Marvel Studios is kicking-off Phase Six of the Marvel Cinematic Universe with The Fantastic Four: First Steps, the 37th overall film in the MCU.
Set against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, The Fantastic Four: First Steps introduces Marvel’s First Family–Reed Richards / Mister Fantastic, Sue Storm / Invisible Woman, Johnny Storm / Human Torch and Ben Grimm / The Thing 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.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps was directed by Matt Shakman from a screenplay by Josh Friedman, Eric Pearson, Jeff Kaplan, and Ian Springer. The film stars Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards / Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm / Invisible Woman, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm / The Thing, and Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm / Human Torch as the titular team as well as Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal / Silver Surfer, Paul Walter Hauser as Harvey Elder / Mole Man, Ralph Ineson as Galactus, and Natasha Lyonne.
Additionally, Matthew Wood voices the team’s robot companion H.E.R.B.I.E., while John Malkovich appears in an undisclosed role. It has been rumored that Robert Downey Jr. is also expected to appear as Victor von Doom / Doctor Doom in a post-credits scene.
First Steps marks the second reboot featuring the iconic team. The first feature film released in 2005 from 20th Century Fox, which also had a sequel, then rebooted in 2015 prior to Fox selling to Disney. There was also an unreleased film from 1994 starring Alex Hyde-White as Mister Fantastic.
The characters in the film are based on the team created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby for Marvel Comics. The team first appeared in The Fantastic Four #1 (November 1961).
The Fantastic Four: First Steps will be released in the United States on July 25, 2025 in IMAX, ScreenX, and 4DX.
