Summary:
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Marvel Studios premieres Fantastic Four: First Steps to critical acclaim and high praise for cast chemistry and villain adaptation.
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Directed by Matt Shakman, the film introduces a new take on Marvel’s First Family with Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby leading.
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Premiere attendees describe the film as “bold,” “soulful,” and a much-needed tone shift for the MCU.
Marvel Studios rolled out the blue carpet Monday night at Los Angeles’ storied Dorothy Chandler Pavilion for the world premiere of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and if the early buzz is any indication, the MCU might finally have its definitive take on Marvel’s First Family.
Directed by WandaVision‘s Matt Shakman, the film stars Pedro Pascal (Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic), Vanessa Kirby (Sue Storm/Invisible Woman), Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Ben Grimm/The Thing), and Joseph Quinn (Johnny Storm/Human Torch). Rounding out the cosmic ensemble: Ralph Ineson as the menacing Galactus and Julia Garner in a radical reimagining of the Silver Surfer.
The film is the 37th entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and hits theaters worldwide on July 25.
Set on an alternate Earth, First Steps follows the four heroes as they confront Galactus, the planet-devouring entity whose arrival threatens to annihilate their world. Garner’s Silver Surfer has quickly become a fan favorite online, while Ineson’s gravelly Galactus gives the MCU a villain with operatic gravity.
#TheFantasticFour was AMAZING! The cast & their chemistry hold this film up. Pedro delivered my favorite performance as Reed. The score elevates every scene & is sooo prevalent. Galactus is perfectly adapted. This is a film with joy, heart, comedy & more. Solid 8/10. pic.twitter.com/LNVvL3SKHZ
— Matt Ramos (@therealsupes) July 22, 2025
Critics and influencers in attendance called the premiere screening “bold,” “soulful,” and “exactly the tone shift the MCU needed.”
They really did it. The #FantasticFour have FINALLY been given the cinematic treatment they deserved all along. That was one of the most unique & satisfying MCU films yet…. WOW. I need repeat viewings asap. @MarvelStudios @FantasticFour pic.twitter.com/mBS5cCFAgq
— Jake Holland (@pizzabeardparty) July 22, 2025
“Marvel finally nailed the Fantastic Four. First Steps is intimate, weird, and beautiful. Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby have electric chemistry,” tweeted @blurayangel.
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“It’s like if Interstellar and Eternals had a smarter baby,” added @LightsCameraPod.
Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige, attending his first major premiere since the Kang recasting fallout, addressed the press briefly before the screening. “We knew we had to get this one right,” he said. “This is a new foundation.”
While full reviews remain embargoed until Tuesday, the online chatter is overwhelmingly upbeat, calling it one of the most artistically confident MCU films since Black Panther. Fans also praised the score by Ludwig Göransson and the film’s vibrant visual language that blends Jack Kirby-esque cosmic weirdness with grounded human emotion.
The film is set to hit theaters on July 25.
