Fantastic Four: First Steps finally nails what past movies got wrong

Fantastic Four: First Steps embraces the team’s core dynamic family, making it the most promising adaptation yet.

Marvel Studios has finally unveiled the trailer for Fantastic Four: First Steps, and it’s clear they’ve taken a fresh approach to the beloved superhero team. 

While past adaptations have struggled to capture the heart of the Fantastic Four, First Steps finally leans into the one thing that defines them: family.

The teaser offers plenty to dissect, from Sue Storm’s upgraded force fields to The Thing’s comic-accurate design. However, one of the most crucial elements is the team’s dynamic. Unlike previous versions that framed them as disconnected acquaintances, First Steps presents the Four as a tightly knit unit, already settled into their relationships.

Reed Richards’ line in the trailer sets the tone: “We make a point to do family dinner every week. Sunday at 7, on the dot, no matter what.” Instead of constant bickering or reluctant teamwork, we see genuine camaraderie—whether it’s Reed and Sue’s established romance or Ben Grimm interfering in H.E.R.B.I.E’s cooking.

Past films—including Fantastic Four (2005), Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007), and the critically panned Fant4stic (2015)—failed to capture this essence, often focusing too much on dysfunction. First Steps takes a different route, skipping a traditional origin story and giving audiences a Fantastic Four that feels lived-in.

Of course, there’s still room for skepticism. The trailer doesn’t show Reed’s signature stretch abilities, raising questions about CGI quality. But with a July 25, 2025 release date, there’s time for Marvel to refine the details.

At the very least, First Steps marks a promising new direction—one that, for the first time, might actually do justice to Marvel’s First Family.