“Fantastic Four: First Steps” Embracing The ‘Silly’

While critics saw “Thunderbolts” as a welcome course correction for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the film’s soft box office indicates audiences aren’t rushing out to see Marvel films unless bigger-name heroes show up.

They’ll get that in July with “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” release and ahead of its opening, Marvel’s Kevin Feige and others have spoken with Empire and offered assorted new details on the film. Feige says it’s absolutely essential for his studio to get the characters right this time after two previous attempts:

“I think that there are no four characters that are more important for the history of Marvel. When Disney bought Fox, it was really an unexpected dream come true. It came at the perfect time, to help us launch into a new era. They are Marvel’s First Family, and I really wanted to do them justice.”

One big change is that the previous films feared being too “silly” whereas this one embraces it with the 1960s retro-future aesthetic and its rendering of Galactus: “In another time, some might consider the notion of somebody with a big, angular helmet walking through a city goofy. I consider it awesome.”

Speaking of Galactus, actor Ralph Ineson spoke about the role, describing him as “a cosmic force. He’s a god, of sorts… I don’t think Galactus is evil.” To prepare, he drove through the tunnels of Mont Blanc “just imagining that as his windpipe and his trachea”.

He adds: “I also went to a lot of tall buildings. We went to a wedding at the top of the Gherkin building in London, and I spent most of the afternoon just staring out, ruminating.”

The comments come as AMC Theaters has indicated that the film’s runtime clocks in at 130 minutes, photos have gone up of a toy that seem to show off Johnny Storm’s “flame on” effect in the film, while reports have emerged of a test screening taking place in Los Angeles last night with possible spoilers about the post-credits scene going online suggesting an “Avengers: Doomsday” tease.

“The Fantastic Four: First Steps” opens in cinemas on July 25th. Check out the Empire new issue covers below.

Our #TheFantasticFour: First Steps issue is not to be missed!

Suit up and blast off to your local newsstands to grab a copy from 5 June.

PRE-ORDER: https://t.co/LCz4AhXypF pic.twitter.com/Ti7Zr2NIAR

— Empire (@empiremagazine) May 29, 2025

Hasbro Marvel Legends Fantastic Four: First Steps Human Torch. Hasbro Pulse listed it early. pic.twitter.com/YuyuOcJoyW

— preternia (@preterniadotcom) May 28, 2025

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