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I Have So Much Confidence In Fantastic Four Being ‘Massive’ After Visiting The Film’s Set And Hearing How The Team Will Be Added To ‘The Mount Rushmore Of The MCU’

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In 2024, TopMob received an invitation to travel to London and tour the set for Matt Shakman’s upcoming film, “The Fantastic Four: First Steps.” I had no idea what awaited me on this adventure. Marvel Studios has been quite secretive about the movie details, but we have managed to gather that it will unfold in a universe distinct from Earth-616 (the primary timeline of the Marvel Cinematic Universe). The storyline won’t be connected to the Reed Richards character introduced in “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” unfortunately for John Krasinski.

In a completely fresh approach, devoid of any ties to previous Fantastic Four franchises under 20th Century Fox, this new version represents an innovative interpretation of Marvel’s First Family. But what could it possibly entail? A sneak peek at the trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps provides a glimpse, featuring The Baxter Building, the application of digital techniques to shape Ben Grimm (Eben Moss-Bacharach), and more realistic representations of The Fantasti-Car and HERBIE the robot.

The various aspects contributed significantly to giving the film a more authentic feel. Having had the opportunity to explore the sets and some of the locations constructed specifically for this movie, I can attest that the prospect of a grand Fantastic Four journey is genuine. Marvel understands that this film must achieve unparalleled success to draw audiences back into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Yet, they also view the Fantastic Four as an untapped cosmos brimming with potential for innovative narratives.

To what extent is the movie original? It’s so unique that when the co-producer Grant Curtis talked about the way they portrayed these iconic characters, he actually invented a term of his own, which he believed perfectly described the family. In an interview with TopMob, Curtis said:

In simpler terms, when examining the history and scope of the Fantastic Four, I find the term “Imagin-auts” particularly fitting. Their realm, their cosmos, their galaxy was immense. To truly honor them, it’s essential to consider the implications of this term on a larger scale than what has been shown before. I believe that’s the key to doing justice to the Fantastic Four – by removing constraints and focusing on the vastness of their world, universe, and galaxy as depicted in the narrative. Matt Shakman’s leadership in this regard helped us understand that there are essentially no boundaries, which sets an appropriate tone for the series.

Over the years, anyone who’s delved into the Fantastic Four comics is well aware that their escapades frequently led them to distant parts of the cosmos, and off Earth nearly as much as they were on it. While previous Fantastic Four films might have touched upon The Negative Zone, they didn’t delve deep enough to satisfy the cravings for knowledge of even the most inquisitive FF enthusiasts.

The argument presented is that those movies featuring the Fantastic Four were produced beyond the creative boundaries of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). However, it’s worth noting that Marvel Studios now owns the rights to these characters. As a result, the upcoming film “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” is seen as their initial genuine entry into the Marvel Universe. It’s important to mention that Kevin Feige, who has been given this opportunity, intends to seize it fully.

Curtis told TopMob on the Fantastic Four set:

Among everyone, Kevin [Feige] has been particularly eager to carry on honoring these characters appropriately and, as previously mentioned, elevate them to the prestigious level in the MCU they’ve never occupied before. This ambition stems from my previous statement. The only means to achieve such greatness is by shedding any constraints. … In essence, our collective professional endeavor revolves around crafting the grandest and most thrilling storyline feasible within a financially prudent framework. And we have been successful in this endeavor.

I have solid evidence for this claim. During my visit to the London sets of The Fantastic Four, I was given a tour that included real, constructed environments such as: a 1960s Times Square with shops, eateries, cinemas, and other establishments; the family’s house within the Baxter Building, featuring various rooms like the living room, kitchen, bedrooms, and more; Reed Richards’ enormous lab that was divided into three sections, providing subtle hints and clues about the family’s past battles and enemies; and also Yancy Street, the notorious New York neighborhood where Ben Grimm, the gruff New Yorker, hails from.

On that memorable day on set, I discovered that the very street we were filming was none other than the iconic Yancy Street, which doubled as the setting for the unforgettable Deadpool Corps scene featuring both Deadpool and Wolverine. However, it was merely transformed to fit the unique costumes of the characters in this instance.

Experiencing these filming locations firsthand, which were crafted exclusively for The Fantastic Four movie, significantly enhances your immersion into this distinct environment tailored just for the series. As a passionate comic book enthusiast, let me express how significant it was for me to step onto Yancy Street and inside the Fantastic Four’s living quarters in The Baxter Building. These visits will contribute greatly to creating the world of this parallel universe.

Grant Curtis pointed out the main lesson he learned during the filming of “Fantastic Four: First Steps,” when I inquired about his key insights from the set visit. He elaborated on this topic.

The key lies in a director who clearly expresses their vision – ‘This is what I want to achieve’ – which resonates strongly as it aligns with the aesthetics of the 1960s (Kubrick, Kirby, and Shakman’s optimism) and echoes the work of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby from 60 years ago. It also reflects Kevin Feige’s aspirations. For me, this alignment has been the most intriguing aspect so far.

The question at hand is whether everything will go smoothly, and we’ll soon discover the answer. Marvel has high expectations for their upcoming MCU film titled “The Fantastic Four: First Steps“. This movie may pave the way for Robert Downey Jr.’s return as a character in “Avengers: Doomsday“. Keep an eye out for “The Fantastic Four” in a cinema close to you on July 25.

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2025-06-04 16:08

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