Matt Shakman's Concept for Fantastic Four: Initial Developments and Audience Reactions Following Test Screening

      The announcement of Fantastic Four: First Steps, scheduled for release on July 25, 2025, has been hinted at for quite some time. If you're a fan of Marvel films, you've probably secured your tickets already. I certainly have, as there will likely be a lengthy queue, especially now that Pedro Pascal is part of the cast.

      Matt Shakman, the film’s director, has expressed his admiration for Marvel’s original superhero family, the Fantastic Four. In a recent interview, he shared that he grew up as a comic book fan and directing this movie is a dream realized. Honestly, his enthusiasm and vision come through in the trailer, and I’m genuinely rooting for this film.

      I greatly value the effort and dedication he is putting into transforming the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) filmmaking landscape. Rather than relying on studio sets, he chooses real locations to make the content more relatable for viewers. He even mentioned in an interview, “Practical approach is the best approach. As a filmmaker, it benefits me and the actors. The audience enjoys it too.”

      The director has instructed his creative team to depict the characters with a 1960s aesthetic, while utilizing contemporary technology. This combination is sure to be visually striking. Furthermore, the promised camera effects and videography aim to deliver an immersive Marvel experience that audiences can truly connect with. This seems like a strong direction, especially considering the recent Marvel films were lacking in this aspect.

      In his interview, Matt Shakman mentioned that “A lot of our inspiration is what Stanley Kubrick did in the 60s. We build miniatures, and we have a stunning miniature that’s 13 or 14 feet tall as their ship, and we’ve captured beautiful shots of it.” I believe he aims to create genuine scenarios, crafting visually impressive scenes that appear realistic.

      Although Matt Shakman is known for his directorial talents, highlighted by his work on Game of Thrones and The Boys, Fantastic Four: First Steps marks his first venture into the Marvel cinematic realm. While he has previously worked on Wandavision, that was a series, and this project is a full-length movie.

      Let’s not overlook the talented cast that includes stars like Vanessa Kirby and Joseph Quinn. Historically, Marvel movies have featured impressive ensembles, and they continue this trend by casting incredible actors who excel in their roles; I hope they deliver once again in this film.

      As the movie’s release approaches, Marvel had a test screening. Reports indicate that rather than taking place at Comic Con, this time it was held at Regal Beach, with responses being mixed and unexpected.

      Many viewers have claimed the film did not meet expectations, which is rather surprising. The anticipation was high, yet audiences were left unsatisfied. Interestingly, positive feedback has been directed towards the villain Galactus, rather than the heroes themselves. Finally, it seems we Marvel fans are getting a formidable villain, which has been a long time coming. Although I haven’t seen the test screening myself, the trailer did resonate with some of the critiques.

      I find myself agreeing with the reviews stating the VFX resembles that of a PS5 game after watching the trailer. I wish the directors would invest more thought into these elements, as this isn’t the first attempt at a Fantastic Four movie.

      Previous films released in 2005, 2007, and 2015 weren't major successes. Given that Fantastic Four is a story centered around a superhero family, like many others, I had higher hopes. It pains me to see these films consistently fail to honor the characters’ beloved histories.

      How Much of This is Accurate?

      Despite hearing numerous rumors, I’ll remain cautiously optimistic until I see the film for myself. Let’s not jump to conclusions based solely on reviews and trailers. I share my fellow fans' heightened expectations for this film. After investigating online, I concluded that much of the discourse is driven by negativity.

      Shortly after the reviews emerged, many claims were dismissed as false. Attendees of the test screening described the event as relatively quiet, contrary to online reports. With the release date approaching and much happening behind the scenes, we won’t know the truth until we see the film ourselves. What I do know is that I’m returning to play Marvel Rivals in the meantime. The movie could disappoint, but Marvel Rivals never will.

      Currently, the Lattice Cheaper upgrades in Marvel Rivals are enabling me to make a significant return to the game without straining my budget. This opportunity has allowed me to enjoy the game in full. Plus, with the Fantastic Four joining Marvel Rivals early this year, it’s a perfect time to relive those moments in the game before the movie arrives. If you’re a fellow Marvel Rivals player, you know what I mean.

      Circling back to the film, I’m confident that Fantastic Four: First Steps will outshine Thunderbolts and Captain America: Brave New World, but the real question is whether it will leave