If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps - The cast, release date, plot, and more behind MCU's next tentpole

There have been four failed Fantastic Four movies - now Marvel Studios will do it themselves with First Steps.

Fantastic Four
Image credit: Marvel Studios

Another decade, another Fantastic Four adaptation. The Fantastic Four: First Steps marks the introduction of Marvel's First Family into the MCU. Considering how foundational the first one hundred issues of the Fantastic Four were to Marvel Comics' Silver Age, it's about time that we see Reed, Sue, Ben, and Johnny join the MCU proper. 

The Fantastic Four: First Steps marks the fourth iteration of the group in a live-action adaptation, if we're also counting the film produced by Roger Corman from the '90s. Auspicious! Without further ado, let's take a look at everything we know about The Fantastic Four: First Steps. 

Who is in The Fantastic Four: First Steps cast?

Fantastic Four logo
Image credit: Marvel Studios

Marvel Studios has announced the core members of the Fantastic Four for First Steps, alongside other key players like Silver Surfer and Galactus.

  • Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards (Mister Fantastic)
  • Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm (The Invisible Woman)
  • Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm (The Human Torch)
  • Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm (The Thing)
  • Ralph Ineson as Galactus
  • Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal (Silver Surfer)
  • Natasha Lyonne in an undisclosed role
  • Paul Walter Hauser in an undisclosed role
  • John Malkovich in an undisclosed role

Who is The Fantastic Four: First Steps director?

The film is directed by Matt Shakman, best known for directing the Game of Thrones episodes, "The Spoils of War" and "Eastwatch," as well as episodes of WandaVision. Shakman has also directed episodes of The Great, The Boys, Succession, Fargo, and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Originally, Spider-Man: Homecoming director Jon Watts was signed on to direct First Steps, but bowed out of the project in 2022. 

When will The Fantastic Four: First Steps release date? 

 

D23 Expo Studio Showcase 2 panel
Image credit: Getty Images/Walt Disney Company

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set to release in theaters on July 25th, 2025. That's the same weekend as San Diego Comic-Con! 

When is The Fantastic Four: First Steps set?

Fantastic Four poster detail
Image credit: Ryan Meinerding (Marvel Studios)

Kevin Feige has confirmed that The Fantastic Four: First Steps will be a period piece. This, of course, is not the first time an MCU film has been set in a different time period. 2019's Captain Marvel was set in the 1990s, for instance. However, while the art for First Steps has had a distinctly 1960s feel, Feige's comments lead us to believe that not everything may be as it appears to be. 

Who is the The Fantastic Four: First Steps villain?

Galactus
Image credit: Adi Granov (Marvel Comics)

At this moment, we don't know, but given that Ralph Ineson is playing the planet-eating Galactus, that gives us a sense that the film will be cosmic in some way. 

Will Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom appear in The Fantastic Four: First Steps?

Doctor Doom on a throne
Image credit: Marvel

Again, we don't know at this time, but given the rivalry between Reed Richards and Victor von Doom in Fantastic Four comics, it would be hard to imagine a reboot of the FF without Doom around. Doctor Doom is beloved by generations of Marvel fans because of his commitment to being a hater, and no Fantastic Four film has yet brought this element to life.  

The Fantastic Four: First Steps will release in theaters on July 25th, 2025. 


Turns out, it was New York Comic Con all along – as the place to meet Wanda and Vision themselves, Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany! Limited Thursday NYCC 2024 tickets are still on sale, and then make sure to scoop your Photo Op with them for bragging rights on the ‘gram. 

 

Jules Chin Greene

Jules Chin Greene: Jules Chin Greene is a journalist and Jack Kirby enthusiast. He has written about comics, video games, movies, and television for sites such as Nerdist, AIPT, Multiverse of Color, and Screen Rant.

Comments

Want to join the discussion? Please activate your account first.
Visit Reedpop ID if you need to resend the confirmation email.

View Comments (0)

Find out how we conduct our review by reading our review policy