The upcoming film, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, features a unique approach to the character Reed Richards, also known as Mister Fantastic. Directed by Matt Shakman, known for his work on series like WandaVision, the film aims to capture a “Spider-Man quality” in its portrayal of Richards’ iconic stretching ability, making it visually dynamic on screen.
Shakman explained that while abilities like invisibility or transformation into a flame are relatively easy to conceptualize, stretching presents a unique challenge. “Stretching is challenging. People understand invisibility, they can understand being on fire. You can even understand a big rock guy, but stretching is tough because there’s nothing in our world that does that,” he stated. The director emphasized that translating this ability into live-action is significantly more complex than in comic books or animation.
The cast of The Fantastic Four: First Steps includes Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, and Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards. The film pits Marvel’s First Family against formidable foes, including the Silver Surfer and Galactus. Their mission is not only to save Earth but also to protect the newborn baby of Sue and Reed, named Franklin.
Balancing Realism with Superpowers
Shakman shared insights on how the team approached the representation of Richards’ powers with a focus on realism. “If he’s going to stretch his arm, he’s going to need to counterbalance, right? He’s going to need to conserve some of his mass,” he explained. The creative team aimed to depict Richards maintaining anatomical integrity while stretching, ensuring that elements like elbows and shoulders remained visible.
The director drew inspiration from renowned comic artist Alex Ross, who has depicted Reed Richards with a blend of athleticism and the characteristic stretchiness that defines the character. “He manages to keep an athleticism to it and a kind of heroic proportion, while also maintaining the stretchiness,” Shakman noted. He highlighted the importance of making Richards’ movements dynamic, likening them to the fluidity seen in Spider-Man’s actions.
Upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe Integration
While there is no confirmation regarding a crossover with Tom Holland‘s Spider-Man in the forthcoming movie Avengers: Doomsday, the potential for interactions between Pascal’s Reed Richards and Holland’s Peter Parker remains a topic of interest among fans. The thought of the duo swinging through the city together excites many comic book enthusiasts.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set to release in UK cinemas on July 24, 2024, followed by its debut in other regions the next day. As anticipation builds, audiences can look forward to exploring the latest additions to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, along with a schedule of upcoming films and shows, ensuring that the legacy of Marvel’s storytelling continues to evolve.
