‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Trailer Breakdown: Every Easter Egg

Galactus has arrived in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

And it’s not just a thinking cloud, but rather a large, extraterrestrial being adorned in purple and blue armor. I’d wager you ten cosmic credits that there’s an emblem shaped like the letter “G” somewhere on his attire, similar to the original Galactus design by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.

As a die-hard comic book fan, I can’t help but notice that even the mighty Galactus manages a brief, almost imperceptible appearance in the concluding moments of the latest teaser for “The Fantastic Four: First Steps.” However, he’s not alone in making a Marvel Comics cameo. In our newest video analysis, we delve deep into the trailer and uncover every nod to Jack Kirby and Stan Lee’s original work, as well as the rich 60-year history of the “Fantastic Four” comic series, which has been gracing the pages of Marvel Comics since 1961.

Watch our full trailer breakdown here:

If you enjoyed the video that analyzed Marvel Easter eggs hidden within the latest teaser for The Fantastic Four: First Steps, don’t forget to explore our other videos as well! You might find one discussing the theory about Doctor Doom being the main villain in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, another delving into the debate surrounding Robert Downey Jr.’s casting as Doctor Doom and whether this shift from Kang could be a mistake. There’s also a video on some of the most impactful deleted scenes in Marvel history that could have significantly altered the MCU. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel, ScreenCrush, for more exciting episodes! The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set to hit theaters on July 25, 2025.

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Every Marvel Cinematic Universe Movie, Ranked From Worst to Best

34. Eternals

Initially, I wouldn’t have guessed that a Marvel film directed by an Academy Award winner and adapted from some of Jack Kirby’s most daring comics would result in a less significant entry. Regrettably, the movie Eternals never fully coalesced. It primarily adheres to the original concepts of Kirby while making minor but exasperating alterations, such as transforming the antagonistic Deviants into faceless monsters with no objectives or motivations. The ensemble boasts commendable supporting acts by Kumail Nanjiani and Brian Tyree Henry, yet the principal characters – Gemma Chan’s Sersi and Richard Madden’s Ikaris – find it challenging to convincingly portray their long-lasting romance. (Their relationship spans 6,000 years; they exhibit the awkwardness of a first date going awry.) The script occasionally touches upon intriguing themes concerning the interconnections between superheroes, mythology, and religion, only to frequently abandon them for sequences of repetitive battles with dull monsters. It’s challenging to fathom a more tedious film about immortal alien robots attempting to prevent universal annihilation than this one.

33. The Incredible Hulk

The film seems poorly planned, hastily assembled, and visually unappealing, as if Marvel was taken aback when Iron Man turned out to be such a hit and they quickly produced this. Casting Tim Roth as the world’s most formidable soldier is a misstep that Loki would never commit, considering he transforms into a massive, bony creature resembling a turd monster. (For further reading, see [here](…)).

32. Thor: The Dark World

Instead of almost having Patty Jenkins’ version of Thor, we ended up with a movie that’s quite gloomy, focusing on a tedious pursuit of a mystical artifact and one of the least interesting villains in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, if there’s a silver lining, it might be that this film’s less-than-stellar performance could have influenced Marvel to take bigger risks, leading to the unique and exciting changes we saw in Thor: Ragnarok. (You can read more about it .)

31. The Marvels

This Marvel film isn’t the most disappointing – it surpasses three others in the series, after all – yet it’s arguably the most disorganized and action-packed. Three captivating Marvel characters (Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel, Iman Vellani’s Ms. Marvel, and Teyonah Parris’ Monica Rambeau) find themselves teamed up to thwart a Kree warlord with sinister intentions. The actors share wonderful chemistry, but the plot, although concise, is confusing and filled with odd decisions that don’t add up.

30. Doctor Strange

As a movie critic, I must confess that while the mind-bending visuals in “Doctor Strange” are truly captivating, it seems to me that the film struggles to break free from the shadow of its predecessor, “Iron Man 2.0 (with a dash of Magic)”.

On one hand, I appreciate the clever twist with Dormammu at the end; it’s a moment that truly sets this movie apart. However, I found Strange’s caped attire to be a bit too whimsical for my taste.

For further thoughts on the film, you can read more [here](link to the source).

29. Iron Man 2

Surprisingly better than anticipated, yet far from exceptional. Sam Rockwell’s dance moves can conceal many flaws, but not all. If 15 minutes of background setup in Avengers were removed, it could potentially be quite impressive. (Continue reading here.)

28. Ant-Man

Ant-Man isn’t poor quality, but it feels like a scaled-down version of the Edgar Wright film we could have had instead. Despite this, Michael Peña’s character Luis stands out among the non-superhero characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. (Continue reading .)

OR

Ant-Man is decent, but it often feels like a smaller version of the Edgar Wright movie we should have received. However, Michael Peña’s character Luis shines among all the non-superpowered characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. (Read more here.)

27. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

Stepping into the realm of cinematic critique as a fellow moviegoer, let me share my thoughts on the anticipated clash between Ant-Man and Kang the Conqueror. Even Kang, portrayed with chilling precision by Jonathan Majors, acknowledges that Scott Lang is “biting off more than he can chew.” This cosmic showdown serves as a symbol for the film itself – the quaint, humor-laden, character-driven universe of the Ant-Man series is dwarfed by the grandiose multiverse spectacle of Marvel Phase 5.

As a standalone Marvel blockbuster, it delivers, but as an extension of the Ant-Man saga, it falls short. If you were hoping to catch more of Michael Peña’s delightful Luis, I regret to inform you that he is nowhere to be found in this installment.

26. Ant-Man and the Wasp

The movie “Ant-Man and the Wasp” shines brightest when it emphasizes its compact nature, featuring Paul Rudd’s humor with his fellow actors, Michael Peña’s heartfelt monologues, and a personal drama centered around a fractured family striving to mend their bonds. (For further details, click here.)

25. Captain Marvel

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Brie Larson’s portrayal of Carol Danvers could be the most potent hero; however, her movie seemed to fall short on emotional depth. Regardless, it remains engaging thanks to two standout performances: Ben Mendelsohn as the cunning Skrull named Talos, and Samuel L. Jackson (and the remarkable de-aging visual effects) as a youthful Nick Fury. For further insights, you can explore more [here](URL).

24. Black Widow

2021 marked the long-awaited solo outing for Scarlett Johansson, departing from her Avengers family, only to find herself primarily serving as the straight character amidst a band of witty Russian superheroes. This included David Harbour’s narcissistic Red Guardian and Florence Pugh’s captivating Yelena. Consequently, Black Widow, though not the fitting farewell the character might have deserved, remains another strong Marvel production. It offers thrilling action sequences, notably the skillful villain, Taskmaster, who can replicate combat styles of any adversary encountered.

23. Thor: Love and Thunder

Experiencing Taika Waititi’s second Thor movie, “Thor: Love and Thunder,” can feel somewhat like witnessing a magician performing the same trick twice in quick succession. The initial presentation was mind-blowing. However, the subsequent performance, while still captivating, lacks the element of surprise. Christian Bale delivers a chilling portrayal of Gorr the God-Butcher, yet his intense and highly emotional villain seems to contrast slightly with Chris Hemsworth’s Thor and his continuous humor. Essentially, “Thor: Love and Thunder” retains all the components found in Waititi’s “Thor: Ragnarok,” but they don’t quite harmonize as smoothly this time around.

22. Deadpool & Wolverine

In this movie, the camaraderie between Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman is simply fantastic. The surprise appearances are mind-blowing, to say the least. However, the plot seems to push the limits of how much background information a film can provide without becoming too confusing. (One might wonder if a character needs multiple tragic pasts? This movie certainly has at least two!) If you can manage not to think too hard about what’s happening on screen for even a moment, you’ll have an enjoyable experience. And Jackman and Reynolds definitely deliver the dynamic duo of Deadpool and Wolverine teaming up reluctantly to save the Fox X-Men universe. You might find yourself wishing the writers (including Reynolds himself) had provided a slightly clearer storyline.

21. Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Not as good as you might recall, but still passable. The advertising emphasized the conspiracy aspect too much, but Anthony Mackie’s Falcon was an excellent new character for the series, and Chris Evans portrayed Captain America with his usual strength and reliability. However, it bothers me that Nick Fury, the world’s greatest spy, didn’t seem to realize that everyone in SHIELD except him and his two companions were completely corrupt. Come on, man. Wake up! (Continue reading .)

20. Avengers: Infinity War

Although this film is grand in scale and its ending is truly memorable, it seems there’s a certain emotional depth missing for some viewers. If you’re primarily seeking an action-packed Marvel movie with humorous one-liners, then this might be just what you’re looking for. However, if you prefer the characters, camaraderie, and more introspective moments amidst the battles, this film may not fully satisfy those expectations. (For a more in-depth review, click here.)

19. Iron Man 3

The film was quite enjoyable, but its quality was somewhat diminished by the context of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The plot ultimately led to Tony Stark retiring as Iron Man and departing, only for him to appear in several subsequent films afterwards. Despite Guy Pearce’s underwhelming portrayal of Killian, Robert Downey Jr.’s frustrated interactions with a sharp-witted child were excellent. (You can read more about it here.)

18. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

Initially speaking: The climactic scene, featuring dragons and monsters clashing amidst thick gray fog, is a chaotic CGI disaster. However, prior to this point, Shang-Chi could be Marvel’s finest action movie, boasting numerous intense and intricate fight sequences. (The bus fight in San Francisco is particularly enjoyable.) Simu Liu delivers a standout performance as the lead, with Tony Leung and Michelle Yeoh providing substantial support, each delivering nuanced performances. Ben Kingsley and Awkwafina consistently bring humor to the table, with Kingsley’s portrayal of Trevor Slattery, the former Mandarin, proving to be a delightful addition to the Marvel universe, despite initial reservations about his character at the time.

17. Thor

In an unexpected twist, this epic tale unfolds primarily in the tiniest town of New Mexico. While “Thor” has its flaws, it marked the beginning of Marvel’s signature triumph where stellar acting and captivating performances managed to outshine structural and script problems, a trend that soon became characteristic of Marvel productions. (Continue reading .)

16. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Ryan Coogler encountered a tremendous hurdle when directing “Wakanda Forever”: Not only was he tasked with creating a sequel that matched the greatness of the original “Black Panther”, he had to do it without his captivating lead, Chadwick Boseman, who tragically passed away during summer 2020, just as filming was set to begin. The movie shines most when it weaves Coogler and the cast’s grief for Boseman into the narrative of Wakanda grappling with the loss of its king. Regrettably, the remainder of the film can be a bit disorganized; a blend of intriguing concepts, numerous characters, and an adversary, King Namor, whose motives become somewhat confusing at times.

15. Captain America: Civil War

The narrative doesn’t pass a moment’s examination, and the entire film is structured around the climactic showdown between Tony Stark and Steve Rogers, which takes place at the airport. However, let me tell you: Oh my goodness, the big battle at the airport is incredibly thrilling! (Read more here.)

14. Spider-Man: No Way Home

In Jon Watts’ third Spider-Man movie, its quality is comparable to Sam Raimi’s third Spider-Man film. Both movies are packed with numerous villains as a downside. However, on the upside, this film effectively portrays and embodies the charm of Peter Parker as a character, who consistently strives to correct his mistakes despite repeated failures. Additionally, it introduces the concept of the multiverse into Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films on a grand scale, making significant strides in the ongoing saga.

13. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

15 years later, director Sam Raimi stepped back into the Marvel universe to create this thrilling and eccentric journey, a struggle for the survival of the multiverse. Similar to his previous Spider-Man films, Raimi brought his unique flavor to the traditional Marvel recipe – incorporating humor, bizarre zombies, and jump scares. (For further details, see here.)

12. Avengers: Age of Ultron

As a passionate film buff, I can’t fathom the intense criticism this movie has received. Granted, it might not reach the heights of the initial Avengers film, and the Wanda and Pietro subplot could use some polishing. However, the climactic sequence where the Avengers unite to save every soul in Sokovia encapsulates the essence of Marvel at its finest. (Read more here.)

11. Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2

In my perspective, the sequel of Marvel’s most jocular franchise was an impressive feat, stretching well beyond the usual runtime with no less than four post-credit scenes. What truly sets it apart is the audacity to end on a melancholic note, making it the only Marvel film that leaves me in tears. Yet, it doesn’t forget to inject humor even into sensitive topics like alien deities’ anatomy – a unique blend that I find utterly captivating. (Read more here.)

10. Thor: Ragnarok

I just really like when Jeff Goldblum plays a space god who DJs his own parties. (Read more here.)

9. Spider-Man: Far From Home

The second installment of Marvel’s Spiderman series, starring Tom Holland as the extraordinary web-slinger, is slightly less impressive than the first yet still offers an abundance of romance, action, humor, and emotion. The phrase “with great power comes great responsibility” may not be explicitly uttered, but “Spider-Man: Far From Home” explores this concept just as deeply as any Spiderman film has before. Peter Parker, portrayed by Holland, is caught between his romantic pursuits towards MJ (Zendaya’s humorous and witty portrayal) and Nick Fury’s (a grumbly Samuel L. Jackson) demands to thwart a group of destructive elemental creatures.

8. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

James Gunn delivers an exceptional ending to his Guardians trilogy, blending the perfect Marvel concoction: Exciting action sequences, eccentric science fiction visuals, and deeply emotional characters that captivate us immensely. By the final installment of Vol. 3, Rocket Raccoon transforms from a minor Marvel character to one of the company’s most intriguing and tragic heroes. After a series of underwhelming films, Gunn makes it seem effortless. Unfortunately, he is moving on to manage DC.

7. Avengers: Endgame

A significant leap forward from “Infinity War” and arguably the second finest Avengers film yet, boasting grand action sequences, numerous jokes, and potentially a record-breaking number of Easter eggs for any movie within the scope of any cinematic universe. (You can read more here.)

6. Spider-Man: Homecoming

Among the most enjoyable Marvel Cinematic Universe films, this one boasts captivating characters, thrilling web-slinging stunts, and an unexpected street vendor requesting Spider-Man to perform a flip (which he does, of course). Aren’t you hooked? (Continue reading here.)

5. Guardians of the Galaxy

In the middle of Marvel Cinematic Universe’s timeline so far, the original Guardians movie marked a turning point for Marvel, demonstrating that their brand had enough appeal to draw audiences to relatively unknown properties. Before James Gunn came along, the Guardians were barely mentioned, but he transformed them into an unexpected blockbuster hit. As for who the best Guardian is, let’s just say it’s Rocket – a fact that stands undisputed. (For more details, check it out here.)

4. Captain America: The First Avenger

Despite some inconsistencies in its narrative structure, as it condenses an entire war into a montage, the portrayal of Captain America by Chris Evans in this film stands out as one of the most impressive character adaptations within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This movie transformed a hero often criticized for being dull or outdated into a vibrant, appealing, multi-layered figure embodying straightforward human values. A perfect choice when you need a boost of inspiration. (Read more here.)

3. Black Panther

In contrast to many Marvel films that strive for intricate links with a broader cosmos, “Black Panther” demonstrates the merit of a more self-contained narrative style. Towards the end of the film, Black Panther choosing to reveal Wakanda to the outside world (and its characters becoming available for future appearances) is meant to signify a joyful conclusion. However, if this decision leads to a sequel that’s spread thin with numerous guest appearances, it might not be as fulfilling.

(Source reading: )

2. The Avengers

As a devoted cinephile, I can’t help but marvel at the enduring magic of the original Avengers film, even after the epic spectacle that was Infinity War. Each character is meticulously crafted, their roles perfectly harmonized, and the script is as tight as a drum. The extended Battle of New York, in particular, remains one of the most exhilarating action sequences of this century. (Read more here.)

1. Iron Man

To this day, nothing surpasses the original film’s greatness. Looking back, not being tied to a larger universe allowed for a superior movie experience. The scenes where Robert Downey Jr.’s character, Tony Stark, tests his armor and subsequently takes flight for the first time brilliantly convey the exhilaration of superpowers compared to any other film in the Marvel or any other studio’s history. (Read more here.)

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2025-02-05 01:56