Let's Get Reel

Marvel Studios’ first Fantastic Four movie has been highly anticipated ever since it was officially announced back at San Diego Comic Con in 2019. Fans have hope that Marvel will finally do the team justice after three disappointing films.

Five years later, we finally got the first details on the movie at Hall H last weekend. The stuff shown sounds fantastic. Marvel presented special test footage showing off the 60s inspired tone was shown to the audience, on top of a new title and a real-world Fantasticar. In the end, it did more than reassure people that the film was in good hands, it immediately became one of the most anticipated films of 2025.

Here are 5 things to look forward to in The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

1) The Retro-Futuristic Aesthetic

The SDCC exclusive artwork and footage for The Fantastic Four: First Steps set a bold tone.

The film would be taking inspiration from 1960s retro-futurism a la shows like The Jetsons. Director Matt Shakman isan inspired choice after WandaVision showed his skill at nailing that 60s feel. This will be no different.

The test footage was shot in a 4:3 aspect ratio and took inspiration from shows of the era. While nothing was official, it immediately set The Fantastic Four apart from previous installments.

And it has plenty of leeway to do so since it takes place separate from the rest of the MCU.

2) A Brand New Universe

The Fantastic Four: First Steps offers endless possibilities being set in a different universe than the MCU.

For instance, it allows for the team to have a significant impact on the world without the baggage of answering questions like:

• If Reed Richards is the smartest man in the world, how does he compare to Tony Stark? What about Shuri?
• How does the Fantastic Four as a team fit into a world that’s gone through four Avengers movies?
• If they were going to set it in the 60s, how do they fit into the timeline? Why didn’t they make a significant impact?

It gets tricky. The movie would get bogged down and suffer from a big problem with recent MCU entries: playing in too small of a box. While the MCU is huge, but too often it feels like projects can’t go too big.

A Fantastic Four movie set in an alternate universe allows for Galactus to be a major threat. It’s entirely possible he could win and devour the world. The world-ending stakes in this movie will feel more real than ever.

3) The Fantastic Four: Marvel’s First Family

There are many found family themes in superhero team-ups, but very few actual families. That’s what sets the Fantastic Four apart.

Their family dynamic has always been a defining part of the comics. It’s heartfelt and pure, but it doesn’t shy away from typical family messiness. They fight and don’t always get along, but at the end of the day, they love each other.

This is going to be a special, feel-good movie if they manage to strike that same chord.

4) Michael Giacchino’s Score

Michael Giacchino’s a legendary film composer who’s done the theme for Spider-Man, The Batman, Doctor Strange, Star Trek and even the MCU’s title theme.

In addition to that, he most notably did the music for another 60s-inspired family superhero film: The Incredibles. Giacchino’s score is always something to be excited for. There’s no doubt that he’s cooking up something great for The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

Here’s a tease of the theme at SDCC.

5) A Doctor Doom Tease?

Finally, the biggest question mark of all: will Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom appear?

The internet’s been speculating about an appearance since it was announced he’d been cast as Doom. He’s a Fantastic Four villain, after all. And it doesn’t seem right that they would throw him into Avengers Doomsday with no tease.

We know that the Fantastic Four will appear in both Avengers Doomsday and Avengers Secret Wars. It seems likely that whatever connects the team to the main MCU could include a tease at what’s to come with Doctor Doom.

Perhaps as a post-credit scene? We’ll have to wait and see.

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The Fantastic Four: First Steps releases in theaters July 25, 2025.