Early ‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Reactions Tease Who the Movie Really Focuses On — And Who’s in Charge
The Fantastic Four are finally stepping into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and even though the movie isn’t out yet, early reactions are already making waves online. The film, titled Fantastic Four: First Steps, is set to hit theaters on July 25, 2025, but fans are getting a sneak peek at what to expect thanks to early reviews shared on social media.
One of the earliest breakdowns came from X user @fantasticRichie, who shared a few big takeaways. According to him, the story mostly centers around Sue Storm and her son Franklin. While all four members of the team are part of the action, it sounds like Sue and Franklin play a much bigger emotional role in the story.
Pedro Pascal plays Reed Richards, and it looks like his character is still very much the leader of the group. According to the early post, “Reed is leading the decisions made in the movie,” but at the same time, it’s Sue and Franklin who seem to be driving the heart of the film. There’s also a lot of screen time between Reed and Sue, which fans of their comic book relationship will probably appreciate.
Early reviews are saying
— richie 4️⃣ (@fantasticRichie) July 8, 2025
– Reed and Sue have alot of scenes together
– Reed's powers are being hidden in the trailers
– Sue and Franklin are the main focus of the story
– Reed is leading the decisions made in the movie pic.twitter.com/ZTZ4Ahx8EG
Interestingly, the trailers have stayed quiet about Reed’s powers so far, and that seems intentional. The same post claims, “Reed’s powers are being hidden in the trailers,” which suggests Marvel may be saving that moment for a big reveal in the movie itself.
The early reviews also give a shout-out to Ben Grimm and Johnny Storm. While they might not be at the center of the story, it sounds like they make a strong impression, especially in the first half hour. The CGI during these scenes is getting a lot of praise, with one reaction calling it “phenomenal.”
The movie takes place in a 1960s-inspired retro-futuristic world, which helps it stand apart from other MCU titles. This version of the Fantastic Four won’t be an origin story either, which is a major change from earlier attempts to bring the team to the big screen. Instead, the movie jumps right into the action, with the team going up against Galactus, played by Ralph Ineson, a giant cosmic being who eats planets.
The rest of the cast includes Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm, and Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm. Matt Shakman directs the film, and the script was written by Josh Friedman, Eric Pearson, Jeff Kaplan, and Ian Springer. Filming wrapped up in late 2024, with most of the production taking place in England and Spain.
The film will premiere on July 21, a few days before its official release. It’ll be shown in IMAX, ScreenX, and 4DX formats, and it will also be the first movie to kick off Phase Six of the MCU. A sequel is already in the works.
With excitement already building online, fans won’t have to wait much longer to see what Marvel has planned for its first family.
Have something to add? Let us know in the comments below!
