The MCU Prepares For A New Phase With Fantastic Four: First Steps

The trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps just dropped and it looks like the MCU is making some changes. The drab color profiles of the last five phases are OUT and soft pastels are IN. Featuring Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Marvel’s “First Family,” the Fantastic Four, the trailer drops us into a world where the Four have their powers living as celebrities in a sci-fi ’60s aesthetic world reminiscent of The Venture Bros.

The trailer shows Sue Storm’s invisibility, Ben Grimm’s rocky exterior, Johnny Storm’s flames, and even a quick shot of Galactus — but the one thing we don’t see is Reed Richards’ stretching ability, which means that it either looks hella cool or very lame.

Fantastic Four: First Steps is a make or break movie for the MCU. Setting aside the fact that the popularity of superhero films has been waning for quite some time, this is the third attempt at making a successful Fantastic Four franchise in 20 years. Most recently, in 2015, a Sony produced Fantastic Four film helmed by Josh Trank was a complete disaster.

But there’s more on the line here than making a solid FF movie. First Steps is meant to jump start phase 6 of the MCU, now without Kang. This clears the way for Doctor Doom, who looks to be the main baddie for the time being. All of this is great for superhero fans, especially those of us who are fatigued by the grim-dark films of the last two decades.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps hits theaters on July 25th.