Kevin Feige on The Fantastic Four - First Steps: It's the perfect time to launch into a new era

After Captain America and the Thunderbolts, it is now time for a new band of heroes to rise and save the day. The Fantastic Four are all set for take off in First Steps. Marvel's first family, who was teased in the post-credit scene of The Thunderbolts, are all set to take over the big screens this July. For Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige, the return of Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm was more than just a comic-book plotline; it was a deeply personal and creative opportunity. In a statement, Feige said, “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.” ssociation with the Fantastic Four goes back more than two decades, having worked on the early 2000s films directed by Tim Story. Reflecting on those versions, he acknowledged the limitations of the time: “There was still a bit of fear of being silly.” Now, he says, the creative team is embracing everything that makes the team iconic — including their colourful tone and larger-than-life villains.Among the most talked-about changes is the commitment to a more comic-accurate version of Galactus. “In another time, some might consider the notion of somebody with a big, angular helmet walking through a city goofy,” Feige said. “I consider it awesome.”The film is touted to unleash the full spectrum of their appeal, from their '60s retro-future aesthetic and groovy cosmic vibes to, crucially, a comic-accurate portrayal of their most formidable foe, Galactus. Feige says, “In another time, some might consider the notion of somebody with a big, angular helmet walking through a city goofy. I consider it awesome.” Directed by Matt Shakman, The Fantastic Four: First Steps will introduce the MCU versions of the characters, with Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing. The team faces off against Galactus, played by Ralph Ineson, and his Herald, the Silver Surfer, portrayed by Julia Garner.Set against a retro-futuristic backdrop, the film blends cosmic spectacle with intimate family dynamics, as the team is forced to balance heroism with their personal relationships in the face of Earth’s destruction.The Fantastic Four: First Steps is all set to release on July 25, 2025 in India in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.