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It's time for the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with the launch (get it?) of the first trailer for Marvel Studios' The Fantastic Four: First Steps, giving the world its first official chance to see what the 'first family' of Marvel looks like in its latest cinematic incarnation. (There have, after all, been plenty of earlier attempts to bring the characters to the screen.)

The trailer debuted as part of a livestream event February 4. (We will, if nothing else, appreciate the adherence to the "4" of it all with the date of the reveal.) Take a look for yourself:

The official plot synopsis of the movie, directed by Matt Shakman (WandaVision), reads as follows: "Set against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps introduces Marvel’s First Family — Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm/Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm/Human Torch (Joseph Quinn) and Ben Grimm/The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) 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 (Ralph Ineson) and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner). And if Galactus’ plan to devour the entire planet and everyone on it weren’t bad enough, it suddenly gets very personal.”

Galactus? The Silver Surfer? A "very personal" mission to save the Earth... and an Earth that is, notably, not the regular Earth of the MCU? Sounds like there's a lot to enjoy in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, including some retro designs inspired by classic film designer Syd Mead, as well as an Easter Egg or two paying tribute to the history behind the heroes.

The new trailer was initially teased by a suitably retro teaser featuring kids gathering around a television set to watch a broadcast from the Future Foundation, the first footage from the project to be released to the public... although fans at San Diego got a sneak peak back in summer 2024.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps arrives in theaters July 25, 2024.

Want more? Make sure you've read our list of all the best Marvel Comics stories of all time, and get ready for all the free Marvel comics coming as part of this year's Free Comic Book Day / Comics Giveaway Day events.