Marvel’s iconic Fantastic Four, often called the “First Family,” is finally getting another shot at a big-screen adventure as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). This is exciting news for fans who have waited over a decade to see these beloved characters reimagined for a new generation.
The Fantastic Four have a long and somewhat bumpy film history. Their first appearance in 1994 was a low-budget effort, more of a curiosity than a serious attempt. In 2005, they got a bigger budget but ended up with a goofy tone that didn’t quite capture the essence of the comics. A 2007 sequel didn’t fare much better. Then came the infamous 2015 reboot, a critical and commercial disaster that almost killed any hope for a decent Fantastic Four movie ever again.
But fear not, true believers! With Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Studios, the film rights for the Fantastic Four reverted to Marvel. This means Marvel Studios, the team behind the hugely successful MCU, finally has the chance to introduce these classic characters to their ever-expanding universe.
Fans have waited for the news about this new Fantastic Four film since its announcement in 2020. There have been plenty of rumors and speculation, but now we’re getting some concrete details.
Keep reading to learn everything we know about the return of Marvel’s First Family, including the release date, cast, plot hints, and more!
A Table Summarizing the Key Points
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | The Fantastic Four: Marvel’s First Family Reboot |
| Director | Matt Shakman |
| Release Date | July 25, 2025 |
| Cast | Pedro Pascal (Reed Richards), Vanessa Kirby (Susan Storm), and more to be announced |
| Plot | Origin story, family dynamics, and integration into the MCU |
The Origins and Significance of the Fantastic Four
Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1961, the Fantastic Four marked the birth of the Marvel Universe. Their adventures ushered in a new era of storytelling and became the foundation for countless Marvel comics. After various adaptations, they are finally making their official MCU debut.
Does The Fantastic Four Have a Release Date?
The Fantastic Four is the latest MCU film to undergo a release date shake-up, as it is now set to release on Friday, July 25, 2025. That means The Fantastic Four has swapped places with another anticipated theatrical Marvel film, the Thunderbolts ensemble anti-hero film. It’s a somewhat surprising switch-up given that Thunderbolts has been facing some casting issues, but it still primes The Fantastic Four to open Marvel Studios’ Phase 6 the same year that Thunderbolts concludes Phase 5.
Does The Fantastic Four Have a Trailer?
The Fantastic Four hasn’t begun production at this time, so a trailer is still a long way off. However, we did get something in terms of marketing material on Valentine’s Day 2024, when Marvel announced the film’s new release date, and its hotly anticipated cast with a retro-’60s style poster.
Who are The Cast member of The Fantastic Four?
The casting rumors and leaks are finally over! We now know who will bring the Fantastic Four to life on the big screen as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Leading the team is Pedro Pascal, a powerhouse actor known for his roles in “Game of Thrones,” “The Mandalorian,” and “The Last of Us.” He’ll play the brilliant scientist Reed Richards, also known as Mr. Fantastic, who possesses the ability to stretch his body to incredible lengths. While some fans thought John Krasinski might reprise his role from “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” it seems that was just a cameo.
Vanessa Kirby plays opposite Pascal as his love interest, Sue Storm (the Invisible Woman). Her career has been on a similar upward trajectory, with recent roles in the Mission: Impossible franchise and Ridley Scott’s Napoleon. Sue has the power to turn invisible and create powerful force fields.
Sue’s younger brother, Johnny Storm, the hotheaded Human Torch, will join the family. This role goes to Joseph Quinn, who stole hearts as Eddie Munson in the popular Netflix series Stranger Things. Johnny can engulf himself in flames and project fire.
Rounding out the Fantastic Four is Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm, the ever-lovin’ Thing. Moss-Bachrach impressed audiences with his performance as Cousin in “The Bear” and had a memorable role in “Andor.” After exposure to cosmic rays, Ben transformed into a powerful being with a rock-like exterior.
The official poster also hinted at another member—the Fantastic Four’s robotic companion, H.E.R.B.I.E. While there has been no casting announcement for this role yet, fans are eager to see who will bring this helpful robot to life.
In an exciting bonus, it was announced in April 2024 that Julia Garner, the Emmy-winning actress from “Ozark,” will be portraying the Silver Surfer. The comics contain two main versions of the Silver Surfer – Norrin Radd and Shalla-Bal. While Norrin might be the more familiar name, Shalla-Bal is a powerful character in her own right and was once Norrin’s lover. It’s still unknown if Norrin Radd will appear in the film alongside Shalla-Bal. Notably, Doug Jones and Laurence Fishburne previously portrayed Norrin Radd in the 2007 sequel “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.”
Who is Making The Fantastic Four?(Producer,Director)
The Fantastic Four movie got a shake-up behind the scenes! Originally, Jon Watts, who directed the Spider-Man movies with Tom Holland, was supposed to be the director. However, he decided to step away and focus on a new Star Wars series for Disney+.
Taking the helm of The Fantastic Four is now Matt Shakman, a director known for his work on hit television shows. He directed all the episodes of the popular Marvel series WandaVision.
The script for the movie is being written by a team of talented writers: Josh Friedman (known for Avatar: The Way of Water) and the duo of Jeff Kaplan and Ian Springer (who wrote The Last of the Great Romantics). And of course, Marvel Studios wouldn’t be complete without Kevin Feige at the top, serving as the executive producer.
Are the Previous ‘Fantastic Four’ Adaptations Streaming Online?
The previous adaptations of Fantastic Four are available for streaming on various platforms. Here are the details:
2005 Film ‘Fantastic Four’:
‘Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer’ (2007)
Picking up where Fantastic Four left off is Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, which sees the team face a deadly intergalactic threat. They discover their planet is facing several cataclysmic disasters, with the source of these disasters being an alien being called The Silver Surfer (Laurence Fishburne/Doug Jones). To find out what the Surfer’s purpose and intent is, the team is forced to work together with their old enemy, Doctor Doom. Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer is streaming on Disney+.
Directed by Josh Trank, this adaptation is also available on platforms like Disney+ and Starz .
The Plot and Expectations
While specific plot details are under wraps, we can expect a fresh take on the Fantastic Four’s origin story. The film will likely explore their transformation, family dynamics, and place in the larger MCU. As Kevin Feige, the mastermind behind the MCU, stated, the Fantastic Four will become a significant pillar of the universe, just as they have been in the comics for decades.
The Fantastic Four’s return promises excitement, nostalgia, and a fresh perspective on these beloved characters. Get ready for a fantastic adventure in the Marvel Universe!
