Summary
The Fantastic Four: First Stepshas finally released its first official trailer in a pretty unique way, and while fans aren’t entirely thrilled with the delivery, there’s quite a bit to be excited about within the trailer itself.
The Fantastic Four: First Stepshas been more than a decade in the making, as Marvel Cinematic Universe fans have clamored for Marvel’s first family to make the jump to the brand’s interconnected universe since its inception. While initially hindered by the rights to the characters being held elsewhere, Marvel Studios was quick to get to work when another Disney merger brought the team back home. The project was set to featurean inviting MCU-first retro aesthetic for its world, and this would be on full display in the first promotional stills from the film. The promo posters did wonders to drum up fan interest, andwith Robert Downey Jr.’s Doom rumored to debut in the film, fans have been eager for any and all promo material for the upcoming project to release.
Fans have finally gotten that wish, as a short 20 second clip released yesterday heralded the arrival of the film’s first official trailer this afternoon. Following an hour-long countdown timer on the officialMarvel Entertainment YouTube channelwith a launch station aesthetic and a brief segment featuring the film’s four main stars briefly discussing their roles and engaging the small studio crowd withEbon Moss-Bachrach leading a chant of The Thing’s iconic catchphrase, the trailer would debut to a ton of fan excitement in the comments. Opening up on Reed and Sue showing an elderly gentleman around the Baxter building, the trailer quickly ushers fans through a cozy domestic scene featuring Moss-Bachrach’s Thing teaching H.E.R.B.I.E. how to cook before taking a more serious turn. Pedro Pascal’s Mr. Fantastic opines about the team’s first failed flight into space in a melancholy manner before Vanessa Kirby’s Sue Storm reassures him, pointing out that they haven’t changed on the inside and that whatever may come, they’ll face as a family. This heartfelt interaction is overlapped by some incredible footage from the film, including a sleek rocketship and scenes featuring Johnny, Sue, and Ben in action using their powers as well as Galactus’ silhouette enveloping the city.
The trailer, as well as the arduous wait before it premiered, seems to suggest that the team is set to go back into space at some point during the film, and elsewhere it does a great job of showing off the film’s main assets and interesting glimpses, including a short close up of an old man that could beFantastic Four: First Steps’rumored important comic book villain appearance. While the trailer is indeed a welcome sight for fans and a confirmation of the film’s intended release date, there was also a lot of complaining among viewers about the mode of delivery. While fans were led to believe that the trailer would premiere all on its own at the appointed time, they were instead greeted with an hour-long wait and an interview segment that saw the film’s leads answer about five questions between the four of them, followed by just under a minute and a half of footage. While this isn’t a strange duration for a trailer by any stretch, it feels far less substantial than it should, thanks to the preceding wait and the distinct absence of some things that fans were eager to see. The footage omitted any sights of the Silver Surfer, Doctor Doom, a clear glimpse of Galactus, and (most egregiously) manages to not show off a single scene showing off Mr. Fantastic’s powers.
All in all, the trailer does well enough for first contact, including disprovingthat rumored name change for the Fantastic Four filmand showing off the level of special effects that fans can expect to be employed for the team’s superpowers. With several months and several unanswered questions left before the film premieres at the start of the second half of the year, fans can look forward to more promotional material in the meantime.
Fantastic Four: First Stepsis set for theatrical release on June 14, 2025.
