Thu Jul 24 18:50:00 UTC 2025: **Marvel’s ‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Hopes to Revitalize MCU with Retro Reboot**
London – Early reviews of Marvel’s “Fantastic Four: First Steps” are offering a glimmer of hope for the superhero giant, suggesting the film might be the course correction the MCU desperately needs. Set in the 1960s, this latest iteration stars Pedro Pascal as Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as The Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as the Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as The Thing. The team faces off against cosmic threats Galactus, played by Ralph Ineson, and the Silver Surfer, played by Julia Garner, as they strive to protect Earth.
While not universally lauded as a masterpiece, several publications, including The Telegraph and Variety, have praised the film’s satisfying retro aesthetic and streamlined storytelling, suggesting Marvel may be getting “its mojo back.” Variety highlighted the decision to scale back the interconnectedness of previous MCU films as a positive change, making the film accessible to casual viewers. The Guardian lauded the film’s “uncomplicated fun” and retro-futurist setting.
The retro reboot follows a poorly received 2015 attempt. This time, critics are noting strong performances, particularly from Kirby as Susan Storm. However, some critiques pointed to a lack of risk-taking and the franchise’s familiar comedic tropes, with The Independent stating the film is “no disaster – but it’s no Superman, either.”
One of the more notable changes in this iteration is the gender-swapping of the Silver Surfer, which Variety notes could be a point of controversy but ultimately creates an intriguing dynamic with the Human Torch.
Marvel boss Kevin Feige has acknowledged the potential for superhero fatigue among audiences and praised DC Comics’ “Superman” reboot for its accessibility. This focus on individual stories within fully-fleshed worlds is a direction the studio appears to be embracing with “First Steps”.
“Fantastic Four: First Steps” hits UK cinemas this Thursday, with the pressure of breathing new life into the expansive Marvel Cinematic Universe on its shoulders.
First Piper 