Fantastic Four: Is Marvel Hiding Something?

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Recently, the Marvel Cinematic Universe seems to be struggling to regain its former momentum following the 2019 release of “Avengers: Endgame.” While there have been notable exceptions like “Thunderbolts” and “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” other projects haven’t quite hit the mark. As options grow limited, Marvel Studios is taking a bold step by reviving franchises that Fox previously held for years. Kicking off this new chapter is “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” a film set to introduce the Marvel family known as “The Fantastic Four” to the MCU for the first time.

As we eagerly await the premiere of the upcoming movie in July, promotional activities are now gaining momentum. In sync with the revelation that tickets for “First Steps” are now available, Marvel Studios unveiled a teaser trailer loaded with fresh clips. Yet, while this sneak peek at the film is thrilling, it raises a significant concern: it’s challenging to fully understand the movie’s actual plot.

Marvel Studios Doesn’t Want to Give Anything Away About The Fantastic Four: First Steps

In February 2025, the initial trailer for “First Steps” established its vintage atmosphere before delving into the significance of family ties. Regardless of their distinct characters, the Fantastic Four maintain a strong bond, sharing a meal together every Sunday and offering constant encouragement to each other. The teaser doesn’t reveal much beyond this, which is typical for Marvel Studios productions, particularly those that aren’t heavily interconnected with numerous films and series.

Instead of launching its first 2025 movie, Thunderbolts, without any prior content, Marvel Studios decided to debut the first official trailer for First Steps. The commercial mirrors its predecessor by emphasizing the deep bond between the heroes and the public’s admiration for them. However, around the halfway mark, it shifts focus to reveal a significant threat: Silver Surfer appears on Earth to warn the team that their planet is in grave danger. To add drama, the trailer then showcases some intense action scenes before hinting at the impending arrival of Galactus.

The visuals in the film are great, and the actors’ performances seem spot-on. However, despite an intriguing hint in the post-credits scene of Thunderbolts, we still don’t know much about the Fantastic Four’s role in their own movie or the MCU as a whole. We haven’t seen any signs of what character arcs will be explored for the team members, or any instances of them working together. Additionally, we have yet to see close-ups of Human Torch, Invisible Woman, Mister Fantastic using his stretching powers, or Galactus and Silver Surfer appearing in a significant way. It’s starting to seem like First Steps is saving most of its character designs and visual effects for later, which could be seen as either confidence or the need for secrecy.

However, unlike “First Steps,” the competing movie may not share the same level of success at the box office during summer.

Superman‘s Marketing Isn’t Afraid to Embrace Its Story

In a similar predicament to the upcoming movie “First Steps,” James Gunn’s “Superman” – set as the initial chapter in the DC Universe – faces a challenge not unlike its own history. Previously, both Fox and Warner Bros. have grappled unsuccessfully with the Fantastic Four and Superman respectively, each attempting to bring these iconic characters to life on the big screen without fully connecting them to audiences. However, now under the guidance of genuine comic book enthusiasts, there’s renewed hope for Marvel’s First Family and Superman. At present, “Superman” seems more transparent about its intentions compared to “First Steps.

In the trailer for Superman, it’s evident that this film will delve into the storyline and depict the protagonist’s role effectively. At the beginning of his superhero journey, Clark Kent grapples with why his sense of righteousness doesn’t resonate with everyone. The narrative seems to revolve less around antagonists trying to undermine him, but more about Superman’s battles against other powerful beings such as Ultraman and The Engineer. Additionally, we witness the Man of Steel in flight, engaged in combat with these super-powered characters, as well as teams like the Justice Gang (consisting of Hawkgirl, Mister Terrific, and Green Lantern/Guy Gardner) utilizing their powers in conflict. The film appears to embrace a wide array of fantastical elements, including giant monsters, futuristic robots, and even a super-powered canine, showcasing the impressive visual effects it boasts.

Superman enjoys the advantage of starting fresh, yet First Steps is intended to stand independently, suggesting a world devoid of the Avengers or significant MCU characters. If this is accurate, concealing such a large portion of the plot could be seen as a questionable decision, potentially driving skeptics towards a superhero film that’s more open about its protagonists.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps hits theaters on July 25th.

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2025-06-06 20:13