In a Marvel Cinematic Universe often defined by interlocking storylines and endless origin tales, Fantastic Four: First Mission promises a refreshing detour. Director Matt Shakman transports us back to the 1960s, evoking the era’s pulp comic aesthetics and the golden age of space exploration. Instead of rehashing how the team gained their powers, the film imagines the Four as already-celebrated astronauts—beloved by America for their fiery pioneering spirit—only to discover superpowers upon their triumphant return.
The Fantastic Four Suit Up for Space
At CinemaCon, Empire unveiled two striking new stills of the team in their retro-styled cosmonaut gear. In one image, Joseph Quinn’s daredevil Johnny Storm and Vanessa Kirby’s brilliant Sue Storm check instruments and share a confident grin. In another, Ebon Moss-Bacharach’s rock-solid Ben Grimm and Pedro Pascal’s visionary Reed Richards beam with excitement as they prepare for liftoff. Shakman explains that he wanted to channel the optimism of the 1960s space race—“It’s about JFK’s bold promise,” he says. “Imagine these four as America’s beloved explorers before they even knew they had superpowers. They’re astronauts first, a family second, and only then do they become heroes.”
First Glimpse of the Silver Surfer
But the real shocker came in a second exclusive trailer, which treated the CinemaCon crowd to their first look at Julia Garner’s Silver Surfer. The spot opens on the Fantastic Four as media darlings, only to shift to a cozy family dinner—where Sue reveals she’s expecting—before the atmosphere shatters. The Surfer arrives in a flash of cosmic light, warning of an impending cataclysm. As Galactus’s ominous silhouette looms over the New York skyline, a panicked bystander asks Reed if they’ll survive. He admits, “I don’t know,” before cutting to a hushed vow between Reed and Sue to protect their unborn child. The trailer closes on the Surfer streaking from a massive explosion, board in hand, leaving fans buzzing over whether his look will pay homage to the classic comics or embrace a radically modern redesign.
Releasing July 23, 2025, Fantastic Four: First Mission is shaping up to be the standout opener for MCU Phase 6—an inventive blend of nostalgia, family drama, and cosmic stakes that might just reset the franchise’s trajectory.
