Fantastic Four Trailers Hide a Devastating Tragedy

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Marvel has been aggressively promoting their upcoming film, “The Fantastic Four: First Steps“, highlighting Reed Richards’ elasticity, Sue Storm’s invisibility, and Johnny Storm’s aerial fire stunts. However, the trailers seem to be avoiding a key aspect – the profound sadness that underlies Ben Grimm’s transformation into The Thing.

In contrast to his three teammates gaining extraordinary enhancements that enriched their lives, Ben Grimm underwent a much more tragic fate: total loss of humanity. The marketing strategy opting to portray The Thing as a jovial, neighborhood-loving figure lifting cars for delighted kids significantly distorts what ought to be the film’s most emotionally nuanced narrative.

Be sure to watch out for “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” when it hits the cinemas on July 25, 2025.

Trailers Hide the Horror of The Thing’s Transformation 

Instead of maintaining their human forms while acquiring extraordinary powers like Reed, Sue, and Johnny, Ben Grimm underwent a transformation that fundamentally changed his appearance into The Thing. Unlike the other members of the Fantastic Four who adapt to their new abilities, Ben Grimm experiences an irreversible, unparalleled change in his physical form as a human being. Instead of mastering new powers, Ben Grimm loses key aspects of human identity.

In various comic book depictions, Ben’s medical condition has consistently been portrayed as a significant source of distress for him. He finds it challenging to move around freely, as his presence often triggers fear in others. His personal relationships are strained, and even casual interactions become intricate, tense negotiations due to his appearance that is perceived as monstrous. Every reflection he sees in a mirror serves as a painful reminder of what he’s lost.

In contrast to the impression given by the trailers for “First Steps,” The Thing appears more like a cheerful character, amusing spectators and appearing content with his situation. Children scream joyfully upon seeing him, and he even effortlessly lifts a car in response to their applause.

In one quick scene, he’s hidden beneath a hat and trench coat, giving an impression that he might occasionally seek solitude from society. However, the broader promotional storyline portrays his metamorphosis as nothing more than another exciting superpower, rather than a deeply personal crisis.

Marvel’s Tone Problem Extends to Body Horror

In a simplified manner, Ben’s portrayed change mirrors the difficulty Marvel faces in maintaining tone consistency. Marvel is renowned for its humorous, low-stakes narrative style, often overshadowing serious or tragic events with witty dialogue and collaborative resolutions.

However, the essence of Ben Grimm’s tale revolves around an irreversible loss that can’t be resolved by clever quips or heartwarming speeches emphasizing the strength of their bond as a family.

But the core theme of Ben Grimm’s narrative is one of unalterable loss, which can’t be mended by a snappy comeback or an inspiring discourse on the power of familial ties.

This method suits characters such as Spider-Man, who possess immense power yet remain fundamentally human despite it. Conversely, it does not fit characters whose narrative centers on struggling with unwanted changes and facing ostracism from society.

The narrative of The Thing calls for a heavy, mature emotional depth that Marvel often avoids in favor of visually impressive action for mass appeal.

More recent fan feedback has pointed out some nuanced enhancements in the portrayal of The Thing, particularly with regards to Ben’s voice being given a rougher, gravelly quality. However, these remarks only extend to slight alterations in how the character is shown, as compared to the initial previews.

The Missed Opportunity in Marketing

Through the trailers portraying Ben as a beloved team emblem instead of a tragic figure, the advertising may create a disparity between viewers’ assumptions and what the character demands dramatically. Audiences anticipating a jovial rock creature might be taken aback by scenes delving into Ben’s internal conflict regarding his new existence.

Instead of fitting either the character or the viewers, this discrepancy fails to deliver the intended impact. To accurately portray Ben Grimm, his transformation ought to provoke a sense of shock and sadness. This transformation should evoke feelings of discomfort that are characteristic of authentic body horror.

The sadness isn’t merely about his appearance being distinct. It’s because he’s been isolated from the typical human life, an isolation that his companions have not encountered.

Initially, a fleeting scene in the trailer showing Ben in disguise suggests that the movie could delve into these topics; however, this aspect is obscured by promotional material emphasizing visual effects rather than character depth and emotion.

Title “The Fantastic Four: First Footsteps” offers a chance to present Marvel’s most intricate emotional backstory, provided it dares to confront Ben’s predicament truthfully instead of masking it with the shiny veneer of a typical superhero tale.

What Previous Adaptations Got Wrong (And Right)

The struggle to blend The Thing’s tragic backstory with broad audience appeal is nothing novel. Previous iterations of the Fantastic Four series have faced this very dilemma, frequently veering between excessive campiness or shallow emotional turmoil.

2005’s portrayal featuring Michael Chiklis excessively emphasized Ben’s self-pity at the expense of delving into his psychological depth. Conversely, the 2015 remake aimed for a more somber atmosphere but fell short in linking Ben’s change to substantial character progression.

The original from 2005 focused too much on Ben feeling sorry for himself and not enough on his deeper feelings. The 2015 update tried to be darker, but it didn’t do a good job showing how Ben changed and grew as a character.

Chiklis’s performance stood out not because of the CGI effects, but rather when he authentically revealed his inner turmoil beneath the tough exterior. Likewise, what truly captivates in Thing comics isn’t his strength or loyalty to the team, but his solitary instances, his battles to sustain relationships, and his persistent sorrow over his lost humanity.

Initial Viewings indicate that the updated version of “First Steps” leverages cutting-edge visual effects, enhancing the expressiveness of The Thing like never before. Preliminary looks hint that this technology is being utilized to craft a more subtle and profound portrayal.

However, even with advanced technology, the core issue of compelling storytelling remains unresolved: how to evoke empathy in viewers for a character marked by irrevocable loss, when the very essence of most genres revolves around gratification and dreams coming true.

A Character That Demands Honest Storytelling

The Thing’s character stands out notably due to the fact that his predicament remains unresolved. In contrast to other Marvel characters who ultimately control their powers and achieve harmony, Ben Grimm’s narrative focuses on adapting to an incurable tragedy – the loss that cannot be reversed.

What gives him appeal, yet seems contradictory to the optimistic portrayal in the advertising, is his depth and the potential misunderstanding of his character. Whether the movie will accurately depict Ben Grimm’s tragic evolution during his battles against Galactus or follow the marketing path by presenting a simplified version is still uncertain.

In my opinion, after decades of rich and captivating comic book storylines, this cinematic portrayal of the character falls short. I believe both the character and the audience deserve a more compelling narrative than a one-dimensional rock creature that seems content with its mere presence on screen.

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2025-06-08 08:05