We still have to wait a few months until The Fantastic Four: First Steps brings Marvel's First Family into the MCU, so for now, Marvel Studios has to keep hyping it up. Today, Entertainment Weekly has released a batch of new photos that give us a look at some aspects of the upcoming Fantastic Four film, which is expected to go hard at its '60s setting. The MCU blockbuster is scheduled to release in theaters on July 25.
Director Matt Shakman and the cast also talked about big changes to the Human Torch and Invisible Woman in the film. But first, check out Entertainment Weekly's new images of The Fantastic Four: First Steps stars Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach in the image gallery below:
This version of Fantastic Four won't call Earth-616 home; instead, the studio is taking full advantage of the Multiverse Saga's premise to feature a story in an alternate 1960s New York. "We knew that we'd be on another Earth, so we had a chance to reinvent what the '60s looked like," Shakman told EW. "I was really interested in imagining the Fantastic Four being astronauts. Instead of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin going to the moon, what if it was Reed, Sue, Johnny, and Ben who were really the first to go into outer space, the first to push those boundaries?"
Here's the teaser Entertainment Weekly released for The Fantastic Four: First Steps:
Other than the film's unique setting, it looks like The Fantastic Four: First Steps will be getting a much different take on each member of the team, including Johnny Storm/The Human Torch. Unlike previous movie versions, it looks like we won't be seeing a reckless, womanizing Johnny in the upcoming MCU film.
"He's a man that leads with a lot of bravado, which can be an affront sometimes. But also he's funny," Joseph Quinn said about his role as Johnny Storm. "Myself and [Marvel Studios boss] Kevin [Feige] were speaking about previous iterations of him and where we are culturally. He was branded as this womanizing, devil-may-care guy, but is that sexy these days? I don't think so."
"This version of Johnny is less callous with other people's feelings, and hopefully there's a self-awareness about what's driving that attention-seeking behavior."
Shakman also described Quinn's role in the film: "[Johnny] is really smart. He's on that spaceship for a reason, and I think sometimes people forget that in various comic stories, he's been one of the most heroic of them, even if he's undercutting his heroism at every turn through humor. He's Sue's brother, which means they are cut from similar cloth."
As for Sue Storm, a.k.a. Invisible Woman, she has also undergone some major changes, with Shakman describing her as "the most emotionally intelligent person on the planet. Between [her and Reed], they're building an idealistic society," and that she "helped achieve global demilitarization and peace."
"Matt and I were really aware that there hasn't really been a mother with a baby in these superhero archetypes women have been getting," Kirby told EW. "One of the things I love most from Sue's history is when she becomes Malice, and all her dark stuff comes out. I was obsessed with that chapter of her life."
"So I wanted to make sure that there were tones of Malice in there with her, that she wasn't just the stereotype of a goody, sweet mother."
"I've always been really interested in the mess of femininity, and how can you be both? How can you be all the things? Not just the tough, invincible, powerful woman, but also a mother who gives birth, which is itself a superhero act," Kirby added. "I love that these characters are real humans in a messy family who argue and try to work it out and get things wrong."
What is The Fantastic Four: First Steps about?
Marvel Studios shared an official synopsis for The Fantastic Four: First Steps:
Set against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, Marvel Studios’ ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ introduces Marvel’s First Family as they face their most daunting challenge yet.” Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, they must defend Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer. And if Galactus’ plan to devour the entire planet and everyone on it weren’t bad enough, it suddenly gets very personal.
Directed by WandaVision's Matt Shakman from a script by Eric Pearson, Josh Friedman, Jeff Kaplan, and Ian Springer, The Fantastic Four: First Steps also stars Ralph Ineson as Galactus and Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal/Silver Surfer, as well as Natasha Lyonne, Sarah Niles, John Malkovich, and Paul Walter Hauser in undisclosed roles. It's currently unknown if there will be any Marvel cameos in the film.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set to release in theaters on July 25. Release dates may vary depending on your region.
