Matt Shakman Promises a Fantastic Four Film Like You’ve Never Seen Before!

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It’s tough to decide which upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) project has fans more enthused: either “Thunderbolts” or “The Fantastic Four: First Steps”. On one side, “Thunderbolts” boasts a host of well-loved characters making a comeback. Conversely, “First Steps” marks the long-awaited arrival of various iconic superheroes from the Marvel universe. However, fresh comments from director Matt Shakman for “First Steps” may sway MCU fans towards the Fantastic Four.

The success Marvel enjoys today wouldn’t have been possible without the creation of the Fantastic Four. Back in 1961, Jack Kirby and Stan Lee breathed life into this quartet, rescuing Marvel Comics from the brink of collapse and providing DC Comics with some formidable superhero rivalry. Although their initial fame may have waned somewhat since the ’60s, they remain a beloved part of the Marvel community. However, their film adaptations over the past two decades haven’t exactly ignited global excitement – while some fans appreciate 2005’s Fantastic Four and 2007’s Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, 2015’s FANT4STIC was a significant misstep for both 20th Century Fox and Marvel. John Krasinski’s brief appearance as Mr. Fantastic in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness was met with enthusiasm from fans, but his role didn’t significantly contribute to the storyline. The upcoming project, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, is another attempt to share the appeal of this superteam with a wider audience.

In an interview with Empire magazine, Matt Shakman shared his plans for bringing Marvel’s iconic family to the screen: “The story is about JFK-era optimism. It’s like envisioning these four characters going to space instead of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. They’re the most famous Americans because they’re adventurers, explorers, astronauts – not superheroes. They journey into space, return as heroes, and then discover they have superpowers too. Above all, they are a family.” The director further explained, “I aimed to create a film that feels like it was made in 1965, the way Stanley Kubrick might have done it.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps Director Matt Shakman Is Bringing Some Old-School Flare To The MCU

In their exclusive report, Empire noted that Shakman and the team behind The Fantastic Four: First Steps even resorted to a 14-foot-tall miniature spaceship on set, much like Stanley Kubrick did in 2001: A Space Odyssey. However, it’s worth mentioning that the director confirmed there were numerous CGI scenes as well. Yet, it’s fascinating to learn that they made an effort to recreate the distinctive ’60s atmosphere by going above and beyond in their creative process.

The Fantastic Four appears to have a stronger connection to the 1960s than any other superhero team, as if their style was tailor-made for that era. The 2015 reboot film by Fox serves as evidence of this. Introducing the Fantastic Four into the MCU with a distinctive 1960s-inspired blend of retro and futuristic aesthetics seems like an excellent decision, and Marvel Studios appears to be committed to executing this theme exceptionally well.

The future of the First Family remains uncertain in both “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars,” but so far, their entrance into the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been met with positive signs. Sarah Halley Finn, the MCU’s talented casting director, has once again proven her skill by assembling a star-studded cast that includes Pedro Pascal, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Vanessa Kirby, Julia Garner, and Joseph Quinn. Notably, she also secured character actors like Paul Walter Hauser, Natasha Lyonne, Ralph Ineson, and John Malkovich, which is just the cherry on top of an already impressive lineup.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set to be released in theatres on July 25, 2025.

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2025-04-07 02:14