Marvel fans are buzzing with excitement as the highly anticipated debut of the Fantastic Four in the Marvel Cinematic Universe draws near.
Titled The Fantastic Four: First Steps, this film by Matt Shakman will introduce Marvel’s First Family to the big screen on July 25, 2025. Marvel enthusiasts have eagerly awaited this moment, and with the stellar cast, it’s set to be a significant MCU milestone. Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach are stepping into the iconic roles of Reed Richards (Mister Fantastic), Susan Storm (Invisible Woman), Johnny Storm (Human Torch), and Ben Grimm (The Thing).
This all-star cast was officially announced earlier this year, with further additions including Julia Garner as Shala-Bal/Silver Surfer and Ralph Ineson as Galactus. While details about their characters remain scarce, Marvel’s knack for casting iconic figures has raised fans’ expectations sky-high. John Malkovich and Natasha Lyonne have also been cast in undisclosed roles.
Fantastic Four Update
Recently, Natasha Lyonne confirmed to Entertainment Tonight (@etnow) that she wrapped up filming her role in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, teasing her experience in the MCU as a “gift” and referring to her time on the movie as “gravy.”
She’s ‘crushing’ it! Natasha Lyonne calls being a part of the MCU a ‘gift’ and reveals that she is already done filming ‘Fantastic Four.’
She’s ‘crushing’ it! 😂 Natasha Lyonne calls being a part of the MCU a ‘gift’ and reveals that she is already done filming ‘Fantastic Four.’ 🦸♀️ pic.twitter.com/ijxh6NAZks
— Entertainment Tonight (@etnow) October 24, 2024
The Fantastic Four’s introduction marks a pivotal moment in the MCU. John Krasinski’s appearance as Reed Richards in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022) offered a taste of the character. However, Shakman’s version will give a deeper dive into the team’s origins and dynamics, setting up a unique narrative–in an alternate universe–that promises to fold them into the MCU’s ever-expanding Multiverse.
Marvel’s Phase Six
At San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) in August, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige unveiled plans to bring back Robert Downey Jr. to the MCU as the notorious Victor Von Doom. Known for his role as Tony Stark, Downey will now take on Doctor Doom’s mantle. Feige also confirmed that Anthony and Joe Russo, AKA the Russo Brothers, would return to helm these next Avengers films–Avengers: Doomsday (2026) and Avengers: Secret Wars (2027).
The Fantastic Four: First Steps will lead up to some of Marvel’s most monumental films yet, possibly reshaping the MCU’s landscape. With Avengers: Doomsday introducing Doom and Robert Downey Jr. stepping into this iconic villain role, fans are keen to see how the MCU reimagines this character.
Back to 2025, though, and on a more tumultuous note, the MCU is facing mixed reactions around Captain America: Brave New World, slated for February 2025. Directed by Julius Onah, test screenings of the film have reportedly not received favorable responses, and controversies have cast a shadow over its potential success. Nevertheless, the film remains on Marvel’s release slate as a crucial part of the MCU’s narrative leading up to the Phase Five finale.
Following Captain America: Brave New World, Marvel will release Thunderbolts* in May 2025. Dubbed by Disney as the “least-anticipated group of misfits,” the movie will center around a team of unlikely allies.
Unsurprisingly, Blade, initially set for November 2025, has faced several production delays and now faces further setbacks. Once seen as a significant return for the MCU following the Wesley Snipes-led movies that began in 1998, the Blade project has been removed from the slate, with Predator: Badlands now opening in the November 2025 slot.
As The Fantastic Four: First Steps gears up for its summer release, fans are speculating about the Fantastic Four’s role in shaping the future of the MCU. Under Matt Shakman’s direction, the film is being crafted from a screenplay by a team of writers, including Jeff Kaplan, Ian Springer, Josh Friedman, Cameron Squires, Eric Pearson, and Peter Cameron. Filming recently began at Pinewood Studios in London, so it won’t be long before the first teaser footage is released.
Who exactly Natasha Lyonne plays remains a mystery, but as always, Marvel has managed to keep the anticipation high, ensuring that The Fantastic Four: First Steps will be a landmark event in the MCU’s history.
As we await July 25, 2025, fans can only speculate on the dynamic relationships, powerful antagonists, and crossover possibilities that lie ahead. The Marvel Cinematic Universe is undoubtedly about to enter a new era.
How do you feel about the arrival of the Fantastic Four in the MCU? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!