Fantastic Four: First Steps Shows How Marvel Has Pivoted Their MCU Strategy Following Recent Criticisms

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Spoilers for The Fantastic Four: First Steps are below!

Summary

  • The Fantastic Four: First Steps sees Marvel’s First Family shine in their MCU debut.
  • The MCU has suffered criticism over losing fans due to far too much content to keep up with.
  • Fantastic Four: First Steps corrects the MCU’s barrier to entry by being a standalone film requiring zero prior knowledge.

First Steps. This latest addition marks the MCU debut of Marvel’s First Family, aiming to rectify the underwhelming critical reception of previous Fantastic Four films. The new cast, including Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and an accurate depiction of Galactus from the comics, has garnered praise from both fans and critics alike.

As a passionate cinephile, I must say that “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” is making quite an impact in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), not just financially at the box office but also critically with the reviewers. However, it presents a unique style distinct from the recent MCU productions, which hints at where Marvel might be steering its future direction.

First Steps” seems to be an attempt to address what many have identified as the MCU’s main issue.

The MCU Has Seen Diminishing Returns From Having Too Much Content For Casual Viewers

Over time, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) built its epic franchise reputation through careful world-creation and numerous character introductions, including both heroes and villains. However, after the conclusion of the Infinity Saga with Avengers: Endgame, the MCU has struggled to find its balance while providing an overabundance of content that can be overwhelming for casual viewers.

Although dedicated Marvel Comics enthusiasts may find comfort in the extensive universe filled with multiple characters and even a multiverse, the average moviegoers who attended major theater releases have started to dwindle due to the complexity of keeping up.

As the Marvel Cinematic Universe started introducing series on Disney+, viewers initially enjoyed innovative programs such as “WandaVision” and “Loki.” However, things soon became confusing when numerous characters got their own shows, including Moon Knight, She-Hulk, Ironheart, with mixed levels of success that started to affect the brand’s reputation. For every show that generated excitement among fans, like “Hawkeye,” there were productions that left many questioning their approval, such as “Echo.” Some series seemed to lack a clear vision for the franchise and wasted the source material, like the poorly received “Secret Invasion.

As a passionate cinephile, I’ve been captivated by the resurgence of greatness in TV series like “Daredevil: Born Again,” but 2025 brought a bit of a letdown with “Ironheart.” Don’t get me wrong, it was generally well-received, but the introduction of a long-anticipated villain by the Marvel Cinematic Universe felt underwhelming. It seemed like we were given too little, too late, leaving many casual viewers unaware of its significance. This seems to be a reflection of the franchise’s ongoing criticism, a sentiment that even extends to their theatrical releases.

Thunderbolts* and Captain America: Brave New World Have Proven The Negative Impact True

The movie titled “Captain America: Brave New World” faced numerous production hurdles, including multiple reshoots and additional components. Regrettably, it didn’t fully utilize Giancarlo Esposito’s MCU debut, who showed great potential but was confined to scenes that seemed like afterthoughts. Moreover, the marketing revealed key plot points, weakening its climax. Unfortunately, “Brave New World” received mixed reviews and struggled at the box office, particularly in comparison to previous Captain America films. This film was intended as a trial run for the MCU’s ability to revamp characters, but “Captain America: Brave New World” fell short of expectations.

The movie “Thunderbolts” received great praise from both critics and audiences, earning some of the best reviews for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in a long time. The film brought together several anti-hero characters from the MCU, using their personal struggles and weaknesses to create a unique team that saved the day in an unexpected manner. However, despite these positive reviews, “Thunderbolts” didn’t manage to attract the box office audience that Marvel had expected.

Some people might blame the team’s lineup or the current state of the MCU for the film’s lackluster performance at the box office. But it shows that even this late in their run, Marvel can still create a compelling and distinctive movie.

One major issue with both “Captain America: Brave New World” and “Thunderbolts” is their heavy dependence on past events and Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) history. The members of the “Thunderbolts” team were drawn from various other projects within the MCU, and each character’s struggles stemmed from these original stories. Similarly, “Brave New World” retells tales from previous films and TV series, resulting in a collection that didn’t live up to its potential for audience engagement. However, the movies can stand alone, providing more rewarding viewing experiences if the viewer is well-versed in the context of the MCU.

Fantastic Four: First Steps Is Making An Effort To Correct The MCU’s Barrier To Entry

First Steps” is the latest addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), but unlike its potential successor “Thunderbolts”, it doesn’t need to link up with the larger story. Instead, this new version of “Fantastic Four” is a standalone movie that focuses on a team of Fantastic Four characters from an alternate Earth, separate from the current MCU. Although it could potentially get complex, it doesn’t rely on prior knowledge of other MCU films or even the characters themselves, making it more accessible for casual viewers as the obstacle that once kept people away has been removed in this version of The Fantastic Four.

The film titled “First Steps” includes an end credit scene that subtly links it to future MCU plots, though this connection is not essential. This scene could potentially resonate with The Fantastic Four, irrespective of the ongoing production of Avengers: Doomsday. Essentially, The Fantastic Four: First Steps appears to address past criticisms by being self-contained and enjoyable without prior knowledge, while still offering a tantalizing glimpse for comic enthusiasts eager to see these characters with the Avengers. Despite the uncertain fate of these characters after significant MCU events, The Fantastic Four: First Steps could pave the way for future Marvel superhero ventures.

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2025-07-29 00:04