{"id":21675,"date":"2025-07-25T17:49:10","date_gmt":"2025-07-25T17:49:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/21675\/"},"modified":"2025-07-25T17:49:10","modified_gmt":"2025-07-25T17:49:10","slug":"marvel-finally-made-an-mcu-movie-you-dont-need-a-guide-to-follow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/21675\/","title":{"rendered":"Marvel finally made an MCU movie you don\u2019t need a guide to follow"},"content":{"rendered":"

Maybe \u201csuperhero fatigue<\/a>\u201d is a thing of the past<\/a> \u2013 with DC\u2019s \u201cSuperman<\/a>\u201d still soaring in theaters<\/a>, Marvel\u2019s \u201cFantastic Four\u201d reboot is set to join the fun this weekend, with positive momentum<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The new movie featuring Marvel\u2019s First Family, as they\u2019re known, is not a sequel, prequel, spinoff or crossover, but a fresh take on a historic group of superheroes<\/a>. No prior Marvelpedia<\/a> knowledge is required to enjoy.<\/p>\n

That might sound like no big deal, but after 2023\u2019s \u201cThe Marvels<\/a>,\u201d this spring\u2019s fourth \u201cCaptain America\u201d movie and \u201cThunderbolts*\u201d all underperformed by Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) standards, the new \u201cFantastic Four\u201d may offer broader audience appeal by not pulling from other franchises. And while there are definite Easter eggs (this is a comic book movie based on characters dating back to 1961<\/a>, after all), the movie is what you\u2019d call no-strings-attached fun.<\/p>\n

\"Ebon<\/p>\n

Ebon Moss-Bachrach voices Ben Grimm and Joseph Quinn portrays Johnny Storm in \u201cThe Fantastic Four: First Steps,\u201d releasing on July 25, 2025. – Marvel Studios<\/p>\n

Most of that has to do with a welcome course-correction after the last two attempts at \u201cFantastic Four\u201d (there was the suite of Chris Evans<\/a>\/Jessica Alba-starring movies from the aughts, followed by a largely forgettable attempt featuring Miles Teller a decade ago). This go-round is highly stylized as a retro-futuristic world a la The Jetsons (where is that movie, by the way?) that honors the 1960s-era origins of the titular foursome.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s also a game cast, including Pedro Pascal<\/a>, whose three films out this season<\/a> \u2013 oh wait, make that four<\/a> \u2013 still feel like not enough Pedro. Add to that Vanessa Kirby, \u201cStranger Things\u201d breakout Joseph Quinn \u2013 plus \u201cThe Bear\u2019s\u201d Ebon-Moss Bachrach as perhaps the most charming of the quartet, even though he\u2019s covered in a rocky mug \u2013 and the result is an engaging movie that focuses on family (in addition to some intergalactic baddies).<\/p>\n

\u201cFirst Steps\u201d doesn\u2019t even refer to the Four by their decidedly silly superhero names (the Human Torch does sound like an obsolete infomercial product, if we\u2019re being honest), but rather introduces them as a man, his wife, his best friend and his brother-in-law. They exhibit their superpowers, but their collective expertise as scientists and astronauts prove equally valuable.<\/p>\n

After a busy and tumultuous<\/a> few years in the ever-sprawling MCU, fans and casual viewers alike will have a breather after this weekend\u2019s release, since \u201cSpider-Man: Brand New Day,<\/a>\u201d the studio\u2019s next major theatrical tentpole, isn\u2019t coming out for another full calendar year and change. With any luck, that will be just enough time for everyone to get another round of zzz\u2019s before another dizzying superhero superstorm commences<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Fantastic Four: First Steps\u201d is out in theaters Friday. \u201cSuperman\u201d is distributed by Warner Bros., which is owned by CNN\u2019s parent company.<\/p>\n

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com<\/a><\/p>\n