s fiery character that was intentionally ignored.

First Steps Presents A Whole New Version of Johnny Storm

It’s quite intriguing that they chose not to include Johnny Storm’s iconic “Flame On!” in the movie Fantastic Four: First Steps. Given Johnny’s extensive history and the strong, immediate, and nostalgic impact that phrase carries among comic book fans, it seems an unusual decision. Instead, the film preferred a more seamless and less awkward portrayal of Johnny’s powers. In Fantastic Four: First Steps, Johnny Storm has already mastered his abilities after four years, as evident by his effortless control over them, much like his fellow teammates.

In this depiction, the goal was clearly to present Johnny’s incredible abilities in a down-to-earth and authentic manner, as he doesn’t require any specific activation phrase. Instead, his powers are an integral aspect of him since the start of the movie. By avoiding direct references to phrases like “Flame On!”, the narrative could concentrate more on visually demonstrating his control over flames, emphasizing the grandeur and precision of his pyrokinetic capabilities.

In the movie, they cleverly hint at the iconic catchphrase in a self-referential manner, but unfortunately, it’s only heard from a toy version of Johnny instead. Amusingly, there’s a cereal box toy of him that keeps shouting “Flame On!”, a wink to the commercialization of the Fantastic Four within their world. This quick, almost ironic scene, serves as a subtle nod to the audience, acknowledging the phrase’s significance in the pop culture of the Fantastic Four’s Earth, while keeping Johnny from uttering it himself.

In this scene, John playfully torments Ben with a toy that continuously repeats a phrase, causing Ben’s annoyance to build until he eventually destroys the toy. This moment is an outstanding example of comedic genius, showcasing their playful yet loving and brotherly bond. It seems as though the filmmakers were hinting, “We understand the repetitive phrase, but we’re opting for a unique twist in Johnny’s narrative.

The Film Prioritized a Different Catchphrase, Leading to a Balancing Act of Iconic Moments

In the film, they cleverly brought back one of the beloved Fantastic Four catchphrases – “It’s clobbering time!” This was mainly associated with Ben Grimm, although Johnny’s iconic phrase was absent from his own dialogue. The movie creators seemed to relish in emphasizing that Ben himself never actually originated or uttered these three words. Instead, they were born in a cartoon within the universe, not from Ben himself.

Throughout the movie, there were numerous instances where characters tried to coax Ben into saying the catchphrase, but he consistently reminded them of its origins and his lack of ownership over it. Even Johnny joined in the fun, attempting to get Ben to say the phrase multiple times in a jovial manner. This humorous exchange culminated during their epic battle with Galactus, where Johnny finally managed to persuade Ben to exclaim “it’s clobbering time” for the first time in the film.

The path leading up to this point has been intricately designed and strategically positioned, as nothing else compares to Galactus as a worthy opponent for a good “clobbering.” This gradual buildup, culminating in the dramatic peak, delivers an intense emotional impact that’s hard to ignore. The audience is ready for this moment, and when it happens, it feels well-deserved and powerful, causing excitement among many movie viewers.

In other words, by heavily emphasizing “It’s Clobberin’ Time” in the film, it seems like the filmmakers aimed to avoid using two well-known catchphrases from the Fantastic Four, as they might have come across as too much or even cheesy. Director Matt Shankman wanted a more realistic and family-friendly vibe for the Fantastic Four’s introduction into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Including both “Flame On!” and “It’s Clobberin’ Time!” may have made the story feel too self-referential. Instead, choosing to focus on Ben’s catchphrase could be a tactical choice to concentrate on one character’s emotional journey and make that specific moment more impactful without distractions.

In the movie “Fantastic Four: First Steps”, the filmmakers skillfully decided to emphasize the iconic line “It’s Clobberin’ Time!” instead of the much-loved “Flame On!”. This choice is significant, as it suggests a careful dance between incorporating beloved fan elements and avoiding making the entire film solely dedicated to fan service. The movie successfully delivered an impactful “It’s Clobberin’ Time!” scene, but this came at the cost of a highly anticipated “Flame On!” moment for Johnny Storm. This paves the way for Johnny to shine in his own future appearance, possibly in Avengers: Doomsday.

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2025-07-29 20:13