Fantastic Four: First Steps Film Expected July 2025 Release

The upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe film, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, directed by Matt Shakman and starring Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby, is set to release on July 25, 2025. This movie introduces the Fantastic Four in a standalone story set on the alternate Earth-828, a retro-futuristic 1960s-inspired universe, distinct from the main MCU timeline, and does not require viewers to have seen previous MCU films for understanding. The film embraces a bright, hopeful tone with heroes free from angst, focusing on heroism and self-sacrifice, diverging from the darker trends of recent superhero movies. The story features a cosmic threat from Galactus, with the Fantastic Four embarking on a spacefaring mission using a sleek, comic-book-style rocket, embodying a sincere and earnest superhero narrative. The movie also includes nods to previous Fantastic Four adaptations, such as the original 1994 cast appearing as extras, adding layers of fan service. Positioned as the launch of MCU's Phase Six, the film stands as both a nostalgic homage to the Silver Age of comics and a fresh start for the franchise within Marvel's cinematic multiverse.