Every decade or so, during a planetary alignment and when cosmic rays are at their peak, Hollywood attempts to adapt the Fantastic Four.
Regrettably, the outcomes have not been as impressive as we had hoped. The three superhero films featuring Marvel’s initial team have either faded into obscurity – my apologies to Silver Surfer enthusiasts – or are so dreadful that they are best left forgotten (I’m sure you know which one).
Despite Marvel mastermind Kevin Feige’s announcement in 2019 that Marvel Studios would be incorporating the four into the MCU, I must confess that I had doubts.
Despite my love for most Marvel movies, I still had concerns about how Reed, Sue, Johnny, and Ben would fit into the larger MCU. It’s not that I didn’t trust Feige and Co, it’s just that these four heroes are not like the typical superheroes we see in the MCU.
I want photos! Set photos!
🎥 | New look at The Thing on the set of ‘THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS’ pic.twitter.com/Zz2q8sQt4D
— Fantastic Four Updates (@F4Update) August 28, 2024
From what I have seen online, it may still be early, but the set photos of the Fantastic Four have persuaded me to admit something I have been reluctant to do: I was incorrect about my initial thoughts on Fantastic Four: First Steps.
After viewing some blurry set photos, I have been convinced that I was mistaken. The recent images of Ben Grimm, also known as the Thing, are the ones that have caught my attention the most. This updated rendition of the Thing seems to have stepped right out of the comic book and onto the Fantastic Four set.
This is without a doubt the most faithful depiction of Ben in the comics that we have seen so far. Optimistically, I am choosing to believe that this speaks to director Matt Shakman’s creative vision for the upcoming movie.
The Four differ from other superheroes in that they prioritize adventure over everything else. While they do rescue the world from supervillains and assist the Avengers in preventing looming disasters, their main focus remains on embarking on thrilling journeys.
Imagine combining Indiana Jones and Doctor Who in a pop-culture blender to create the Four, a delicious comic book smoothie. These explorers embark on adventures to unearth new dimensions and worlds, while also searching for lost technology and artifacts. Their stories are known for being bold, bombastic, and outlandish.
Explorers of the unknown
joseph quinn as our johnny storm at D23 california 🔥🩵 pic.twitter.com/MFa2nTuOhl
— joseph quinn thinker 💭 (@josephqthinkerr) August 10, 2024
The group does not function well in a realistic setting because they are anything but grounded (literally, they have a flying car!). This is the reason why ‘the movie that shall not be named’ is such a disappointment. It removed the fantasy elements from the Fantastic Four and attempted to tell a gritty and realistic story.
While this may be effective for certain superheroes (such as Nolan’s Batman, who remains the prime example), it becomes problematic when the unorthodox nature is essential to a character or team’s identity. Removing it would be like stripping a vital strand of DNA, resulting in a strange and disorganized mutant (a comparison that comes to mind is Senator Kelly from the first X-Men movie).
Therefore, referring back to the photo of the Thing set, what intrigued me about it was its portrayal of a dedication to the bizarre and fascinating, a crucial element that has been absent from the Fantastic Four thus far.
Without a doubt, additional images and footage from the set indicate a strong belief and appreciation for the original material, which is essential for the success of the Four. After all, how else can we justify the striking vintage attire that Joseph Quinn has been spotted donning?
This is a stark contrast from the mundane and unoriginal “tacti-cool”costumes typically seen in the MCU. I am excited to see heroes battling crime (or powerful gods) in ensembles that resemble something you would stumble upon in your grandfather’s closet.
Essentially, the eccentricity is crucial to the success of the Fantastic Four (unintentional rhyme), but previous adaptations shied away from embracing this essential aspect. As a result, they were unsuccessful, which is why I am confident that First Steps will surpass them… or at least be an improvement from Fant4stic… oh dear, I accidentally mentioned its title!
Leave a Reply