Marvel's OG superhero family is set to return to the big screen. We are talking about The Fantastic Four, and the misfit superhero team is set to make its long-overdue debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
The principal cast has been announced so scroll down to find out who's playing whom, the director of the movie and its planned release date.
Who is starring in The Fantastic Four?
It's been announced that the internet's favourite dad Pedro Pascal will be playing Reed Richards aka the stretchy Mr Fantastic. Pascal will be joined by Napoleon and The Crown star Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/The Invisible Woman.
Right behind them is Joseph Quinn (Stranger Things) as Johnny Storm AKA The Human Torch and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Bear) as Ben Grimm AKA walking talking rock-humanoid The Thing.
The news was announced in the following Marvel Valentine's Day post.
Happy Valentine’s Day from Marvel’s First Family! Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn are The Fantastic Four.
— Marvel Entertainment (@Marvel) February 14, 2024
Marvel Studios' #TheFantasticFour, in theaters July 25, 2025. pic.twitter.com/unLVxPsjSW
Is this iteration of The Fantastic Four different from the previous movies?
Yes, the previous Fantastic Four movies fell under the auspices of 20th Century Fox and were therefore produced outside the parameters of the Disney-distributed MCU. Following Disney's acquisition of all Fox assets in 2017, it was therefore possible for the Fantastic Four to be absorbed into the MCU fold.
Two of the earlier Fantastic Four movies, released in 2004 and 2007, were spearheaded by Ioan Gruffudd as Reed Richards and showcased an early role for eventual MCU star Chris Evans as Johnny Storm.
In 2015, a rebooted take on the Fantastic Four starred Miles Teller as Reed Richards, Kate Mara as Sue Storm, Michael B. Jordan as Johnny Storm and Jamie Bell as Ben Grimm. It was a commercial failure that left a sour taste in the mouth, so hopes are high that the MCU iteration will redeem the classic superhero squad.
Who is directing The Fantastic Four?
The Fantastic Four is being directed by Matt Shakman who helmed all nine episodes of the Marvel series WandaVision. Shakman replaced original incumbent Jon Watts, director of the stupendously successful Tom Holland MCU Spider-Man trilogy.
The Fantastic Four is being written by Josh Friedman, creator and lead writer of the acclaimed Isaac Asimov series Foundation. He's also James Cameron's partner-in-crime on the upcoming Avatar 4 and 5 and will also be taking a co-writing credit on the 2024 blockbuster Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (due out on May 10th).
Where will The Fantastic Four sit in the Marvel Cinematic Universe?
The Fantastic Four will occupy Phase Six of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It will be released after Thunderbolts, to be led by Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier / White Wolf, and before the MCU reboot of Blade, starring Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali as the titular human-vampire 'daywalker'.
When is The Fantastic Four released?
The Fantastic Four is due for release on July 25th, 2025.
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