‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Unveiled As Official Title Of Marvel Pic – Comic-Con

Marvel’s illustrious First Family made a grand appearance at San Diego Comic-Con, unveiling an exhilarating glimpse into their cinematic future. An enticing concept reel for the highly anticipated “Fantastic Four” debut within the Marvel Cinematic Universe was showcased to the eager audience in Hall H. This teaser, introduced by director Matt Shakman, offered fans a preview of the Space Age aesthetic that will be central to the superhero film. The title of the movie was also revealed: “The Fantastic 4: First Steps.”

“We’re embarking on a retro-futuristic journey into the ’60s. Syd Mead’s visionary designs served as a muse. To me, the ’60s epitomize a spirit of optimism,” Shakman shared, elaborating on the film’s period setting while nodding to the renowned designer’s influence. “The Fantastic Four are dear to me. I adore their unique abilities. Our goal is to stay faithful to the comics while bringing a touch of authenticity to their story.”

Shakman then ceded the stage to a video presentation designed to immerse the audience in the film’s unique flavor. The footage, reminiscent of vintage newsreels, featured scenes such as Mr. Fantastic addressing a disinterested classroom beneath a banner reading “Fantastic Science,” the superhero team’s iconic Fantastic car, space suits, a dramatic rocket launch, and the Thing appearing on a dating show as a mysterious contender. The sequence concluded with a striking image of Galactus, the film’s formidable antagonist.

Additionally, it was announced at the panel that Michael Giacchino known for his work on “Up” and “Lost” will compose the score for “First Steps.” The panelists are set to return to the U.K. on Monday, with production commencing shortly thereafter.

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The star-studded cast includes Pedro Pascal (portraying Reed Richards, also known as Mister Fantastic), Vanessa Kirby (as Susan Storm, the Invisible Woman), Joseph Quinn (Johnny Storm, the Human Torch), and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Ben Grimm, the Thing). They made a dramatic entrance on stage during Marvel’s San Diego Comic-Con panel in Hall H.

When queried about his feelings on joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Pascal responded, “It’s like joining a new family. Few people know that Matt and I have known each other for 25 years. We shared the same manager, and he nearly became my roommate in 1999—until he saw the place and said, ‘never mind.'”

The ensemble cast also includes Julia Garner as the Silver Surfer and Ralph Ineson as Galactus, with Paul Walter Hauser, Natasha Lyonne, and John Malkovich in undisclosed roles.

The “Fantastic Four” franchise has had a tumultuous journey to the big screen. The initial 1994 film, poised for a press tour, was abruptly shelved. It later surfaced that it was produced solely to allow German filmmaker Bernd Eichinger to retain the film rights to the characters, and according to Stan Lee, it “was never intended for public viewing.” In the 2000s, Fox released two films starring Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, and Michael Chiklis, which were commercially successful but met with critical disapproval. This was followed by a widely criticized reboot in 2015 featuring Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael B. Jordan, and Jamie Bell.