The unique powers of the Fantastic Four have always set them apart. Ben Grimm, also known as the Thing, possesses a rocky exterior, while Johnny Storm, or Human Torch, can encase his body in flames. Sue Storm, Invisible Woman, has the ability to disappear and cloak anything she desires, which is enhanced by her powerful psionic forcefields. Reed Richards, their leader and genius inventor, gained a remarkable ability on that space flight: the power to shape-shift and manipulate his body in various ways. Apart from being the world’s smartest man and creator of the team’s advanced technology, Mr. Fantastic’s elasticity has saved the group numerous times throughout their adventures.
In the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe film titled “The Fantastic Four: First Steps“, we’ll get to know the renowned family of inventors and superheroes, finding them already well into their heroic careers. Vanessa Kirby will embody Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn will ignite as Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach will bring Ben Grimm’s catchphrase “It’s Clobberin’ Time” to life. Joining this stellar cast is Pedro Pascal, who takes on the role of Reed Richards. Although trailers have been highlighting Sue, Ben, and Johnny’s impressive powers, there seems to be a deliberate secrecy surrounding Reed’s abilities, with only one shot in the trailers showing him stretching supernaturally.
Even though Reed’s abilities were not clearly showcased in the promotional material for Fantastic Four: First Step, related media have picked up where the original left off. For instance, the LEGO First Steps model included a humorous extension on Mister Fantastic’s Minifig to depict his stretching abilities. Furthermore, several official promotional posters from the film allowed Reed to stretch, showcasing him prominently as part of the team and even extending his arm towards the camera in a poster for the movie’s Dolby Cinema release.
In the movies, Marvel Studios has subtly demonstrated Mr. Fantastic’s powers without going overboard. The latest trailer for First Steps features a scene where Reed is seen stretching in multiple directions while falling from a building, and he appears to be holding onto some sort of metallic rod, which could either be an advanced tool or debris. We’ll have to wait and see!
The Marvel Studios film titled “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” is set to hit cinemas on July 25, 2025, with Matt Shakman, director of “WandaVision”, at the helm. Actress Julia Garner from “Ozark” will bring the Sky-Rider of the Spaceways, the Silver Surfer, to life on screen. Additionally, Ralph Ineson’s unique, deep voice will be featured as Galactus, a cosmic planet devourer, and he will also play the villain using visual effects and a custom-made costume.
How Reed Richards Has Stretched Through the Decades
Reed Richards made his debut in The Fantastic Four comic book #1 on November 1, 1961, created by the iconic duo Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. This initial foray into the Marvel Universe laid the groundwork for its lasting popularity among fans today. Given that superpowers can be more effectively illustrated in the medium of comic books, Reed has traversed the Marvel universe through print, stretching to incredible lengths. Additionally, Reed Richards has assumed various amusing and intriguing forms over the years, such as a bouncing ball or a parachute. When confronted by his numerous foes, he sometimes becomes entangled in complicated situations within the pages of the books.
Prior to Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox and Marvel Studios reclaiming the movie rights for the Fantastic Four, Fox attempted to bring the original family to the silver screen, but with only moderate results.
In both the 2005 film “Fantastic Four” and its sequel, “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer,” which was released in 2007, Ioan Gruffudd donned Reed’s molecular-filled uniform that was often unstable. Due to financial restrictions and the technical limitations of special effects during that time, Reed’s powers were not showcased frequently. The most significant demonstration of his abilities in the first movie occurs when he restrains Ben Grimm by enveloping him with himself.
In “Rise of the Silver Surfer,” Richard’s elongation ability largely remained consistent. However, there’s a memorable scene about halfway through the movie where Reed gets a bit too tipsy at a nightclub and uses his powers to illuminate the dance floor. This sequence is often met with strong reactions from fans, with few feeling indifferent.
2015 saw Fox making another attempt at adapting the Fantastic Four, but if Marvel hadn’t regained the rights since, it could have been a significant setback for the IP on the big screen. The film, often sarcastically referred to as Fan4stic by audiences due to its confusing title treatment, featured Miles Teller portraying Reed. His performance wasn’t exactly in line with fans’ expectations. In truth, Reed’s characterization might have been one of the less problematic aspects of this movie, which also suffered from awkward dialogue and a storyline that many felt failed to live up to the legendary stature of the Fantastic Four.
Prior to Pedro Pascal assuming the character, Marvel Studios paid tribute to fans by having John Krasinski make a brief appearance in 2022’s “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.” He portrayed a variant of Reed from Earth-838. Regrettably, Wanda Maximoff, corrupted by the Darkhold, paid a visit and turned Krasinski’s Reed into pasta made of a human, thus ending his existence.
Worldwide gamers have unexpectedly grown fond of the Fantastic Four before the movie “First Steps” even hit theaters. The success of NetEase’s game, Marvel Rivals, has brought attention to parts of the Marvel Universe that might otherwise be overlooked by casual viewers. In Marvel Rivals, all four members of the FF are playable characters, including a more rugged-looking Reed Richards compared to his typical nerdish image. Reed is categorized as a “Duelist” in the game, and his powerful Ultimate move has him leap across the battlefield using his stretching abilities, often accompanied by an excited shout of “Fantastic!“.
Despite not consistently embodying the cultural moment as effectively as other Marvel characters such as Spider-Man and Wolverine, the Fantastic Four have had an abundance of adaptations. They’ve appeared in animated shows, video games, and even a 1994 film with a modest budget that initially didn’t plan to be released publicly. However, with the release of The Fantastic Four: First Steps in cinemas nationwide this July, there could be an opportunity for the team to truly shine on the silver screen.
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2025-06-14 16:34