Movies

Fantastic Four: First Steps Promises to Revive Marvel’s First Family with Exciting Changes!

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Fresh insights about the eagerly awaited Marvel Cinematic Universe film have surfaced at Cinemacon, a gathering primarily attended by theater owners and distributors to generate excitement for studios’ upcoming films. Unlike fan events, it provides rare glimpses of exclusive footage. However, the tidbits from the event regarding how First Steps introduces The Fantastic Four have sparked optimism that Marvel Studios might be reverting back to their successful method of introducing established characters in a fresh manner.

Historically, film adaptations of Marvel Comics characters have aimed to make their heroes seem more “edgy” or “cooler” than they might come across in the comics. This is particularly noticeable in the three films based on Marvel’s “first family,” the Fantastic Four. Despite starting the Marvel Age of Comics, many feel that the Fantastic Four lack the “grit” modern audiences are looking for. However, from what I’ve heard, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, produced by Marvel Studios, seems to understand that these characters are cool just as they are.

The Fantastic Four Began the Marvel Age of Comics, but Not the Marvel Age of Films

From Roger Corman’s Infamous B-Movie to Modern Adaptations, the FF Weren’t ‘Cool’ Enough for Hollywood

These characters were brought to life by a DC Comics team, specifically the Justice League. Due to the popularity of their comic book, Stan Lee was encouraged to establish his own group of superheroes. It’s said that he was considering leaving comics altogether, so this collaboration with Kirby presented an opportunity for him to jointly create a comic he could take pride in. The Fantastic Four became incredibly successful, marking the beginning of what is often considered the most prolific creative era from any team of artists – the Marvel Comic Universe’s Golden Age. These comics were financially successful and were adapted into animation on multiple occasions.

In an effort to bring Marvel characters to life on screen, Bernd Eichinger of Constantin Film acquired the rights to The Fantastic Four in 1983. Notably, before these rights expired, Eichinger hired renowned director Roger Corman to produce The Fantastic Four, a film that was likely never intended for public release. As a devoted reader of Wizard magazine, the news of this film’s cancellation was devastating to me. My pursuit of one of the rare bootleg copies became my personal quest for the Holy Grail. I valued the films that eventually emerged, even before the Marvel Cinematic Universe, though I couldn’t help but notice a faint trend prior to the MCU’s rise.

It appears that the creators of these films, whether they’re directors or studio executives, have often strived to portray comic book heroes as more ‘cool’ and ‘edgy’ compared to their original counterparts in the comics. This tendency seems to suggest a desire to elevate the movies above their source material. This trend persists today, even with critically acclaimed series like “The Dark Knight” trilogy, “The Batman”, or “The Penguin”. Some directors, such as Christopher Nolan and Matt Reeves, might seem reluctant about being associated with comic book adaptations, but Zack Snyder wholeheartedly embraces the medium, even incorporating intricate concepts like Jack Kirby’s ‘Anti-Life Equation’.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps Trailers and Cinemacon Reports Offer Hope for Fans

Marvel Studios Is Reverting to Its Most Trusted ‘Formula’ for ‘Fixing’ Adaptations

At CinemaCon, the upcoming movie “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” was given a big push, and I can hardly wait to see it! The preview presented the FF as guests on a talk show, already renowned heroes, and a close-knit family. Interestingly, the trailer hints at their origin story (maybe a compilation of footage introducing this appearance). However, despite having previously produced three or four films about The Fantastic Four, Marvel Studios isn’t spending time revisiting their origin. This is similar to how they revamped Spider-Man after he entered the MCU. While that’s encouraging, it’s not what makes me optimistic about “First Steps“; instead, I find hope in the fact that they are already depicted as a family.

Regardless of any alterations Marvel Studios might implement from the original comics, the familial bond is undeniably crucial for the Fantastic Four. They were a team long before they gained their powers, and it’s this unique family dynamic that truly distinguishes them from groups like the X-Men or the Avengers. The intrigue and drama won’t stem from these four learning to care for each other, but rather from the complex tensions that only a family can generate. It’s a subtle detail, yet one that Marvel Studios has consistently excelled at when adapting established characters.

The film, titled “Daredevil,” was directed by Mark Steven Johnson in a rushed timeframe of just two months. The studio constantly questioned every move, which led to the final cut being disfigured during editing. When the “Daredevil” series debuted (produced by Marvel Television, not Marvel Studios), it adhered to the same approach. It drew upon fundamental aspects about the characters that could have appeared cheesy in other contexts, but these elements served to tell its tale. This series profited from the liberty to delve into darker and grittier themes compared to its lighter, more comedic theatrical predecessor. However, this same formula nearly doomed the Fantastic Four.

The 2015 Film ‘FANT4STIC’ Shows ‘Dark and Gritty’ Can Be a Big Mistake

The Movie Tried to Make the FF ‘Cooler’ and Robbed Them of Everything Good

As a film enthusiast, I can’t help but express my disappointment with the 2015 reboot of “Fantastic Four.” It wasn’t just the financial and critical flop that made it a tragedy; the tone and narrative were its downfall. The filmmakers missed an opportunity to portray Marvel’s original superhero family as a cohesive unit, instead presenting them as individuals who lacked the essence of a family, the spirit of superheroes, and most crucially, the fun-loving vibe that makes this team unique.

The film spent an hour rehashing an origin story we were already familiar with. The portrayal of their power development was more akin to a horror flick than the exciting journey it should have been. To make matters worse, the relationship between Susan and Johnny Storm, who are biological siblings, became more distant as the movie progressed, rather than strengthening their bond.

In the movie, not only did the main characters display their powers, but a significant portion of their screen time was dedicated to battling each other rather than Marvel’s most formidable adversary. Initially, the characters formed friendships during the early stages of the film, but these connections dissipated following an accident that granted them their abilities. Despite reuniting as a team towards the end, they never truly became a cohesive unit. Their brief moments of unity and growing familiarity fell short, even though they were intended to restore the camaraderie that had emerged during the construction of their grand project.

I must admit, in all fairness, the 2015 Fantastic Four movie did stay true to some aspects of the original source material. However, instead of following the classic Lee and Kirby version, it opted for the Ultimate Marvel interpretation of the team, even making the Baxter Building a government-funded research facility. Notably, it also featured a version of one of the Marvel multiverse’s most detestable villains. In contrast, it seems that First Steps is taking a much more favorable approach to these characters, but let’s delve into how the adaptation from the early 2000s fared as well.

The First Two Fox Fantastic Four Movies Tried to Split the Difference

A Product of Its Time, They Still Misunderstood Marvel’s First Family

Following the release of the 2015 movie, it’s been great to see a renewed appreciation for the first two films directed by Tim Story that initially introduced the Fantastic Four. As someone who grew up with these movies, I can say they were enjoyable, but they didn’t exactly receive critical acclaim or become favorites among older fans. The budget constraints in the initial film are evident, as the characters rarely ventured beyond the Baxter Building, except for their heroic entrance on a bridge and the climactic battle with a slightly less comical Doctor Doom. The second movie had a broader scope, introducing the Silver Surfer into the mix.

These films reflect their era, from the initial film’s rock-n-roll snowboarding scene to the sequel’s dance club setting. Although visual effects have significantly improved since then, portraying the powers convincingly remained challenging. The first Fantastic Four film struggled somewhat to depict their familial bond, whereas the second one came close. However, it still fell short in areas such as making Reed’s character more human and avoiding an overly robotic H.E.R.B.I.E., and it didn’t quite capture the essence of Marvel’s First Family. Despite their cheesy feel, these movies have managed to stand the test of time, but I believe they are still missing the authentic spirit that is evident in First Steps.

Interestingly enough, the flop of “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer” was once seen as a nail in the coffin for the Marvel Cinematic Universe by industry insiders. However, it seems Marvel Studios is returning to the strategies that made them successful in the early 2000s to silence their critics. The upcoming film “First Steps” promises to portray the Fantastic Four authentically as a family, renowned superheroes, and most crucially, as entertaining characters. Filmmakers can draw inspiration from the comics without feeling compelled to create gloomy, gritty, or realistic versions of these characters. Instead, they’ve endured for decades because of their light-hearted nature.

On July 25, 2025, the premiere of The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set for cinemas, whereas the other Fantastic Four movies can be streamed on Disney+.

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2025-05-24 19:21

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