Marvel news: ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ - Vibrant new trailer drops one month out
Marvel Studios dropped their final trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps on June 25, exactly one month out from the film’s premiere release date.
The vibrant trailer offered a distinct look at our upcoming fantastic characters, with plenty for fans to debate pertaining to Marvel's phase six launch platform.
Film News Blitz’s Aidan Leo breaks down what stood out from the trailer and the potential direction Marvel could be taking regarding its revitalised Fantastic Four.
Key reveals
The Marvel Cinematic Universe brought a lot more to light regarding key characters such as Galactus and Franklin Richards.
Both of which are set to play major roles in the MCU moving forward.
More was also revealed regarding the fan-beloved back-and-forth dynamic between Joseph Quinn’s Johnny Storm and Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s Ben Grimm (The Thing).
On Galactus, Marvel had only hinted at his physical aesthetic and presence previously, but in the final trailer, you’re able to witness the majority of the front of his body, aside from his neck and head.
The sheer size of him is testament to his otherworldly, godly nature.
However, comic book fans will make you aware that the Devourer of Worlds can shrink and grow at will.
Regarding the environment and feel, we’re given an initial look at the aesthetic of Galactus’ spacecraft, the ‘Fantasticar’, and the spirited and lively energy surrounding the characters.
We also get more insight relating to the urgency in Julia Garner’s Silver Surfer’s arrival on Earth, adding more meaning and context to the dialogue we received from her character previously.
With Franklin’s cosmic, multiversal-level powers and influence a key factor in the story of the Fantastic Four — the downfall of the Kang arc and the arrival of Doom makes his potential impact all the more interesting.
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Tone, mood and visuals
The ultimate trailer leans a lot more into the white and blue colourway of the team, which has a classic, yet chic and modern designed imprint and feel.
With the darker and more sombre subtext and literal aesthetic of Marvel’s recently released film, Thunderbolts* - First Steps will likely flip this mood into a brighter, atmospheric one.
There’s definitely a ‘family feel’ at play that juggles warmth, planetary-level threats, and hopefulness.
A dynamic perfectly poised for a story indicative of the very nature of Marvel’s First Family.
Story details
The story and plot points will certainly revolve around character dynamics, the potential struggles with identity, and a subtle prelude to the powers that are prevalent in the world of the Fantastic Four.
‘First Steps’ is a thematic reference, not just to the characters and their decisions, but also of a film set to control the direction of travel for the MCU.
That is possibly the most important factor surrounding the film.
In many ways, the film needs to succeed box office wise, as well as resonate thematically with fans for Marvel to set a strong precedent and foundation for phase six.
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Fans shouldn’t expect extensive antagonism in the film either, with there being a noticeable understated villainy in the trailer, rather than the feel of a vivid, traditional and immediate threat.
That feeling of dread and jeopardy will likely only come the more we get of Galactus, Silver Surfer, and Franklin in features down the line.
Furthermore, the main plot point of the film will seemingly be one that challenges our protagonists internally, rather than any direct conflict with Galactus.
Although, I’d expect a hint of the latter in the feature’s later stages - considering the Fantastic crew can be seen fleeing his spaceship in the trailer.
Overall reaction and closing thoughts
The final trailer certainly adds a deeper layer of the tone and potential high-stakes action we would have expected.
Visually, the film seems stylistically genuine, and tonally it suggests a move away from the typical mood we’ve received in recent MCU features.
Fans are cautiously optimistic though, considering the critical success of Thunderbolts*, but notable box office struggles that came with it.
The Marvel faithful deserve a level of production and direction that does these iconic comic book characters justice — a time they finally get their flowers.
We all remember Chris Evans as Captain America, not as the Human Torch. Remember that.
If the tone, feel, and seemingly stylistic edge prevails over the course of the film then the MCU’s narrative potential would have ticked plenty of the right boxes.
With the feature’s July 25 release just a month away, let’s hope Marvel’s teases lead to something that truly earns our connection with its First Family.
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