Latest news with #Earth-828
Forbes
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
‘Fantastic Four'—Galactus, Franklin, And The Twist Ending, Explained
The Human Torch (Joseph Quinn), the Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), Mister Fantastic (Pedro Pascal) and Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby) Marvel/Disney Finally, the Fantastic Four have arrived in the MCU, but are still separated from the Avengers, existing within a retro-futuristic world known as 'Earth-828.' Fantastic Four largely skips over the team's origin story, jumping straight to the fateful pregnancy of Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby) and the birth of her son, Franklin. While the Human Torch (Joseph Quinn) and the Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) are happy to have survived their encounter with Galactus, Mister Fantastic (Pedro Pascal) can't stop thinking about his son's destiny. After the Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) heralds the arrival of Galactus (Ralph Ineson), announcing that Earth is next on the menu, the Fantastic Four head into space to negotiate with the big, hungry giant, and quickly learn that giving up baby Franklin is the only way to save their planet. Galactus informs them that Franklin is astonishingly powerful, and is one of the few individuals who could inherit his role as the Devourer of Worlds. After the team makes it safely back to Earth, they experience a loss of faith from the public, who want them to sacrifice the baby for the greater good. Mister Fantastic focuses his considerable brainpower on a solution, while the Human Torch works to decode the alien language of the Silver Surfer. Galactus reveals that he used to be a human being, but has been alive for billions of years, a slave to his terrible hunger. He seeks a successor in Franklin, in order to finally put an end to his cosmic appetite. In the comics, Galactus was originally known as Galan—he was an ordinary person born on a doomed alien world. In the wake of his planet's destruction, Galan was reborn as Galactus, the Devourer of Worlds. The Devourer of Worlds is actually an essential role in the Marvel universe, a natural part of the multiverse cycle, as the life and energy Galactus consumes will eventually return to the universe. After he analyzes baby Franklin, Galactus seems to see a dark future for the boy. Who Is Baby Franklin, And What Are His Powers? Baby Franklin is an immensely powerful mutant, and we get a glimpse of his powers at the end of Fantastic Four , when he resurrects his mother after she dies to save him. This is just a glimpse at his future potential—in the comics, Franklin can reshape reality, blast powerful energy beams, predict the future, and more. Indeed, Franklin is practically a god, destined to survive the end of the universe and become the next Devourer of Worlds, within a new universe. It's unclear if the MCU is going to embrace this almighty version of Franklin—his powers and destiny might be toned down somewhat. However, it is implied that in this film, Franklin is not destined to inherit the role of Galactus, but is merely powerful enough to do so. 'Fantastic Four's' Ending And Post-Credits Scene, Explained The combined efforts of the team are not quite enough to conceal baby Franklin from the all-seeing eye of Galactus. But the giant's powerful ally, the Silver Surfer, has experienced a change of heart, thanks to the Human Torch. It is revealed that the Surfer's name is Shalla-Bal, and like Galactus, she was once mortal, choosing to sacrifice her humanity to save her own planet, bound in the service of Galactus. After the Human Torch reminds her of her tragic past, the Surfer rediscovers her empathy, and decides to sacrifice herself once more. The team succeeds in pushing Galactus into a powerful teleporter, thanks to the final push from the Silver Surfer, transporting her and the giant into a galaxy far, far away. Notably, this has delayed Galactus, but is not guaranteed to stop his return. The Fantastic Four has protected Franklin and survived their brief PR crisis, but a new villain is immediately introduced in the film's post-credit scene—Doctor Doom. Doctor Doom is the adversary of the Fantastic Four, and one of Marvel's most iconic villains, a genius scientist who also dabbles in magic. While Doom usually conceals his face, either due to a terrible mutilation (or sometimes, vanity, bearing an amusingly minor scar), he is shown in the post-credits scene with his mask off. Marvel made an unusual and fairly controversial casting choice with Doom, casting Robert Downey Jr. in the role. Notably, this is not an alternative version of Iron Man, but a brand new character in the multiverse who resembles Tony Stark, seemingly by coincidence. As Doom is shown crouching over Franklin, it is clear that the devious Doctor is interested in harnessing the boy's superpowers for his own ends. At the moment, the Fantastic Four remain in their original universe, disconnected from the main MCU, but will surely require the help of the Avengers to deal with Doom. The two universes will surely collide in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday , which aims to repeat the spectacle of Infinity War and Endgame , bringing back beloved characters to face an almighty super villain. MORE FROM FORBES Forbes Did James Gunn Succeed In Rebooting 'Superman'? By Dani Di Placido Forbes Robert Downey Jr.'s Casting As Doctor Doom Sparks Backlash From Fans By Dani Di Placido Forbes The Controversial Donald Trump 'South Park' Episode, Explained By Dani Di Placido Forbes What Is 'Squid Game' Season 3 Really About? By Dani Di Placido
Mint
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps' review: New Marvel effort is competent at best
Writer Stan Lee and artist Jack Kirby premiered the Fantastic Four in a comic book in 1961, and the quartet soon came to be known as Marvel's 'first family'. They lived together as a family, tackling both interpersonal issues and intergalactic threats. The Fantastic Four: First Steps is a reboot with a brand-new cast that places this family of superheroes firmly within the MCU's multiverse sprawl. Set on Earth-828, First Steps recalls how four space travellers were transformed into beings with superpowers. It begins with a fateful space mission led by Dr. Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), accompanied by astronauts Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn), his sister Susan Storm (Vanessa Kirby), and Reed's best friend Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach). When their ship passes through a cosmic storm, the event changes them forever. Reed Richards, aka Mr. Fantastic, is a no-nonsense genius with an elastic body. Sue Storm, aka Invisible Woman, can create force fields and turn invisible. Johnny Storm becomes the Human Torch, able to burst into flames and fly. Ben Grimm is physically transformed into The Thing, a super-strong, rock-skinned pilot and fighter—with sad eyes. Their trusted assistant is a robot named HERBIE. Four years after the incident, the group is known and revered as the Fantastic Four—protectors of the planet. The team is more or less settled into their roles when things go wildly off the rails. The Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) arrives with a warning: Galactus, a cosmic force with an insatiable appetite, is headed toward Earth to devour the planet. The Fantastic Four embark on a discovery mission, but when they return, it's not as heroes—instead, they bring back information that turns public opinion against them. It's now up to the Fantastic Four to save both their family and the planet from Galactus. Director Matt Shakman delivers a familiar setup and while Jack Kirby's colourful cartoon vibrancy is felt in some of the film's aesthetic, the overall tone feels surprisingly weary—particularly because Pedro Pascal himself looks worn out. The cast does their best with the material. The actors bring a decent dynamic to the group, even if some roles feel undercooked. Reed is earnest but lacks the emotional depth the character demands. Susan is caught between duty and maternal instincts, though Vanessa Kirby appears uncomfortable handling a baby. Johnny is given the most interesting arc, and Quinn injects some much-needed energy into the group. Ben provides the emotional core, occasionally grappling with his monstrous form. The team chemistry works in moments, but there is barely enough breathing room for them to feel like a real family. A few endearing moments do land—Reed baby-proofing the apartment in preparation for Franklin's birth, and Ben attempting to connect with a schoolteacher are notable highlights. Plot-wise, the film hits all the expected beats: discovery, conflict, a third-act citywide disaster, all barreling toward the end-credits scene that teases the next MCU tie-in. The Fantastic Four: First Steps is competent at best—a reboot with cosmic ambition that barely attains lift-off. Udita Jhunjhunwala is a Mumbai-based writer.
Gulf Weekly
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Gulf Weekly
Heroes return
Marvel superhero film The Fantastic Four: First Steps is out now in theatres. Starring Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Joseph Quinn, the film tackles the titular team who must protect their 1960s-inspired retro-futuristic world Earth-828 from the planet-devouring cosmic Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his herald the Silver Surfer (Julia Garner). Known for her role as Nadia Vulvokov in the Netflix series Russian Doll, actress Natasha Lyonne is also set to appear in the film. 'I think people are going to love it (the film), and I'm so proud to be a part of it,' she said in an interview. Director Matt Shakman revealed that he cast the Marvel heroes without auditions, explaining that he had an instinct for who would be right for each part. 'Great actors create great chemistry. You bring people together, and you build a process that supports the building of that chemistry,' he said. The director made sure to decorate the rehearsal room in a 1960s style and had the cast learn period dances. He also included archival stills from National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) launches to immerse the performers into the film's atmosphere. 'We approached the story dramaturgically as you would a play, before we got on our feet with anything,' Pedro, who plays the role of Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, said. 'It was Matt setting up the circumstances to be together as a cast and flesh out a language that bonded each of us together as a family,' he added. The film marks the comic heroes' return to the big screen since the critical and commercial failure of 20th Century Fox's Fantastic Four (2015). It is expected to be received positively due to the new version's vibrant retro aesthetic that better captures the illustrated books' essence than its predecessor's dark and edgy approach.
Straits Times
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
The Fantastic Four: First Steps Review
(Clockwise from top left) Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Joseph Quinn in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. The Fantastic Four: First Steps (PG) 115 minutes, opens on July 24 ★★★★☆ The story: On Earth-828, human society has made great leaps in technology by the 1960s. The planet is protected by guardians dubbed The Fantastic Four by the media. Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), his wife Sue Storm/Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby), Reed's best friend Ben Grimm/The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) and Sue's brother Johnny Storm/Human Torch (Joseph Quinn) are astronauts who, four years ago, travelled to space and returned with superpowers from an encounter with cosmic rays. Their gifts are put to the test with the arrival of the Silver Surfer (Julia Garner), a herald of doom announcing that the planet will be consumed by her master Galactus (Ralph Ineson), a cosmic being who devours worlds. Here we go again: A new decade, a new Fantastic Four reboot. Marvel has analysed the previous failures and tweaked the formula. Its answer? A slightly older cast, whose members are comfortable with and confident in their superpowers. Compared with the 2005 version, which had the beats of a sitcom built around a dysfunctional family, or the 2015 reboot, a brooding exploration of what it means to be different, this iteration of the comic book heroes presents them as the picture of mental health. Reed and Sue are a couple deeply in love. Ben and Johnny have professional respect and admiration for each other. In one revealing scene, Johnny and Ben are together, minus Sue and Reed, preparing dinner. In lesser hands, this would have been a moment for mean-spirited quips, or building jokes around the idea of the armour-encrusted The Thing being clumsy in the kitchen or a cocky Human Torch shooting flames to cook sausages. Instead, Ben is portrayed as a delicate perfectionist, with Johnny his wary but respectful companion who 'flames on' only in the line of duty. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore S'pore's domestic recycling rate drops to all time low of 11% Singapore HDB launches 10,209 BTO and balance flats, as priority scheme for singles kick in Business Singapore's digital banks finding their niche in areas like SMEs as they narrow losses in 2024 Asia Japan Prime Minister Ishiba to resign by August, Mainichi newspaper reports World Trump says US will charge 19% tariff on goods from Philippines, down from 20% Singapore Two found dead after fire in Toa Payoh flat Singapore 2 foreigners arrested for shop theft at Changi Airport Singapore Ports and planes: The 2 Singapore firms helping to keep the world moving As Ben notes in another scene, catchphrases like 'flame on' belong only in cartoons. The two of them set the table and, in a charming display of sensitivity, wonder if it would be impolite to start the meal without Reed and Sue. These are among the small character-based surprises director Matt Shakman sprinkles throughout the film. His gift for character-driven drama has been showcased in the Emmy-winning Disney+ miniseries WandaVision (2021), which had the American film-maker directing all nine episodes of the story centred on Marvel's Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen). (From left) Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic and Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. PHOTO: THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY In First Steps, the retro-futuristic setting – featuring furniture, flying cars and rocket ships from the minds of designers from a parallel world where it is still 1960 – feels natural and lived-in, yet unlike anything seen in a Swinging Sixties picture. The sense of mystery that drives WandaVision pervades this movie as well. Haunting the minds of all four heroes is the question of Sue's unborn child, glimpsed in the movie's trailer. The irradiated couple's worries about the physical state of the baby are handled with a graceful economy, within a story that opens the door to the wider Marvel Cinematic Universe without making it obvious. Hot take: This reboot succeeds by focusing on emotionally mature, mentally well-adjusted characters rather than rehashing the dysfunction and angst of previous versions.
News18
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Fantastic Four First Steps Star Ebon Moss-Bachrach Teases His Role In Avengers: Doomsday
Last Updated: Slated for December 18, 2026, the film will show a clash between Earth-828's world's greatest heroes and Earth-616's mightiest leads in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday. Fans are in for a treat! Marvel Studios is gearing up for a multiverse explosion as The Fantastic Four: First Steps hits theatres on July 25. Officially kicking off Phase 6 of the MCU, Matt Shakman's directorial marks the official debut of Marvel's First Family in the main MCU timeline, Earth-828. The highly anticipated debut introduces Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm. But the excitement doesn't stop there. The four will next appear in Avengers: Doomsday, a crossover no one expected but will definitely love. Slated for December 18, 2026, the film sets the stage for a larger multiverse event, teasing a clash between Earth-828's world's greatest heroes and Earth-616's mightiest heroes in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday. At the UK premiere for The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Ebon Moss-Bachrach gave fans a cryptic tease. When asked to describe Avengers: Doomsday in four words, he reportedly called Avengers: Doomsday 'Epic. Tragic. Intergalactic. Starry." Co-star Joseph Quinn echoed the same, describing it as 'epic, mental, Downey Jr." The star-studded ensemble includes returning Robert Downey Jr. (Doctor Doom), Avengers Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Anthony Mackie (Captain America), Paul Rudd (Ant-Man), Tom Hiddleston (Loki), Alex Livinalli (Attuma), Florence Pugh (Yelena Belova/Black Widow), Sebastian Stan (Bucky Barnes/the Winter Soldier), David Harbour (Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian), Hannah John-Kamen (Ava Starr/Ghost), Channing Tatum (Remy LeBeau/Gambit), Simu Liu (Shang-Chi), Letitia Wright (Shuri/Black Panther), Winston Duke (M'Baku), Tenoch Huerta Mejía (Namor), Mabel Cadena (Namora), Wyatt Russell (John Walker/U.S. Agent), and Lewis Pullman (Bob Reynolds/Sentry). Also making major comebacks are beloved X-Men movie cast members like Patrick Stewart (Professor X), Ian McKellen (Magneto), Alan Cumming (Nightcrawler), Kelsey Grammer (Beast), Rebecca Romijn (Mystique), and James Marsden (Cyclops), setting the stage for an all-out multiversal war heading into Avengers: Secret Wars, slated for December 17, 2027. Coming to the highly anticipated film The Fantastic Four: First Steps, the film offers a deeper look into the epic showdown led by Marvel's First Family. Upon their return to Earth, the four are willing to lead a peaceful life with Reed Richards waiting for the arrival of his bundle of joy. But their peace is short-lived when the enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner), glides through space and issues a fair warning to the four. Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
