Kicking off Phase Six of the MCU, The Fantastic Four: Heroes Take the First Step is reinventing classic combinations.
Marvel Studios has officially kicked off Phase Six of the MCU, with the first installment The Fantastic Four: Heroes Take the First Step (The Fantastic Four: First Steps) set to premiere in Hong Kong ahead of its U.S. release on July 23. This marks the introduction of four brand new protagonists. This classic team, which has been adapted numerous times before, will appear in the MCU for the first time, symbolizing the launch of a new era while also taking on the dual mission of honoring and reimagining the legacy of the old characters.
Vanessa Kirby makes her debut Invisible Heroine, with Jessica Alba and Kate Mara sharing their insights personally.
Vanessa Kirby, who previously appeared in The Crown and Mission: Impossible series, takes on the role of Sue Storm in Invisible Heroine this time, revealing that she felt a lot of pressure at the start of her casting. As the third generation of the silver screen Invisible Heroine, she expressed her gratitude to former actresses Jessica Alba and Kate Mara for reaching out and sharing their insights about the character. She also mentioned that the warm welcome and encouragement from MCU members like Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, and Mark Ruffalo made her feel like this team is truly a close-knit community: “The atmosphere during filming in works like In “Avengers is all about helping each other, which really gives you a sense of belonging.”
Pedro Pascal plays Mister Fantastic and immerses himself in the role through imagination: I’m an octopus.
Pedro Pascal steps into the shoes of Reed Richards, Mister Fantastic, who not only boasts an elastic physique but is also a brilliant scientist. He reveals that while preparing for the role, he specifically imagined himself as an octopus. Though this metaphor isn’t explicitly depicted in the film, Pascal emphasizes that the character’s intellect is where the true superpower lies.
Joseph Quinn Refuses to be a Playboy-style Thunderbolt Fire and Focuses on the Inner Desires of His Character
Following Chris Evans’ portrayal of the playboy version of Johnny Storm in 2005, Joseph Quinn takes the lead in a new generation of Thunderbolt Fire, actively downplaying the past flirtatious image. He indicated that he had in-depth discussions with Marvel president Kevin Feige about reimagining the character: this version of Thunderbolt Fire is no longer just about looks and powers; it also incorporates deeper emotional layers.
Ebon Moss-Bachrach has played two Marvel characters and is now transforming into a rock monster.
Ebon Moss-Bachrach, who plays Ben Grimm/Stone Man, actually made his debut in the Marvel series The Punisher, where he portrayed the tech expert David Lieberman (Micro). The surname of the character Micro is derived from Stan Lee’s original name Stan Lee, and now he re-enters the MCU, deepening the character’s connection to the comics. Moss-Bachrach mentions that in playing Ben Grimm, he needs to master not just the stone appearance, but also the character’s inner strength and loyalty.
Preview of a thrilling comeback: The Baxter Building and H.E.R.B.I.E. pay homage to the original setting.
Fans have already spotted multiple Easter eggs in the trailer, including the iconic Baxter Building, a retro-futuristic skyscraper that first appeared in the 1962 comic issue #3. It was the first of its kind in superhero comics. Another highlight is the robot H.E.R.B.I.E., who makes an appearance in the kitchen scene. H.E.R.B.I.E. originally debuted in the 1978 animated series and later reappeared in comic issue #209 in 1979. These classic elements further confirm that this film will deeply explore the essence of the original story.
Limited edition merchandise is now available! Get IMAX movie tickets and receive a mystery box keychain for free.
The Fantastic Four: Heroes Take the First Step is now available for pre-sale, with major cinemas offering exclusive gifts. Purchase two full-price tickets to receive a limited-edition designer badge; buy two IMAX tickets to get a Blind Box Character Keychain, with styles randomly selected but filled with surprises. For fans, it’s not just about the movie experience, but also an extension of collectible value.
The main highlight of the new phase of the MCU is set to rewrite the future direction of the universe.
As the first mainline film of Phase Six in the MCU, The Fantastic Four: Heroes Take the First Step not only revives the four iconic characters but also lays the groundwork for future cosmic chapters. With rich character depth and intricate Easter eggs, alongside a fresh ensemble cast, audiences can expect to experience a version of Fantastic Four that feels both familiar and entirely new. These four heroes will no longer be merely classics in the hearts of fans; they are positioned to become the central force in the MCU’s future development.
