Kevin Feige Sets Sky-High Expectations for THE FANTASTIC FOUR
In a recent chat with Empire, Feige made it clear that this film isn't just another chapter in the MCU. It's something much bigger.
'I think that there are no four characters that are more important for the history of Marvel. When Disney bought Fox, it was really an unexpected dream come true.
'It came at the perfect time to help us launch into a new era. They are Marvel's First Family, and I really wanted to do them justice.'
Feige himself helped produce the 2005 and 2007 versions of fantastic four, and while they had their moments, they never quite captured what made the characters iconic. This time, the training wheels are off.
'There was still a bit of fear of being silly,' Feige admitted.
Marvel's early attempts at the Fantastic Four held back, maybe worried audiences wouldn't buy into stretchy limbs or rock-skinned heroes. But the MCU has since normalized the craziness of Marvel. Now, it's ready to embrace the cosmic weirdness the Fantastic Four deserve.
If you were worried the new film would play it safe, Feige put that to rest with a Galactus-sized tease:
'In another time, some might consider the notion of somebody with a big, angular helmet walking through a city goofy. I consider it awesome.'
I love that Feige isn't interested in toning Galactus down and that he's just going to go all in with the villain. It looks like they're leaning into the craziness of their story and I hope that the movie gives all of these character same kind of narrative weight that Marvel deliverd with their earliert films.
I remember during the high of Marvel Studios, fans we're like, 'Give The Fantastic Four back to Marvel so they could make a great movie!' Well, here we are, and I hope Marvel succeeds in making fans happy!
Director Matt Shakman recently described the film's visual approach as 'a blend of Jack Kirby's vibrant artistry and Stanley Kubrick's epic, otherworldly vision.' That gives us a pretty good idea of the creative ambition behind this thing. It's cosmic, it's colorful, and it's daring in a way that feels like a fresh jolt to the Marvel formula.
'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 (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.'
Directed by WandaVision 's Matt Shakman, the film boasts a high-profile cast led by Pedro Pascal (Reed), Vanessa Kirby (Sue), Joseph Quinn (Johnny), and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Ben), with a supporting lineup that includes John Malkovich, Natasha Lyonne, Paul Walter Hauser, and Sarah Niles in yet-to-be-revealed roles.
The script was originally written by Jeff Kaplan and Ian Springer, it was revised by Cameron Squires and Avatar: The Way of Water co-writer Josh Friedman, with Eric Pearson ( Thor: Ragnarok, Black Widow ) giving it the final pass.
The movie is set to be released on July 25th.
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