Prior to The Fantastic Four: First Steps being officially announced as the last full Marvel Studios movie to be released in December 2026, it was already generating significant buzz. The Fantastic Four are among Marvel’s most iconic and recognizable characters, with a team that has been a subject of interest in Hollywood for two decades, and largely off-limits to Marvel until the Disney-Fox acquisition. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has further raised expectations by drawing comparisons between this film and previous attempts to bring the characters to life.

Feige expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “I believe there are no four characters more crucial to the history of Marvel,” in an interview with Empire. He emphasized the significance of the acquisition, saying, “When Disney bought Fox, it was an unexpected dream come true, and the timing was perfect to launch us into a new era. They are Marvel’s First Family, and I’m determined to do them justice.” This statement implies that previous film adaptations fell short of capturing the essence of the characters.

Notably, Feige was involved in the production of two earlier films, Fantastic Four (2005) and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007). He hinted at what those films lacked and how First Steps will differ, saying, “There was still a bit of fear of being silly.” However, with the evolution of superhero movies over the years, First Steps can now explore territories previously uncharted.

Feige shared his perspective on the film’s villain, Galactus, stating, “In another time, some might consider the notion of somebody with a big, angular helmet walking through a city goofy.” He countered, “I consider it awesome.” This sentiment is likely shared by many fans, but the Fantastic Four franchise carries a weight of expectation, being a top-tier Marvel property. The introduction of the Fantastic Four into the MCU is comparable to significant events like Spider-Man’s debut in Captain America: Civil War or the team-up of Deadpool and Wolverine in Deadpool & Wolverine.

The question remains whether The Fantastic Four: First Steps will achieve the same level of popularity and impact as those milestones. The teaser at the end of Thunderbolts suggests it might. Fortunately, the wait to find out won’t be much longer.

Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach star as Marvel’s first family in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, scheduled to release on July 25.

For more io9 news, check out the upcoming Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases. Also, stay updated on what’s next for the Source Link