Disney Confirms Major ‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Plot Details in New Synopsis

We finally have a far better idea of what to expect from the MCU reboot of The Fantastic Four, with a newly revealed synopsis at last confirming several major elements about the highly anticipated Marvel movie. Coming courtesy of a Disney press release (via X/Twitter user @F4Update), we now know that The Fantastic Four: First Steps will be set in a “retro-futuristic” 1960s-inspired world, and that the superhero family will face the colossal supervillain Galactus, played by Ralph Ineson and his herald The Silver Surfer, played by Julia Garner. You can check out the new synopsis below.

“Set against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” introduces Marvel’s First Family—Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Johnny Storm/Human Torch, and Ben Grimm/The Thing as they face their most daunting challenge yet. Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, they must defend Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner). And if Galactus’ plan to devour the entire planet and everyone on it weren’t bad enough, it suddenly gets very personal.”

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is all set to be directed by Matt Shakman, and stars Pedro Pascal (The Last of Us, The Mandalorian) as Reed Richards, aka Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby (The Crown, Mission: Impossible – Fallout) as Sue Storm, aka The Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn (Stranger Things, Gladiator 2) as Johnny Storm, aka The Human Torch, Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Bear) as Ben Grimm, aka The Thing, Julia Garner (Ozark) as The Silver Surfer, and Ralph Ineson (The Witch, The Green Knight) as Galactus. The rest of the cast includes John Malkovich, Natasha Lyonne, and Paul Walter Hauser.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps Will Be Part of Phase 6 of the MCU

Previously, Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige has confirmed some other exciting details regarding the upcoming MCU reboot. As many have long speculated, The Fantastic Four: First Steps will be an alternate “period” piece set in the 1960s and is expected to take place in a universe separate from the rest of the MCU. Of course, thanks to the madness of the multiverse, it won’t be long before Mister Fantastic is sharing the screen with Spider-Man, Doctor Strange, and the rest of our beloved heroes.

“Yes, yes, very much so. It is a period. There were a lot of smart people, who noticed that that cityscape didn’t look exactly like the New York that we know, or that existed in the ’60s in our world. Those are smart observations, I’ll say.”

Marvel Fans Celebrate ‘Comic Accurate’ The Thing in Fantastic Four: First Steps

The leaked design of Fantastic Four: First Steps’ The Thing puts the reboot on track to be a success.

Fans have been waiting some time for The Fantastic Four to join the MCU franchise, and Feige is just as excited as everyone else, calling the titular team “legendary pillars of the Marvel Universe.”

“I’m extremely excited by it because I think those characters are mainstays, are legendary pillars of the Marvel Universe that we’ve never gotten to play with or explore in a significant way outside of Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Madness and a few fun teases before, in the way that we’re doing it in that film. So I’m extremely excited for that.”

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is scheduled to be released on July 25, 2025, as part of Phase Six of the MCU, which will also include Avengers: Doomsday on May 1, 2026, an untitled Spider-Man sequel on July 24, 2026, and Avengers: Secret Wars on May 7, 2027.