Marvel Studios is set to introduce the iconic superhero team, the Fantastic Four, into the Marvel Cinematic Universe with its upcoming film, The Fantastic Four: First Steps. This enormously anticipated epic film serves as a landmark fifth-phase achievement for Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige. This is a team that he has long wanted to have as part of his expanding franchise. Acclaimed documentary film to make UK premiere on July 25. It offers a more immersive, personal cinematic experience than we have felt in past entries including the MCU.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps takes audiences on a journey through an alternate retro-futurist strand of the multiverse, depicting a fantastical version of the mid-20th century. The narrative draws inspiration from the optimistic spirit of the 1950s and 1960s, intertwining Marvel’s signature storytelling with elements reminiscent of the Apollo 11 missions. According to director Matt Shakman, they’re looking to recapture the mood of the time. As he puts it, “This is deeply important to the spirit of the Space Race.”
The unique perspective of this film is evident throughout its production design and filmmaking style. Shakman wants to make sure the world they’re creating feels genuine to that era. He goes on to say, “I specifically wanted it to play like an actual movie that was made in 1965, the same way Stanley Kubrick would have made it. The production team utilized practical sets and props, employing old lenses and techniques to achieve a more grounded representation of space travel. Notably, they constructed a 14-foot-tall spaceship miniature, echoing Kubrick’s use of miniatures in 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Aesthetically, the film focuses on practical effects and real-life, working sets. This decision serves to make it more interesting within the MCU. Shakman expanded upon this aspirational vision. In interviews about the piece, he described a desire to depict a more grounded version of space. This commitment to authenticity sets The Fantastic Four: First Steps apart from typical superhero narratives and promises to captivate audiences with its nostalgic yet innovative storytelling.
Following its release, The Fantastic Four: First Steps will pave the way for the next big Marvel team-up, Avengers: Doomsday. The movie sets the stage for the First Family’s eventual encounters with various worlds in the expansive Marvel Cinematic Universe.