The Fantastic Four will finally join the MCU in 2026, and I’m convinced the film can skip one of the most awkward moments from the 2015 reboot. Marvel comic book readers have waited a long time for The Fantastic Four to get a perfect film adaptation. While the Tim Story films have memorable moments, critics and audiences didn’t react kindly to them, and the same can be said for 2015’s Fantastic Four, starring Miles Teller and Michael B. Jordan. 2015’s Fantastic Four was a disastrous flop that killed any chance of a successful franchise revival.
The first three Fantastic Four films have several embarrᴀssing moments, including turning Galactus into a giant cloud and Reed Richards displaying his elastic dance moves in the club. However, the story of The Fantastic Four: First Steps could finally get this franchise right, as it has the talent and filmmaking team it needs. After watching the first trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps, I’m optimistic that this film will be great, and can also avoid a laughable moment from the 2015 reboot that is continuously mocked.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps Is Already Set Up To Avoid The 2015 Reboot’s “Say That Again” Scene
2015’s Fantastic Four is another origin story, chronicling how this team came together and how they gained their powers. Despite their close relationship, the team doesn’t fully fight together until the climactic battle against Doctor Doom in Fantastic Four‘s ending. After winning their fight, the group brainstorms a name for themselves. Overlooking their new research center, Ben Grimm tells Reed “It’s fantastic” and Reed responds with, “Say that again.” Reed tells the other team members to prepare for his brilliant name idea before the screen cuts to black and the тιтle card appears.
It can be hard for superhero movies to reveal a hero’s or villain’s name without sounding corny. However, this is a particularly bad example of this trope. Ben saying “fantastic“, and then having Reed repeat it for emphasis is an annoyingly obvious way of developing the name. What’s worse is that Reed doesn’t even say it – the movie just hints at it, desperately trying to create excitement for a possible sequel. Fortunately, the MCU’s Fantastic Four can avoid this scene, since the team is already established.
The Fantastic Four Trailer Reveals The Team Is Already Established In Their Universe
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set in an alternate universe to the main MCU. It’s unclear if this film takes place in this universe’s version of the 1960s or if the universe is stuck in a permanent 1960s aesthetic. Either way, The Fantastic Four are already celebrities in this universe, celebrated for their space travels, heroism, and scientific breakthroughs. Since this team is already well-known, this film will likely skip the moment when the team gets its name.
That said, the movie could feature flashbacks to important moments in their backstories, as The Fantastic Four: First Steps‘ trailer appeared to show a brief look at the characters gaining their powers. Still, plenty of details suggest The Fantastic Four have existed in this universe for a while. Kids are wearing masks of The Thing, Reed and Sue Storm are doing interviews describing their routine, and the team has a mᴀssive tower in the city. Fortunately, most MCU viewers already know the origin story of Marvel’s First Family, so it can skip some awkward moments that other films couldn’t avoid.
Upcoming MCU Movies
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Thunderbolts*
- Release Date
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May 2, 2025
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The Fantastic Four: First Steps
- Release Date
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July 25, 2025
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Avengers: Doomsday (2026)
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MCU Spider-Man 4
- Release Date
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July 24, 2026
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Avengers: Secret Wars
- Release Date
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May 7, 2027
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