I don't particularly care if DC successfully launches its new cinematic universe off the back of Superman. I won't be excited just by the thought that a movie will tie into Superman. I'll get the thrill of anticipation if I trust a movie's going to be good.

First Steps line up with the end of Thunderbolts* as the franchise builds to the release of the epic Avengers: Doomsday in December 2026? CinemaBlend's own Jeff McCobb recently broached that subject in an interview with director Matt Shakman during the Los Angeles press day for the new 2025 movie,

Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing, Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic and Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman in 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios' THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. © 2025 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2025 MARVEL

If there's one consistent detail that remained in all prior adaptations of Marvel's The Fantastic Four, it's that being Ben Grimm aka The Thing (played this time by Ebon Moss-Bachrach), isn't that fantastic.

First Steps, with the general vibe being it's the best Marvel movie in years, I decided to give the Marvel universe another whirl. And, well, erm, really is this the best Marvel can offer? Cards on the table,

Major Superstar Was Hiding In Plain Sight In 'Fantastic Four,' Filmmaker Confirms “ The Fantastic Four: First Steps” took in $118 million over the weekend to dethrone “ Superman ” and lead the weekend box office. And one scene that had fans talking didn’t come during the movie itself. It came during the credits.

Is the new “Fantastic Four” movie fantastic? No, and not everyone will love the amount of downtime in this one. But good is good enough for a Marvel superhero movie these days.