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After years of anticipation and more than one false start, The Fantastic Four: The First Steps is finally about to hit theaters. The upcoming film, set for release next week, marks Marvel Studios’ latest attempt to revitalize its cinematic universe—this time by turning its focus to Marvel’s original superhero family.
Directed by Matt Shakman and set in a stylized, 1960s-inspired retro-futuristic world, the film stars Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm. Early trailers and marketing materials promised a bold tonal shift for the franchise—and if early reactions are to be believed, Marvel may have finally found its next critical hit.
Credit: Marvel Studios
It’s been more than six years since The Walt Disney Company regained full film rights to the Fantastic Four, and fans have been waiting ever since for the studio to deliver a version worthy of the characters’ legacy. The pressure is especially high after a string of underwhelming box office performances from Marvel’s most recent outings.
Critics Single Out Kirby’s Performance as a Standout
Initial reactions to The First Steps are overwhelmingly positive, with many critics applauding the film’s tone, visual ambition, and emotional depth. Entertainment reporter Brandon Davis called the film “one of the best things Marvel has ever done,” comparing it visually to Interstellar and praising its cinematic scope.
Matt Neglia, editor-in-chief at Next Best Picture, echoed the sentiment, describing the film as “fantastic” and praising the cast as “excellent.”
Credit: Marvel
The most consistent thread across early reviews? Vanessa Kirby’s portrayal of Sue Storm.
Kirby, best known for her work in The Crown and Pieces of a Woman, is being hailed as the film’s emotional anchor. Critics have compared her performance to that of Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova and Elizabeth Olsen’s Wanda Maximoff, two of the most critically acclaimed female characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
One reviewer noted that Kirby delivers “a raw, grounded performance that elevates the material,” while another said she brings “both gravitas and vulnerability” to the role.
Vannessa Kirby as Sue Storm is being compared to the likes of Yelena Belova and Wanda Maximoff.Early reactions are praising her stand-out performance as one of Marvel’s most iconic and formidable female heroes.
Vannessa Kirby as Sue Storm is being compared to the likes of Yelena Belova and Wanda Maximoff.
Early reactions are praising her stand-out performance as one of Marvel’s most iconic and formidable female heroes. pic.twitter.com/1DpHU03rCm
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) July 19, 2025
A Bold Direction for Marvel’s First Family
What’s especially notable about Kirby’s performance is the storyline she’s been given.
In a departure from the typical superhero arc, The First Steps finds Sue Storm pregnant—and at the center of a galactic ultimatum. Galactus, the cosmic force threatening Earth, demands the unborn child in exchange for the planet’s safety.
Credit: Marvel
It’s a high-stakes narrative that appears to add a deeper emotional layer to the character, one that has often been sidelined in past adaptations. Kirby’s portrayal of a pregnant, morally conflicted heroine has already struck a chord with early viewers, with several calling it one of the MCU’s boldest creative swings to date.
While full reviews won’t be released until closer to the film’s debut, the early word suggests Marvel may finally have another hit on its hands that not only revives an iconic team but also gives a long-overlooked character her due.
Are you excited for The Fantastic Four: The First Steps?
