After years of waiting, Marvel has finally unveiled the first Fantastic Four: First Steps trailer, marking the long-awaited MCU debut of Marvel’s “First Family.” But with the studio in desperate need of a win, this film may be its last chance to turn things around.
The first trailer for ‘THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS’ has been released.
In theaters on July 25. pic.twitter.com/Zd9G53w04E
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) February 4, 2025
Under the direction of WandaVision’s Matt Shakman, Fantastic Four: First Steps stars Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic), Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm (Invisible Woman), Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm (Human Torch), and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm (The Thing). The film follows their transformation from test pilots to superheroes after exposure to cosmic radiation. However, their greatest challenge comes in the form of Galactus, the legendary world-devourer, played by Ralph Ineson.
Galactus in Fantastic Four: First Steps – YouTube, Marvel Entertainment
The newly released Fantastic Four trailer showcases the main four heroes, a fully CGI version of The Thing, and even HERBIE the Robot, a nostalgic nod to longtime fans. A brief glimpse of Galactus teases the cosmic scale of the story, but one thing is notably missing—there is zero sign of the female Silver Surfer. Julia Garner has been cast as Shalla-Bal instead of the classic Norrin Radd, a controversial move that has already drawn backlash. Could Marvel have deliberately kept her out of the trailer to avoid immediate fan outrage? With how divisive their recent projects have been, it wouldn’t be surprising.
Marvel’s struggles since Avengers: Endgame are well documented. New heroes like Captain Marvel, Miss Marvel, Moon Knight, the Eternals, and Echo have failed to resonate with audiences. The studio’s reliance on a “mantle strategy”—replacing beloved heroes with diversity-driven successors like Kate Bishop as Hawkeye, Riri Williams as Ironheart, Shuri as Black Panther, and Sam Wilson as Captain America—has not been working. The box office failures of The Marvels and The Eternals have only made things worse.
The Thing and Herbie the Robot in Fantastic Four: First Steps – YouTube, Marvel Entertainment
The Fantastic Four and X-Men represent Marvel’s best shot at turning things around. But if Fantastic Four: First Steps falls into the same trap of virtue-signaling and forced diversity, it could spell disaster for the studio. Fans are already wary, and the absence of the female Silver Surfer from the trailer suggests Marvel knows this movie is under intense scrutiny.
The Fantastic Four trailer offers big promises, but can it deliver? This film will be a defining moment—either the one that saves the MCU or the one that proves it’s beyond saving. Fans will find out when Fantastic Four: First Steps hits theaters this year.
What did you think of the Fantastic Four: First Steps trailer? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
