Is the MCU's 'Fantastic Four: First Steps' the Fresh Start Fans Have Been Waiting For?

Film critic and pop culture commentator Emmanuel Noisette explains why the unique, 1960s setting was a great creative decision

Co-authored by Emmanuel Noisette and Kyle Hall

Last Updated: May 11, 2026 Fact Checked

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New Cast

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The Film’s Aesthetic

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MCU Implications

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Final Thoughts

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Fantastic Four: First Steps was released on July 25th, 2025, and there’s so much to unpack! The film is the first Fantastic Four adaptation since the critically panned 2015 reboot, and everyone’s been holding their breath to see if this latest attempt is worthy of the original comics. We’re happy to report that there’s a lot to love about Fantastic Four: First Steps, from its all-new cast to its unique retro-futuristic setting. Let’s dive into the new film and what it means for the future of the MCU.

All About Fantastic Four: First Steps

Film critic and pop culture commentator Emmanuel Noisette says Marvel made a good choice setting Fantastic Four: First Steps in a parallel, 1960s timeline, as it gave them a lot of creativity to expand on the team so they fit in the MCU, while still staying true to the comics. Plus, the unique setting helped set it apart from other films.

Section 1 of 4:

Meet the New Fantastic Four

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Heartthrob Pascal takes on the role of Mister Fantastic, a genius with the ability to stretch his body into any form. Pascal has been a huge draw for the film due to his recent high-profile performances in HBO’s The Last of Us and Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II.
The Crown alum brings her own distinct take on The Invisible Woman to the big screen. Her ability to bend light allows her to make herself and others invisible. Plus, she can create force fields, which Kirby shows off to cool effect in the new film.

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Known for his role in the hit series The Bear, Moss-Bachrach plays The Thing in this latest MCU release, in which he gets to show off the character’s iconic rocky skin and superhuman strength. Moss-Bachrach assured fans on Jimmy Kimmel Live that he included The Thing’s iconic catchphrase, “it's clobberin' time,” in the film.
Beloved for his portrayal of Eddie Munson in the fourth season of Netflix’s Stranger Things, Quinn is back to win our hearts in Fantastic Four: First Steps. Playing Human Torch, Quinn lights up the screen (literally) in this new iteration of the franchise.

Section 2 of 4:

The Film’s Unique Aesthetic

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This version of the beloved franchise takes place in a 1960s retro-futuristic world. You won’t be seeing any iPhones or Teslas in Fantastic Four: First Steps. Instead, expect a lot of tweed suits, pencil skirts, and rotary phones—but with a cool, retro-future twist.^{[1]
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Expert Interview} For example, the Fantasticar we know and love is styled after a classic ’60s sedan, and yet it can float, fly, and zip the team around wherever they need to go.
- This interesting aesthetic decision by the filmmakers makes Fantastic Four: First Steps feel like a period piece with a twist. Each member of the team is styled in traditional '60s attire, which makes for a cool update to the characters we know and love.
- Don’t worry—the characters aren’t completely different. They still have their core character traits and powers, and even though we’re in the 1960s (or some version of it), key villains like Silver Surfer and Galactus still show up to stir the pot and challenge our heroes.
- Noisette says setting the film in a parallel, futuristic 1960s setting was a great move on Marvel’s part. This will help the Fantastic Four navigate the main timeline, and served as a fun way to expand on the characters while still remaining faithful to the comics.^{[2]
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Section 3 of 4:

Implications for the Marvel Cinematic Universe

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During Phase Six, we’ll also see the new animated series Eyes of Wakanda (2025), along with Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026), Avengers: Doomsday (2026), and Avengers: Secret Wars (2027). This phase also officially marks the end of The Multiverse Saga.^{[3]
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A title card at the end of the film lets us know to expect the team in the upcoming Avengers film, meaning we haven’t seen the last of Pascal, Kirby, Moss-Bachrach, and Quinn in the MCU!^{[4]
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The film’s post-credits scene offers a tantalizing look into the MCU’s future. After the credits roll, we see a scene taking place four years after the film, during which Sue Storm reads a book to her son Franklin, a toddler at this point. When she gets up for a moment, the camera cuts back to reveal Doctor Doom (played by Robert Downey Jr.) kneeling down in front of Franklin.^{[5]
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- Exactly what this scene means is still unclear, but some fans on Reddit think this confirms that Franklin will play an important role in the upcoming Avengers films.

Section 4 of 4:

Final Thoughts on Fantastic Four: First Steps

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The 1960s retro-futuristic aesthetic is a nice change of pace from the typical present-day Marvel film setting, and Pascal, Kirby, Moss-Bachrach, and Quinn bring an interesting new take to the characters. With an 86% critic and 92% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes as of August 1st, 2025, it appears critics and fans agree. We’re curious to see how this latest Fantastic Four team fits into the broader MCU, and it won’t be long before we find out!