Back in 2018 and 2019, Marvel Studios seemed like it was on top of the world, completely incapable of releasing a movie that didn’t earn over $1 billion at the box office. The studio essentially reset after Spider-Man: Far From Home in 2019, and kicked off its new Multiverse Saga, which also included shows on Disney+ instead of just feature films. It’s a bit tough to identify what exactly are the most important projects of the Multiverse Saga, but most fans would agree that one of them is The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Not only was the film the first to be set entirely in a new universe, but it also provided the first look at Doctor Doom (Robert Downey Jr.), who will be the feature villain of Avengers: Doomsday later this year.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps features one of the most impressive casts Marvel has ever assembled, including Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm, Ralph Ineson as Galactus, and Julia Garner as the Shalla-Bal version of the Silver Surfer. Nearly a year removed from the release of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Marvel has officially announced a new Silver Surfer prequel comic, titled Fantastic Four: First Foes – Shalla-Bal, which will focus on the origins of Garner’s Silver Surfer that were briefly shown in the film. The book by Charles Soule and Mark Buckingham goes on sale June 10, and both the cover and synopsis can be found below.
“Years ago, in order to save her planet, astronomer Shalla-Bal gave up her freedom to become the sustenance-seeking Herald of the intergalactic Devourer of Worlds, Galactus! Now, for the first time, learn the secrets of her transformation, her journey and the horrifying decisions that she had to make!”
When Does ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Come Out?
The cover of Fantastic Four: First Foes – Shalla-BalImage via Marvel
After being delayed out of its May release slot, Avengers: Doomsday will now be released exclusively in theaters on December 18. The film will open on the same day as Dune: Part Three, marking one of the biggest opening weekend pairings since Barbie and Oppenheimer dropped on the same day back in 2023. Avengers: Doomsday will see all members of The Fantastic Four: First Steps reprise their roles, and it’s also been confirmed they will survive the looming battle with Doctor Doom. They’ve already been confirmed to star in Avengers: Secret Wars, which will follow one year later in 2027. Marvel is also returning tenured MCU veterans like Chris Hemsworth and Chris Evans to reprise their roles as Thor and Steve Rogers in the film.
Pre-order Fantastic Four: First Foes – Shalla-Bal now and stay tuned to Collider for more updates and coverage of all Marvel-related projects.
Release Date
July 25, 2025
Runtime
115 minutes
Director
Matt Shakman