The Fantastic Four: First Steps Teases A Very Personal Mission

The cast of "The Fantastic Four: First Steps." — Marvel Studios

By this time next year, the Fantastic Four will officially join Marvel’s Cinematic Universe.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps still has seven months before its release, with filming currently underway in Europe. While Marvel typically keeps details of its projects tightly under wraps, the studio has shared the first synopsis for The Fantastic Four: First Steps, indicating that it will be a deeply personal story for the superhero team.

“Set in a vibrant, retrofuturistic world influenced by the 1960s, The Fantastic Four: First Steps introduces Marvel’s First Family — Reed Richards, also known as Mister Fantastic, Sue Storm as the Invisible Woman, Johnny Storm as the Human Torch, and Ben Grimm as The Thing — as they confront their greatest challenge yet,” the synopsis explains. “They must juggle their heroic duties with the strength of their familial bonds while defending Earth against a relentless cosmic entity known as Galactus and his mysterious Herald, Silver Surfer. To make matters worse, Galactus’ plan to consume the planet becomes deeply personal for them.”

The cast features Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing. Ralph Ineson takes on the role of the menacing Galactus, while Julia Garner portrays Shalla-Bal/Silver Surfer.

The first official synopsis for ‘THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS’ has been released:

Set against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” introduces Marvel’s First Family—Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Sue… pic.twitter.com/gZK7kOJLxq

— Fantastic Four Updates (@F4Update) November 15, 2024

Actors Paul Walter Hauser, John Malkovich, Natasha Lyonne, and Sarah Niles are also part of the cast in unspecified roles. Whether Robert Downey Jr. will reprise his role as Doctor Doom, one of the Fantastic Four’s most formidable foes, is still uncertain. If he does return, it’s likely to be towards the end of the film or in a post-credits scene.

Matt Shakman is directing The Fantastic Four, with Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige serving as producer. This film will kick off Phase Six of the MCU.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set to hit theaters on July 25, 2025.