A Retro‑Future Setting That Feels Fresh
The film opens in the 1960s on an alternate Earth‑828 where Reed Richards and his team are beloved astronaut‑scientists. Director Matt Shakman trades modern cynicism for optimistic retro‑futurism – flying cars, robot helpers like H.E.R.B.I.E., and Mad Men‑style interiors populate a world that feels ripped from Jack Kirby’s pages and Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey. This unique world‑building invites newcomers without MCU homework; the team’s previous adventures play out in a breezy talk‑show montage that brings people up to speed in a similar method of exposition that James Gunn’s Superman used to open the new DC Universe and throw audiences into a new world.
Themes of Family and Sacrifice
At its core, First Steps is about family. Sue Storm’s pregnancy raises the stakes: Galactus offers to spare Earth if Reed and Sue hand over their unborn child Franklin, leading to a moral dilemma that the film resolves quickly. The retro setting allows the family dynamic to shine; Reed’s baby‑proofing antics and Johnny and Ben’s brotherly bickering provide warmth and humour.
Performances: Casting Chemistry
The cast elevates the material:
- Pedro Pascal (Reed Richards) – charismatic as the stretchy genius, conveying both hubris and affection; his chemistry with Sue grounds the film and I mean c’mon, IT’S PEDRO.
- Vanessa Kirby (Sue Storm) – the standout, balancing maternal strength and cosmic power. Her emotional resonance anchors the family.
- Joseph Quinn (Johnny Storm) – brings youthful energy and humour; his Human Torch is charming if underdeveloped.
- Ebon Moss‑Bachrach (Ben Grimm) – imbues the Thing with warmth and sensitivity behind motion‑capture and CGI.
- Julia Garner (Silver Surfer) and Ralph Ineson (Galactus) – steal scenes despite limited screen time; Ineson’s imposing voice and physical costume recall the comics’ cosmic grandeur and all worries surrounding Silver Surfers GCI were discarded – she looked great.
World‑Building and Aesthetic
Shakman’s team crafts tactile sets: Reed’s lab divides into colour‑coded research, thinking and monitoring rooms. The Fantasticar blends mid‑’60s concept‑car elegance with Jetsons‑style turbines. Production design and Michael Giacchino’s orchestral score evoke Space Age optimism. However, the emphasis on style sometimes overshadows character development; Rolling Stone notes that the heroes feel like supporting players in their own story.
Flaws and Missed Opportunities
First Steps stumbles in its second half. The script rushes through complex ethical dilemmas – Sue’s potential sacrifice and the fate of Earth – without giving them proper weight. Pacing is uneven; time skips and montages could leave some viewers disengaged. Villains such as Silver Surfer and Galactus are generic threats without nuanced motivation, and editing reportedly cuts encounters with Red Ghost, making the narrative feel choppy.
Post‑Credits Breakdown: Doom on the Horizon
The mid‑credits scene jumps four years ahead. Sue reads to toddler Franklin before fetching another book; when she returns she finds a cloaked figure in green kneeling beside Franklin, holding a metal mask. Recognising the iconic hood and armour, viewers realise Doctor Doom has arrived. The scene cuts to black with a promise that the Fantastic Four will return in Avengers: Doomsday.
Nerdist notes that it’s unclear whether this Doom is from Earth‑828 or another universe; the film hints at an empty Latverian seat at the Future Foundation, raising questions about his origin. The true post‑credits scene is a playful animated sequence echoing the 1967 Fantastic Four cartoon, offering a nostalgic treat without future implications.
What This Means for Phase 7 and Avengers: Doomsday
Doctor Doom’s longstanding rivalry with Reed Richards makes him the natural antagonist. Speculation abounds about how the Fantastic Four will reach Earth‑616 (The MCU earth as we know it) for the crossover. Some theories suggest Reed may trigger a multiversal incursion by fusing timelines to save Earth‑828, echoing the comic arc in which the Ultimate Nullifier causes universes to collide. CBR notes that a beam in the trailer resembles the Ultimate Nullifier drawing energy, hinting at a possible incursion that strands the team on the main MCU Earth. Nerdist speculates that Franklin Richards will be the MacGuffin for future incursion events.
Franklin Richards: The Multiversal Wild Card
Franklin is born during spaceflight whilst The Fantastic Four escape their first encounter with Galactus. The film’s conclusion is a battle with Galactus; and when Sue seemingly dies pushing the Devourer into a portal, baby Franklin revives her by laying his hands on her chest. This breathtaking moment reveals that the child possesses cosmic power beyond his parents’ abilities. In the comics, Franklin has telekinesis, telepathy, astral projection, matter manipulation, and reality‑warping skills, even creating universes. He can even can harness cosmic energy and alter reality.
Many theorists believe Franklin will play a pivotal role in closing the Multiverse Saga. ScreenRant posits that he could condense parallel realities after Avengers: Secret Wars, allowing Marvel to merge the multiverse into a single timeline and reboot with a new cast, including mutants. Others speculate that Doctor Doom may try to adopt or manipulate Franklin, using the boy’s reality‑altering power to reshape the cosmos and create a Battleworld reminiscent of Jonathan Hickman’s Secret Wars. Some fans even theorise that Franklin will become the next Galactus, fulfilling a cosmic cycle.
The Path to the Mutant Era
Marvel president Kevin Feige has stated that Avengers: Secret Wars (2027) will lead into a new “age of mutants,” finally integrating the X‑Men into the MCU. Feige hinted that future films will introduce recognisable X‑Men before Secret Wars and that the multiverse crossover will pave the way for a mutant‑focused era. Given Franklin’s Omega‑level potential and his comic history as the catalyst for universe‑rebuilding, it’s plausible he could close out the Multiverse Saga and usher in a Mutant Era.
FAQs
Do I need to watch previous MCU films to enjoy Fantastic Four: First Steps?
No. The film is self‑contained and requires no MCU homework. It introduces a new timeline and offers a fresh entry point for newcomers.
Is Franklin Richards a mutant in the film?
The movie doesn’t label him a mutant, but his abilities are astounding. In the comics he is an Omega‑level being who can warp reality, manipulate cosmic energy, and even create universes.
Will there be a sequel or crossover?
Yes. The closing text promises that the Fantastic Four will return in Avengers: Doomsday (December 2026). Marvel boss Kevin Feige has confirmed that Secret Wars will lead into a mutant‑focused era, so expect the team – and Franklin – to play pivotal roles in Phase 7 and beyond.
Does First Steps hint at the X‑Men?
Not overtly, but the introduction of a reality‑warping child and incursion theories foreshadow the multiversal events that could merge timelines and usher in mutants. Feige has said that Secret Wars will segue into an age of mutants.
Conclusion
Fantastic Four: First Steps successfully reimagines Marvel’s First Family with a dazzling retro‑future aesthetic and heartfelt performances. While the narrative falters and its villains underwhelm, the film lays intriguing groundwork for Phase 7. The mid‑credits reveal of Doctor Doom and the introduction of Franklin Richards hint at cosmic power plays, multiversal incursions and the long‑awaited dawn of the X‑Men. If you’re looking for a nostalgic space‑age romp with heartfelt family stakes, this film delivers – just don’t expect it to solve the MCU’s multiverse puzzle yet. What do you hope to see when the Fantastic Four return?