In the words of a prominent Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) producer, Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy served as a hidden influence on The Fantastic Four: First Steps. The upcoming Fantastic Four film in 2025, titled simply The Fantastic Four, is set to introduce Marvel’s First Family fully into the MCU. Pedro Pascal will portray Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby will take on Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn will play Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss Bachrach will embody Ben Grimm. This new Marvel Studios film, directed by Matt Shakman, is being hailed as a fresh start for the MCU, marking the commencement of a new chapter in superhero storytelling for the brand.
According to seasoned Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) producer Grant Curtis, it seems that the production team for “Fantastic Four: First Steps” is learning from one of the best. In a recent interview, Curtis mentioned that one of their major inspirations was indeed Sam Raimi’s trilogy of Spider-Man films.
In a chat with Collider, the acclaimed MCU producer mentioned some striking resemblances between Sam Raimi and Fantastic Four director Matt Shakman. He suggested that both directors often returned to the original material for inspiration and always questioned why each character they were handling was particularly well-liked.
One aspect of Matt Shakman I admire is his consistent return to the original source material. He recognizes that the enduring popularity of characters like Peter Parker and Spider-Man, which has lasted over 50 years, isn’t something they created, but rather something they are part of at that time.
Curtis mentioned that, similar to Spider-Man, Fantastic Four will strive to honor their extensive comic book background and portray a tale as true to the original’s spirit as feasible, by “immersing” themselves in it.
As a devoted cinephile, I’ve always held this IP in high regard. Its enduring popularity over six decades speaks volumes. Instead of shying away, let’s dive headfirst into its richness. Let’s not shy from it; instead, let’s inspire our screenwriters to craft the most thrilling Galactus tale yet.
Fantastic Four: Initial Footsteps”
In many aspects, this film will resemble a traditional comic book brought to reality. It is set in an alternate, retrofuturistic 1960s, and follows the exploits of our titular team as they grapple with the arrival of the cosmic entity Galactus, portrayed by Ralph Ineson, who threatens to consume the world.
Titled “First Steps,” this upcoming Marvel Studios production will feature Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn as its leading Marvel characters. In addition, Julia Garner portrays the enigmatic Silver Surfer, while Matthew Wood brings H.E.R.B.I.E. to life on screen. The grand Marvel adventure premieres in theaters starting July 25th.
Fantastic Four’s Influences On Full Display
Many contemporary superhero films have roots in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy, but it’s thrilling to learn that The Fantastic Four: First Steps is influenced by the directorial team behind Doctor Strange 2’s three Spider-Man movies.
The revamped version of the Fantastic Four will have a distinct feel compared to the early 2000s Spider-Man movies, but they’ll still have some shared characteristics. These similarities appear to stem from their deep exploration and portrayal of the core aspects of their respective characters.
Each classic comic book film has excelled at capturing the core spirit of the characters they’ve adapted.
In various films like Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man and Tim Burton’s Batman, we see similar storytelling techniques. After some attempts at adapting Fantastic Four fell short, it seems that it’s high time Marvel’s original team received a comparable cinematic interpretation.
As Spider-Man juggles the intricate act of managing Peter Parker’s life and his superhero persona, the comic “First Steps” mirrors this by focusing on the family theme that has been a cornerstone of the Fantastic Four since their debut in 1961.
If the 2025 version of Fantastic Four manages to effectively portray a strong family dynamic and delivers an exceptional superhero story, it could potentially become one of the all-time greatest films.
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2025-06-10 16:34