Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: The Fantastic Four

  • Marvel Studios Reportedly Loses Veteran Director Ahead of Expected Sequel Launch

    Marvel Studios Reportedly Loses Veteran Director Ahead of Expected Sequel Launch

    Marvel Studios’ plans for the First Family just hit a major speed bump. According to a report from Jeff “The In” Sneider, Matt Shakman is reportedly moving on from the MCU to helm a new, original Planet of the Apes film for 20th Century Studios.

    While Shakman’s work on The Fantastic Four: First Steps was designed to launch a new flagship franchise, his jump to a different Disney-owned mega-brand suggests that a direct sequel to the 1960s-set space adventure may be further off than fans hoped—and likely under new leadership.

    LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JULY 21: Eric Pearson attends The Fantastic Four: First Steps World Premiere at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, California on July 21, 2025. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images for Disney)

    Shakman isn’t making the jump alone. He is bringing First Steps screenwriter Josh Friedman with him to develop what is being described as a “new original story” for the Apes franchise.

    With First Steps pulling in a respectable but not record-breaking $521.8 million at the global box office, Disney is reportedly pivoting Shakman to revitalize the Apes brand while the Fantastic Four characters are integrated into the larger Avengers narrative.

    (L-R): Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic and Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch in 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios’ THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios. © 2025 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2025 MARVEL.

    The Fantastic Four cast (Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach) are already locked in for massive roles in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. This Avengers window gives Marvel breathing room to find a new director for a standalone sequel, which was reported by Variety to be in development for a potential 2028 release.

    Shakman was the architect of the FF’s aesthetic. His departure signals that Marvel is moving away from the director-led era of solo trilogies–like James Gunn‘s Guardians and Jon Watts Spidey–and back to a more utilitarian model where characters move between directors as they flow in and out of the Avengers event films. For fans, this means the  First Family will be plenty busy—but their next solo outing might look very different.

  • Excelsior! ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ D+ Debut Date Revealed

    Excelsior! ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ D+ Debut Date Revealed

    Hot on n the heels the release of physical media, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is headed to Disney Plus.

    In an official release provided across its social media outlets, Disney revealed that the Marvel Studios film will hit the streaming platform on November 5th.

    The film, starring Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, introduced Marvel’s First Family to the MCU in time for the group to star in both Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. The film took in just over $520M worldwide and played well for critics and audiences alike and will likely continue the trend of Marvel Studios’ films becoming streaming darlings.

    Following Disney CEO Bob Iger’s statement that the film “successfully launched this important franchise into the Marvel Cinematic Universe,” Marvel boss Kevin Feige reportedly set his sights on developing a sequel with director Matt Shakman back on board. Though no official word has come down, screenwriter Eric Pearson shared some ideas about the direction of a potential sequel, which could allow the project to come together in time for a 2028 theatrical release.

  • ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Digital and Physical Media Release Dates Officially Announced

    ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Digital and Physical Media Release Dates Officially Announced

    The Fantastic Four: First Steps was a critical and financial success for Marvel Studios this summer. The film, which introduced Marvel’s First Family into the MCU, reportedly took in $517M globally, making it the highest-grossing of the studio’s three 2025 films and the highest-grossing Fantastic Four film yet. Now, as it’s box office run wraps up, the studio is officially ready to launch the next phase.

    According to EW, The Fantastic Four: First Steps will be available in digital platforms on September 23rd with physical media, such as 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD, available to purchase on October 14th.
    Credit: EW

    According to EW, “Collectors will have the option to purchase more commemorative SteelBook editions, including an Amazon exclusive that comes with a custom magnet-front variant cover, five collector cards, and an issue of The Fantastic Four: First Steps #1 comic.”

    Credit: EW

    Additionally, a “Walmart exclusive pop-up Blu-ray package, which comes with a slipcover and pop-up display featuring the Fantastic Four riding in the Fantasticar,” will be available.

    Credit: EW

    EW also revealed a gag reel, multiple featurettes and deleted scenes will be available on both digital and physical copies.

    Featurette: Meet The First Family

    The creation of the Fantastic Four saved Marvel Comics in 1961 and has only flourished as years have passed. Matt Shakman and the cast explain how they found themselves gravitating toward each role and creating the ultimate family.

    Featurette: Fantastic Futurism

    The filmmakers discuss the process of immersing the cast and crew in the film’s retro-futuristic aesthetic. Join Matt Shakman and crew as they discuss the experience of shooting in gigantic mid-century New York sets and stepping into an otherworldly era.

    Featurette: From Beyond and Below

    The team explores bringing complex characters from the page to the screen, including a larger-than-life Galactus, grounded Harvey Elder/Mole Man, and an emotionally rich Silver Surfer.

    Deleted Scenes

    • Thanksgiving Soup Kitchen
    • Fantastic Four Day
    • Subterranea
    • Birthday Sweater
    • Taking Turns

    Source: Entertainment Weekly

  • ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Digital and Physical Media Release Dates Officially Announced

    ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Digital and Physical Media Release Dates Officially Announced

    The Fantastic Four: First Steps was a critical and financial success for Marvel Studios this summer. The film, which introduced Marvel’s First Family into the MCU, reportedly took in $517M globally, making it the highest-grossing of the studio’s three 2025 films and the highest-grossing Fantastic Four film yet. Now, as it’s box office run wraps up, the studio is officially ready to launch the next phase.

    According to EW, The Fantastic Four: First Steps will be available in digital platforms on September 23rd with physical media, such as 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD, available to purchase on October 14th.
    Credit: EW

    According to EW, “Collectors will have the option to purchase more commemorative SteelBook editions, including an Amazon exclusive that comes with a custom magnet-front variant cover, five collector cards, and an issue of The Fantastic Four: First Steps #1 comic.”

    Credit: EW

    Additionally, a “Walmart exclusive pop-up Blu-ray package, which comes with a slipcover and pop-up display featuring the Fantastic Four riding in the Fantasticar,” will be available.

    EW also revealed a gag reel, multiple featurettes and deleted scenes will be available on both digital and physical copies.

    Featurette: Meet The First Family

    The creation of the Fantastic Four saved Marvel Comics in 1961 and has only flourished as years have passed. Matt Shakman and the cast explain how they found themselves gravitating toward each role and creating the ultimate family.

    Featurette: Fantastic Futurism

    The filmmakers discuss the process of immersing the cast and crew in the film’s retro-futuristic aesthetic. Join Matt Shakman and crew as they discuss the experience of shooting in gigantic mid-century New York sets and stepping into an otherworldly era.

    Featurette: From Beyond and Below

    The team explores bringing complex characters from the page to the screen, including a larger-than-life Galactus, grounded Harvey Elder/Mole Man, and an emotionally rich Silver Surfer.

    Deleted Scenes

    • Thanksgiving Soup Kitchen
    • Fantastic Four Day
    • Subterranea
    • Birthday Sweater
    • Taking Turns

    Source: Entertainment Weekly

  • ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Will Feature a “Changed” Sue Storm

    ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Will Feature a “Changed” Sue Storm

    Vanessa Kirby has been widely and roundly praised for her work as Marvel Studios Sue Storm in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. After sacrificing herself to save Earth-828 from Galactus, Sue was brought back to life by her immensely powerful son, Franklin and while the fallout of that wasn’t addressed in the film, Kirby recently made it clear it will have an impact on her character going forward.

    In an interview with Movie Web, Kirby–who has been in production on Avengers: Doomsday since March–gave some insight into why she’s excited to continue on with the character and teased a potential dark twist spinning out of her  death and rebirth.

    “I love that I get to continue with Sue because it’s so interesting,” said Kirby who said her character’s experience with death has been heavy on her mind.

    I’ve been thinking a lot doing Avengers and stuff about how someone that’s been through, in the space of basically a week, someone who has given birth and has died and come back to life… how a death experience like that would change you.

    -Vanessa Kirby

    And she’s been doing more than just thinking about it as it sounds as though in preparation for Doomsday, Kirby has been doing some research into how near-death experiences can change a person. “I’ve been listening to a lot of people that have had those kind of experiences and what they learn, and therefore how different they are after they come back from that,” said Kirby. But how big of a change could it be?

    If Marvel Studios followed one particular path from the pages of Marvel Comics, Sue’s return from the other side could be used to introduce Malice, a manifestation of the darkness inside the character. As wild as a direct adaptation of Malice into the MCU might be, some version of the character might be in the cards, especially since Kirby recently revealed her desire to explore an entirely different side of Sue than has been done in any other big screen iteration.

    I’m dying to do Malice. She’s come from a really tough background. She lost her mother in a car crash. Her dad tried to save her mother. He couldn’t. He then spiraled, became an alcoholic, got locked up in prison for murdering a loan shark, and then died. Sue had to become a mother to Johnny. They were orphans. They had to fight for themselves. What I loved about her was that she chose a path that was inherently a positive one. She chose to keep her heart open and to stay warm. The Future Foundation, for me, wasn’t a noble political act, but it seemed to me that it’s Sue’s nature.

    -Vanessa Kirby, Variety

    Of course, Kirby’s interest in exploring that particular direction does not necessarily mean Malice will ever appear in the MCU; however, with the First Family set for appearances in a pair of Avengers films ahead of a likely sequel, there’s plenty of narrative runway to let Kirby take Sue down that road.

    Sources: Movie Web, Variety

  • ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Writer Shares Ideas for Uncertain Sequel

    ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Writer Shares Ideas for Uncertain Sequel

    Marvel’s First Family finally joined the MCU in The Fantastic Four: First Steps just in time to help the Avengers and X-Men attempt to save a collapsing Multiverse. While the film hasn’t blown up the box office, Disney head honcho Bob Iger stated that the film, directed by Matt Shakman, “successfully launched this important franchise into the Marvel Cinematic Universe,” ahead of their appearances in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars; however, at this point, despite rumors that Marvel Studios was set to move ahead with a sequel, again directed by Shakman, there has been no official word.

    With four unfilled dates on its 2028 theatrical slate, Marvel could be eyeing one of them for a sequel to First Steps but if they are, they haven’t told anyone yet, including the writer of the first film, Eric Pearson. In an interview with Comic Book, Pearson, who has worked on several MCU films, including Thunderbolts*, explained that while he has some great ideas for a sequel, there’s a really good reason he hasn’t begun work on one just yet.

    LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JULY 21: Eric Pearson attends The Fantastic Four: First Steps World Premiere at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, California on July 21, 2025. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images for Disney)

    “I honestly don’t know. I’m such a literal person that I would need to understand the fallout of how everything looks and who knows who out of Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars,” he explained. “I don’t know where we are all sitting. Sometimes, when everything is on the table, you don’t know what to eat.” With Avengers: Doomsday deep into its production and still with an unfinished script, Pearson‘s point is very to the point.

    “Would it be cool to see them in a murder mystery together? Sure. Would it be cool to see them in a time-travelling romp? Sure, that would be cool. There are all these different things, but you don’t want to completely upset the apple cart,” he explained of trying to make plans for the First Family without knowing what will happen to them in two Avengers films over the next two years. “I feel like anything I’d have to say really doesn’t matter until we see how all our favorite characters survive the upcoming adventures with Victor von Doom.” With Avengers: Secret Wars primed to rest the MCU into what Kevin Feige called a “single timeline,” here’s to hoping The Fantastic Four and Doctor Doom both find their ways onto it for many more adventures.

    Source: Comic Book

  • Matt Shakman on the Cut Fantastic Four Villain Fans Will Never See

    Matt Shakman on the Cut Fantastic Four Villain Fans Will Never See

    As first revealed in November 2024, John Malkovich was cast in The Fantastic Four: First Steps as Marvel Comics’ villain and twisted genius Ivan Kragoff. First introduced in January 1963’s Fantastic Four #13, Kragoff is better known as the Red Ghost, a recurring foe of Marvel’s First Family who often used his army of Super-Apes to aid him in his plans. Unfortunately, as recently revealed by director Matt Shakman, Malkovich‘s role was cut from the film. Now, in a new interview, Shakman has detailed why the decision was made and explained that it’s unlikely the footage will ever be seen.

    “We wanted to get the sense of history. We wanted these characters to feel lived in. We wanted the city to feel lived in. This is a real family, and they’ve been doing this for four years. Part of that was showing all the things they’ve done along the way,” said Shakman of the film’s opening act montage that replaced the classic origin story.“Building the Future Foundation, defeating Red Ghost, Mad Thinker, Mole Man…it was part of building the history for them so we could jump in and see them change as a family when a child is introduced.”

    “We had an opening that involved a lot of action about the Red Ghost,” Shakman continued. “We had an incredible performance from John Malkovich. It was just so much material when we were trying to get to that present-day moment when their world changes and Franklin’s arrival becomes imminent.“

    There were a lot of things that ultimately ended up hitting the cutting room floor. When we were building a ’60s retro-future world, introducing all of these villains, introducing these four main characters as a group, as well as individually, introducing the idea of a child — there was a lot of stuff to balance in this movie and some things had to go ultimately in terms of shaping the film for its final version.

    -Matt Shakman

    “We had Red Ghost trying to steal a rocket ship with his apes, Reed trying to defeat him and outwitting him,” he said of the cut scene. “They had a lot of really fun stuff. We used snippets of it in that montage you see where he’s kicking one of the Super-Apes into the water.“

    While Malkovich‘s take on Kragoff didn’t make the final cut, the character did appear in the film’s post-credit scene, as did his Super-Apes. “You can see in the credits Reed getting his face pulled by a baboon, which is an homage to Alex Ross,“ said Shakman. It’s unlikely that Marvel Studios has current plans for Earth-828’s Red Ghost in Avengers: Doomsday or Avengers: Secret Wars, but perhaps–and hopefully–there’s a way for Malkovich to bring the character to the screen in some way before long.

    Source: Phase Zero, Variety

  • Leaked ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Stinger Reveals Marvel’s Greatest Villain

    Leaked ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Stinger Reveals Marvel’s Greatest Villain

    The Fantastic Four: First Steps has begun its global run and it didn’t take long for the leaks to hit social media. Ahead of the film’s opening domestic weekend, clips and stills of one of the project’s stingers have landed online, providing a first look at the ultimate villain of the Multiverse Saga.

    The mid-credit scene, directed by The Russo brothers, shows Franklin Richards looking up and touching the face of Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom while the cloaked and hooded villain holds his iconic mask in his hand.

    The leaks are fairly easy to find at this point and the scene truly serves as nothing but an incredible tease for the character’s first full appearance in Avengers: Doomsday.

    The Fantastic Four: First Steps has opened to incredibly strong critical consensus, currently sitting at an 86% on Rotten Tomatoes, and is projected to open to a $200+M take globally. With Doom and the First Family both set to take center stage in Avengers: Doomsday, the film has already established itself as a must-see as the Multiverse Saga begins to move toward its end.

  • ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Hit With More High Praise Following World Premiere

    ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Hit With More High Praise Following World Premiere

    The world premiere of Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps took place at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles on July 21st, just a few days away from the film’s global release. While the review embargo lifts at noon on July 22nd, those in attendance shared their thoughts on social media and much like the sentiment that came from an earlier preview of the film, there’s a lot of high praise for director Matt Shakman‘s retrofuturistic take on Marvel’s First Family.

    LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JULY 21: (L-R) Kevin Feige, President, Marvel Studios, Louis D’Esposito, Co-President, Marvel Studios, Matt Shakman, Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Julia Garner and Ralph Ineson speak onstage during The Fantastic Four: First Steps World Premiere at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, California on July 21, 2025. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images for Disney)
    LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JULY 21: (L-R) Joseph Quinn, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Vanessa Kirby and Pedro Pascal attend The Fantastic Four: First Steps World Premiere at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, California on July 21, 2025. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images for Disney)

    It’s rare for those in attendance at world premieres to speak ill of projects on social media and full reviews by critics will certainly set the narrative for the film; however, with many of the reactions highlighting the performance of the film’s cast, the score by Michael Giachinno and the fact that it truly stands alone and requires no prior knowledge of the MCU, it’s sounding as though The Fantastic Four: First Steps may well be a huge hit for Marvel Studios.

  • The Ultimate List of What to Watch Before ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’

    The Ultimate List of What to Watch Before ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’

    WandaVision director Matt Shakman was tasked with solving everything and finding a way to bring Marvel’s First Family into the MCU. By setting the film in a retrofuturistic alternate universe, Earth-828, Shakman freed it–and the fans–from the shackles an increasingly gargantuan shared narrative.

    Set against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps introduces Marvel’s First Family—Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Johnny Storm/Human Torch and Ben Grimm/The Thing as they face their most daunting challenge yet.

    -Synopsis for The Fantastic Four: First Steps
    (L-R): Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic and Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch in 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios’ THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios. © 2025 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2025 MARVEL.

    Originally announced by Kevin Feige at SDCC ’19, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, originally intended to be directed by Jon Watts, is finally hitting theaters next week and that means it’s time for…The Ultimate List of What to Watch Before…The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

    It is a no-homework-required movie. It literally is not connected to anything we’ve made before.

    -Kevin Feige

    For the first time in a long time, maybe since Iron Man launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2008, there’s no required reading, no homework and nothing to watch that will add to the experience of a Marvel Studios film. Incredibly enough, The Fantastic Four: First Steps stands completely on its own.

    Tier 1

    Not a single thing

    Tier 2

    Yep, still nothing

    Tier 3

    Nothing