Warning: This article contains spoilers for Marvel’s Secret Wars comic book storyline.
Summary
With the announcement ofFantastic Four: First Steps’ title, it’s important to understand the deeper meaning that could hint at the movie’s storyline. Screen Rant attended the much-anticipated Marvel panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2024, where Kevin Feige and Marvel cast members shared exciting news about the upcoming MCU movies, includingMarvel’sFantastic Fourreboot.
The third cinematic reboot of the popular Marvel comic series is one of the movies that the company has remained extremely tight-lipped about. At the panel, they announcedThe Fantastic Four’s new title just three days before filmingstarted. This is one of thebiggest reveals at SDCC 2024so far, as it provides clues about the possible storyline.
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What TheFantastic Four:First StepsTitle Reveals About The Movie
Fantastic Four’s Origin Story Revolves Around The Time Period Where Earth Takes The First Steps Towards Space Travel
The title of the upcomingFantastic Fourmovie, revealed at the Marvel panel of SDCC 2024, points to the film including the team’s origin story. In the comics, Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic), Johnny Storm (The Human Torch), Sue Storm (The Invisible Woman), and Ben Grimm (The Thing) gain their superpowers after getting hit by cosmic radiation during a space mission while on an unauthorized rocket ship. This occurs in 1961, when Earth is taking thefirst stepstowards space exploration.
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The clip that was shown during the Marvel panel reaffirms the idea of the movie showing the origin story for theFantastic Four. TheFantastic Four: First Stepsclip was shot like a 1960s commercial, depicting them preparing to blast off into outer space. Each of the four main characters is wearing an astronaut suit with their first initial and last name. The cinematographic style and astronaut-themed visuals both point to the origin story from the originalFantastic Fourcomics.
WhyFirst StepsIs A Perfect Title For The Fantastic Four’s MCU Debut
The Fantastic Four MCU Debut Marks Many Important First Steps
The primary reason thatFirst Stepsis a perfect title for theFantastic Four’s MCU debut is because the movie is the first step towards mending the division betweenFantastic Fourand its parent company. Back in 1986, Marvel sold the movie rights for theFantastic Fourcharacters and comics to Constantin Film, which was sub-licensed to 20th Century Fox. As such, none of the movies that have ever appeared in theaters were under the Marvel umbrella. However,Marvel now has the chance to bring the beloved characters into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The history of theFantastic Fourmovies leads into the second reason whyFirst Stepsis a perfect name for theupcoming MCU movie. With 20th Century Fox, two movies were made –Fantastic Four(2005) andFantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007). The movie series was rebooted in 2015; however, all three of the major movie adaptations bombed with critics. As such,the upcoming movie is the first step to making a goodFantastic Fourmovie that could be successful with critics and in the box office.
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Lastly,Fantastic Four:First Stepsis a great name for the movie because of the history of theFantastic Fourcomics. ManyFantastic Fourmoments still define Marvel History, helping boost the small-name comic book publisher into fame. Benn Grimm, Johnny Storm, Sue Storm, annd Reed Richards were the first superhero team created by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee – the iconic duo. The comics also ushered in a degree of realism to superheroes that didn’t really exist before. By naming the MarvelFantastic FourmovieFirst Steps, the company is paying homage to the historical significance of the superhero team.
First StepsAlso Could Refer To Other MajorFantastic FourStorylines
Franklin’s Introduction Could Be One Of The First Steps Towards Secret Wars
While the origin story is the most likely inspiration for the nameFantastic Four:First Steps, the title could also refer to a couple other significantFantastic Fourstorylines. Firstly, it could mean thefirst stepsinto the famous Galactus Trilogy. This possibility seems decently likely based on the fact that Galactus seemed to appear at the very end of the clip shown at San Diego Comic-Con, and Julia Garner was cast as Shalla-Bal, a female version of the Silver Surfer, for the upcoming movie.
Fantastic Four: First Stepscould also refer to the birth of Franklin, the child of Reed Richards and Sue Storm, one of the most powerful mutants in Marvel.
The title could represent thefirst stepstowards theSecret Warsstoryline in the MCU, which features theFantastic Fourheavily. This seems less likely sinceDoctor Strange in the Mulltiverse of Madnessintroduced the idea of incursions. As such, that would be the true cinematic starting point for the lore necessary to tell the Secret Wars storyline onscreen.
Fantastic Four: First Stepscould also refer to the birth of Franklin, the child of Reed Richards and Sue Storm, one of the most powerful mutants in Marvel. He is instrumental in restoring the Multiverse after theSecret Warsin the comics, sohis birth would be a significant step towards the future movieAvengers: Secret Wars, which is projected for a May 2027 release. This also wouldn’t be the first time an individual MCU movie holds a deeper significance in the long-term.
