I really need Fantastic Four: First Steps to break a tragic and disappointing Marvel movie trend that’s lasted for 20 years. 2005 saw the release of the first major blockbuster-level Fantastic Four movie from 20th Century Fox. Since then, the original Fantastic Four movie received a sequel with The Rise of the Silver Surfer in 2007, while 2015 saw Fox’s controversial reboot attempt. Now, Marvel Studios is set to reboot Marvel’s First Family once more, and it certainly looks primed to break what’s been an ongoing negative trend for these particular Marvel movies.

Releasing in July, Fantastic Four: First Steps will star Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm, and Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm. Set in an alternate retro-futuristic reality apart from the main MCU timeline, this new version of The Fantastic Four will attempt to protect their world from Galactus and his herald, the Silver Surfer. However, I really do believe the MCU’s Fantastic Four is in the best position to break what’s been a 20-year curse for the classic Marvel team and their on-screen endeavors.

The Fantastic Four’s Movies Have Had Less Than Stellar Reviews

Not The Greatest For Either Version

Across the board, the previous Fantastic Four movies have not had great reviews. This goes for both versions of Marvel’s First Family on the big screen. Tragically, none of The Fantastic Four movies produced by 20th Century Fox ever broke past a negative “rotten” critics score on Rotten Tomatoes:

While the original two Fantastic Four movies were critically panned, they did receive a somewhat modest reception from audiences, with scores sitting around 50%. This speaks to both of the original movies’ campy tone and formulaic execution, while also having their share of narrative problems/issues. However, that criticism is nothing compared to 2015’s Fantastic Four reboot by director Josh Trank, a movie that is still often cited as one of the worst comic book movies of all time in the decade since its release.

Why The 2005 & 2015 Fantastic Four Movies Have Had Lower Review Scores

Similar Issue (Though Both Had Great Casting)

Beyond the early 2000s Fantastic Four movies’ aforementioned campy tone and basic narrative that was fairly common for superheroes movies of its era, there was also strong controversy regarding Rise of the Silver Surfer and its differing depiction of Galactus compared to what’s seen on the page, as the decision was made to make him look like nothing more than a giant space cloud. This was something that many Marvel Comics fans found to be quite frustrating and damaging to the movie’s third act.

Likewise, 2015’s Fantastic Four was far worse. To name just a few of the biggest grievances, the back half of Trank’s Fantastic Four is so rushed it feels as though it’s completely devoid of a second act entirely. Also, the depiction of Doctor Doom in 2015’s Fantastic Four was highly controversial, as was the decision to inflect almost body-horror-like tones into the origin of The Fantastic Four’s powers. That said, it’s worth noting that the best thing all three movies did fairly well was casting, something that was largely received positively across the board.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps Looks Like The Perfect Movie To Break The Fantastic Four’s Review Trend

A Unique Take With Strong Comic Accuracy

10 years after the last attempt, Marvel Studios is ready to reboot The Fantastic Four once more, having secured the rights back from Fox in 2019 (along with the X-Men). Based on the trailers for Fantastic Four: First Steps, it certainly looks as though director Matt Shakman intends to bring back the sense of exploration and adventure The Fantastic Four are known for in the comics. This was something fell fairly flat in the 2015 reboot, largely due to the movie’s overall darker and more gritty aesthetic (which just didn’t fit).

Additionally, the MCU’s teases for Galactus as the main villain in First Steps already support an exciting comic-accurate depiction, and the opportunity for the FF to connect with MCU heroes and villains in the future is a unique and exciting opportunity none of the previous Fantastic Four franchises had either. With any luck, the MCU’s Fantastic Four: First Steps will finally break the curse that has long plagued the First Family on the big screen for 20 years.

Fantastic Four: First Steps releases in theaters on July 25th from Marvel Studios.

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