Fantastic Four: First Steps is on its way, and the actors and director have already given hints about what to expect. However, what they’ve said may be cause for concern.
In an exclusive interview with Entertainment Weekly, director Matt Shakman revealed that Fantastic Four: First Steps won’t be an origin story.
Poster for Fantastic Four (2025), Marvel Studios
“One of the ways we’re making it our own thing,” he said, “is we’re not telling the story of them going up and being changed, and starting our story [there]. There’s a lot of well-known narrative that leads into that moment, right? And then you’re making up your new story starting basically at the end of the first act, and we thought, ‘Well, let’s just start this thing off on a completely new foot. So we are beginning after that.'”
For some, this might raise alarms. Especially after Kevin Feige’s announcement that the film will take place in an alternate universe. Using the multiverse angle could work, if done right and in adherence with the source material. However, after Marvel and Disney’s track record, they just might forgo the source material.
But then again, it wouldn’t be the first time.
Fantastic Four by Jonathan Hickman Omnibus Vol. 1 (2022), Marvel Comics
Matt Shakman previously directed WandaVision for Disney Plus. He has also directed episodes of The Great, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Fargo and Game of Thrones. While these credentials are decent, the fact that he worked on WandaVision is concerning. The series focused on Wanda Maximoff (Scarlet Witch) and her villainous behavior that was ultimately forgiven in the finale. The show was well-received by critics, but divisive for Marvel fans.
This raises questions as to what else he plans to do with Fantastic Four: First Steps.
While we don’t have any specifics, we can at least speculate based on what cast members have said.
Fantastic Four Visionaries: Walter Simonson Vol. 1 TPB (2007), Marvel Comics
READ: Marvel Officially Announces Julia Garner as Female Silver Surfer in ‘Fantastic 4: First Steps’
Ben Grimm’s actor Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Bear, The Punisher Season 1) shared some details about his experience on set. In an interview with Jimmy Kimmel, the show’s host asked whether Ebon had used the character’s catchphrase “It’s clobberin’ time!” during filming.
“I slipped it in there a couple times,” the actor replied with a mischievous grin. “We’ll see what happens. I don’t have final cut on this one.”
From what he said, it’s possible the director might chose to omit the catchphrase entirely. If true, it doesn’t bode well for the film or Ben Grimm. Catchphrases are essential to their characters, and The Thing not having his will make him a different character entirely.
And speaking of changing characters, Julia Garner remarked on her take on Silver Surfer while promoting her most recent film, Wolf Man.
In her own interview with Entertainment Weekly, she said: “I can’t really speak a lot about that project. All I can just say is that I’m very lucky to have a part in that project, and the Fantastic Four are fantastic. They are so amazing in this. I’m very excited for people to see them. I’m assuming that this Silver Surfer is gonna be really shiny like in the other previous ones and the comic books. So, yeah, that’s all I’m gonna say.”
THE FANTASTIC FOUR. © 2024 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2024 MARVEL.
There is much to interpret from her remarks. Is the Silver Surfer being “shiny” the only thing she knows about the character? Perhaps, but at this point it’s only an assumption.
Regardless, Marvel fans have every right to be wary. Based on what we know so far, the next Fantastic Four movie might not be fantastic after all.
What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.
I won’t watch any movie with Pedro Pascal in it.
When I first saw Civil War, I thought it was nice that I wouldn’t have to sit through Uncle Ben dying yet again but already knew the story. I absolutely did not expect that they’d just decide all the Uncle Ben stuff didn’t happen and they’d have to replace it with Aunt May.
When you’re not willing to follow the original story, not having any kind of origin means we don’t know what is and is not true in this particular rehash.
The studio is woke. The film will suck, even if they try to tone down THE MESSAGE a bit. Since the movie industry went DEI, and kicked out all right-wingers, it has become, well, gay.
Trying to tone down the message is like putting only four cowpies on your salad instead of the usual five. Zero cowpies, thanks.
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