I Think The Fantastic Four: First Steps Has A Really Deep Cut MCU Easter Egg No One Else Is Talking About

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In discussing the upcoming 2025 film “The Fantastic Four: First Steps”, Easter eggs that tie the movie to the expansive Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) are a given. This latest Marvel production draws from multiple categories, even incorporating some intricate links to the director’s past work on shows like “Saved by the Bell”.

Indeed, it appears that I’ve discovered a rather obscure allusion within this collection of adventures. If my assumption is valid, I must express admiration for its significance and the subtle way it was acknowledged.

Sue Storm: A Woman Of The Here And Now

In the beginning, a sequence showcases the previous four years of the Fantastic Four’s globe-saving missions. Various magazine covers highlight their achievements, including one from Now Politics, featuring Sue Storm (played by Vanessa Kirby) portrayed as a revered diplomat in Earth-828’s political sphere.

The current hidden reference isn’t about the multiversal designation derived from Jack Kirby’s birthday, who is known as Marvel Comics titan and co-creator of the Fantastic Four. Instead, it’s the magazine that I believe was named after the lesser-known 2003 romantic comedy “Down with Love.” In the movie, at its conclusion, Renée Zellweger establishes a magazine called Now, which Ewan McGregor then joins to write for as a lovesick individual. (Spoiler alert!)

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Why not check out the combined Disney+/Hulu package? For less than $11 a month (or $20 if you prefer an ad-free experience), you’ll have unlimited access to a treasure trove of entertainment, boasting nearly the complete Marvel Cinematic Universe along with all three earlier Fantastic Four films! Unfortunately, the film Down with Love is not part of the package yet – but perhaps in the future they’ll rectify that omission!

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Pause for a moment, as I understand you might be finding this connection a bit puzzling. However, if you delve deeper into the cast and crew of that movie, you’ll discover it was directed by Peyton Reed. Now, you may wonder how this connects to the cost of a Reed Tech baby monitor. Let me clarify.

(This version maintains the original’s conversational tone while simplifying the structure slightly for easier reading.)

Peyton Reed Developed A Very Similar Fantastic Four Movie, Before Joining The MCU

Let’s travel back in time to the year 2001. This was when Variety revealed that Mr. Reed, having just finished making “Bring It On”, was planning to produce and direct what later became the 2005 movie “Fantastic Four”. You can now watch it easily, as it’s available on Disney+.

It was possible that Reed would have directed Reed Richards much earlier in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as he was in contention for the directing role of Ant-Man before Edgar Wright’s resignation. In a 2019 Q&A with Collider, Reed himself explained his pitch for the film, which bears some resemblance to the concept we now recognize.

I worked on it for approximately a year, making various adjustments and involving multiple writers. One of the main concepts was a 1960s-themed production, which at that point was structurally similar to “A Hard Day’s Night” by The Beatles, with no focus on the backstory.

After completing Down With Love in 2003, Peyton Reed had some projects underway between 2002 and 2003. This suggests that he was ready and willing to create a light-hearted film like the one announced in 2001, which might have simply been an announcement of his hiring for the project.

Regardless of when it ultimately happens, it’s regrettable that the project didn’t get off the ground; reportedly due to creative disagreements. Nonetheless, considering First Steps adopted some of those ideas and moved forward with them, director Matt Shakman’s work appears to have repaid this creative/spiritual debt by making a respectful reference to it.

In the artwork paying homage to all actors from Roger Corman’s 1994 version of The Fantastic Four, as well as Jack Kirby himself, I can’t help but notice a subtle nod towards Mr. Reed. Furthermore, this post serves as an opportunity for enthusiasts like myself to encourage 20th Century Studios to bring about the long-awaited release of Down With Love in 4K and Blu-ray formats. It seems we’re all benefitting from this situation!

To stay updated about the current events in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, hurry to your nearest cinema and catch this fascinating blend of past and future. By the way, stay alert because the next hidden gem might pop up unexpectedly.

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2025-07-26 20:12