As The Fantastic Four: First Steps makes its way to theaters this summer, fans of superheroes will finally get to see Marvel’s first family join the MCU. The film, directed by Matt Shakman, features an all-star cast, including Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, as the iconic team gains special powers after a monumental space mission and becomes the protectors of the Earth.

Herby, the trusty robot belonging to Reed Richards (Pascal), is also along for the ride. In the latest trailer for the film, Herby is shown cooking with Thing (The Bear’s Moss-Bachrach) in a fun, meta “yes chef” moment. This scene showcases the bond between Herby and the rest of the team, highlighting the robot’s importance in the story.

In a recent interview with Empire, director Matt Shakman discussed Herby’s role in the film. Shakman emphasized that Herby is “absolutely as important and as alive as any other member of the cast” and described the robot as “charming and adorable.” He also noted that Herby is “sometimes a slightly put-upon robot, but he is definitely a member of the family.”

Shakman further explained that Herby serves as Reed’s right-hand robot in the lab, capable of assisting him with any experiment and always by his side, whether in New York City or out in space. This dynamic is evident in the film, particularly in a poignant scene where Sue Storm (Kirby) reveals she’s pregnant, and Herby reacts emotionally, demonstrating its status as the family’s unofficial fifth member.

To bring Herby to life, the filmmakers opted for a practical robot. According to SFX supervisor Alistair Williams, the primary robot has a fully moving head and arms and has been used to drive around the set, clean, pick up toys, and even serve martinis. Veteran voice actor Matthew Wood brings Herby to life, and Shakman praises his performance, saying, “He’s charming, he’s funny—but he also will break your heart,” which he hopes is emblematic of the movie as a whole.

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

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