I Love Fantastic Four: First Steps So Much, I Want More Than Just Sequels
I’ll admit it: I was a sufferer of “superhero fatigue” till July hit on the 2025 film schedule. Then one thing SuperFantastic occurred – because of the double play of DC’s Superman and Marvel’s The Fantastic 4: First Steps. Each movies are good, with an optimism and coronary heart that brightened the world of four-panel variations in a manner we haven’t seen shortly.
Within the case of the hotly-anticipated Fantastic 4 reboot, some could be happy with merely asking for sequels. I’m not a kind of folks although, as I acknowledge a particular potential this beautiful standalone film might understand.
The Fantastic 4: First Steps Ought to Begin A Parallel Universe Of Films
As my good friend and CinemaBlend colleague Dirk Libbey identified, First Steps takes benefit of the Marvel multiverse in a manner that ought to have occurred manner sooner. Director Matt Shakman’s super-story revels within the retro-futuristic ‘60s of Earth-828, and it’s an suave distinction from what we’ve come to anticipate from most Marvel films to this point.
The closest analog I can consider is when Captain America: The First Avenger introduced us again to the ‘40s of Earth-616. We haven’t seen that type of beautiful throwback given the feature-length remedy in a while;, and the probabilities are too stunning to let go.
A part of the reason being in all probability as a result of the mainline MCU universe is preoccupied with the modern current, save for some flashbacks. Setting The Fantastic 4: First Steps in an alternate model of the previous is fairly good, and it’s a alternative that I suppose ought to begin a sequence of Earth-828 films that exceed simply sequels to one in all my favourite films of the summer season.
More Retro-Futuristic Adventures In Earth-828 Would Be A Plus
Seeing because the crew of Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby’s Sus Storm, Joseph Quinn’s Johnny Storm and Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s Ben Grimm are thought-about the primary superheroes of their house universe, there’s room for a lot extra to unfold. Like, say, a whole film about Paul Walter Hauser’s scene-stealing Harvey “Mole Man” Elder.
In one of many a number of parallels between Iron Man and First Steps, it’s like Marvel Studios stepped again into 2008 with a contemporary MCU to develop because it sees match. If the ‘60s had been this a lot enjoyable, think about how alternate variations of different a long time in Earth-828’s historical past might play out? Additionally, with the Multiversal Concept requiring an “anchor being” to maintain a sure world alive, determining who that’s on this pocket of Marvel magic would solely add to the enjoyable.
Marvel Adopting DC’s Elseworlds Mannequin Might Battle “Superhero Fatigue”
As seen with DC Studios’ inventive drive/co-CEO James Gunn, the idea of Elseworlds is alive and nicely. Whereas Superman is the cinematic kickoff for the DCU’s Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters, Matt Reeves’ The Batman Crime Saga is allowed to exist concurrently as a result of it being an Elseworlds property.
That benefit might permit Kevin Feige and his crew to discover the main phases of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. You might additionally probably get rid of one of many greatest criticisms Marvel Studios appears to incur, permitting followers extra time to “do the homework” with their Disney+ subscription.
Enjoying with different worlds that aren’t essentially linked is form of a clear slate to do something that might go towards the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s spirit. Three seasons of the Disney+ unique What If… is a correct check case for being allowed to do such a factor.
Now take that considering and use it to infuse limitless creativity that operates on a scaled again finances. Marvel can observe all types of threads, just like the lengthy defunct Harm Management adaptation, whereas letting us have time to overlook the MCU’s model of journey.
Adapting The Films In The Fantastic 4’s World Would not Harm Both
I can’t be the one one who desires to know extra about movies like The Emperor’s Twin, Assault of the Fungi and, in fact, the potential Captain America easter egg that’s Subzero Intel. Understanding that we had been watching one other universe in The Fantastic 4: First Steps had me questioning what the images of that world would appear to be – or what their tales would cowl.
The upcoming Marvel TV present Surprise Man virtually sounds prefer it’s masking related floor, as Yahya Abdul-Mateen II’s Simon Williams goes to be proven as performing in his personal superhero sequence. That cleverly meta-approach shouldn’t be reserved for Earth-616, as there’s some enjoyable and unique paths to be taken within the Marvel Cinematic Universe offered in these titles.
The MCU Would Have More Time To Relaxation Between Mainline Entries
Think about if The Fantastic 4: First Steps had premiered within the post-Avengers: Endgame slot that Spider-Man: Removed from House had. Audiences might have had a break in-between The Infinity Saga and The Multiverse Saga, whereas additionally seeing some comedian film motion in theaters.
That type of breather might have allowed the Marvel Studios writers room to take a bit of extra time to plot out the place to go subsequent, as an alternative of mainly utilizing a marquee superhero’s subsequent image as a feature-length post-credits sequence.
With tasks of this selection offering gaps in-between foremost occasions, The Multiverse Saga’s course corrections (just like the change that noticed Avengers: The Kang Dynasty morph into Doomsday) would have had additional time to really develop. Even the bittersweet rewrites of Black Panther: Wakanda Perpetually might have benefitted, eradicating Group Marvel’s seemingly relentless march of progress from the equation, and permitting everybody time to correctly grieve.
Again in 2014, Kevin Feige’s MCU wall chart was an innovation that modified the sport in Hollywood. A number of failed Hollywood cinematic universes, and a few perceived whiffs from Marvel Studios, later, it looks like time to maneuver on. That doesn’t imply huge shared tales must go away, however relatively we needs to be attempting out hybrids that preserve serialization, whereas additionally permitting creativity to slide the leash and run wild.
The Fantastic 4: First Steps noticed the First Household of Heroes save the day towards Galactus. Ought to Marvel heed the lesson on this hypothetical state of affairs, they may rescue a whole cinematic cash maker within the course of too. Kind your individual opinions by seeing this unbelievable film, which is at present exhibiting in theaters.
