‘The Fantastic Four’: Marvel’s First Family take first steps into the MCU
There is a reason why The Fantastic Four is referred to as “Marvel’s First Family”: they were the first superhero team ever introduced in Marvel Comics, debuting a full year before the Avengers. Historically, if The Fantastic Four had not become an immediate best-selling monthly title for Marvel Comics, the company might not have survived much longer. Consequently, a great deal was at stake for the immediate success of this, then brand new title with comic book collectors and readers at the time in the 60s.
Not too long ago, I still remember watching a documentary about The Fantastic Four, where legends, pioneers, comic book artists, and creators like Stan Lee were interviewed. He mentioned that The Fantastic Four would be his last attempt to make Marvel Comics profitable. If it didn’t sell, there’s a strong likelihood we wouldn’t be discussing The Fantastic Four many decades later. In essence, without The Fantastic Four, there would be no Marvel Comics—the same Marvel Comics we all know today.
I do not believe there would have been multiple iterations, versions, and live-action remakes of The Fantastic Four since 1994 if “Marvel’s First Family” had not been significant, to say the least, to both the comic book industry and its fans. People’s perceptions of the team have evolved, and this acknowledgment carries considerable weight. Filmmakers tasked with bringing The Fantastic Four to life on the big screen strive to strike the right balance between honoring the team’s lore, origins, and history, as they understand that this is both integral and essential.
In the early 2000s, two The Fantastic Four movies were released, both enjoyable but now feeling somewhat dated. However, they captured many key elements, which is why these films are remembered fondly, often with amusement and nostalgia. These movies placed significant emphasis on the team’s origins, although they made some adjustments and took artistic liberties, as is often the case in adaptations. Overall, they remained true to the essence of The Fantastic Four as depicted in the comic books. The source material has always been, and will continue to be, the comic books. There is no way of getting around that fact.
Years later, another version of The Fantastic Four was released that felt somewhat off in certain aspects but much better in others. But its off-center representation of the team alienated many fans. Consequently, it became a disappointment and did not meet most expectations. From my perspective, it felt like an extended movie trailer, waiting until the end to reveal the most exciting part. Marvel Studios has learned from that misstep. With the licensing rights to The Fantastic Four returning to Marvel Studios after many years, a concerted effort to accurately portray “Marvel’s First Family” is essential, especially as things seem to be heading in the wrong direction since 2019.
Article continues after this advertisementIt was only with ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ that I felt a strong conviction that it included all the correct elements of the previous three versions based on everything I have read, learned, and what has been made public about the yet-to-be-released film. From what I can tell, ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ has identified its central theme based on the confirmed plot details that have been leaked and achieved a near-perfect balance, convincing most that this is the film everyone has been waiting for The Fantastic Four to become.
Article continues after this advertisementUnfortunately, once again, we are exploring the idea of alternate timelines. In short, this is yet another variant of the team, which is becoming tiresome to discuss, as that term lacks both creativity and depth. I mean, when are we going to finally get the original version of the team? It feels lazy and like a weak attempt at creativity to continue pursuing this variant route, especially since it has been done countless times before. Haven’t there already been several movies centered around that plot detail? I believe most of us are tired of it.
However, you really can’t blame them for not getting everything they wish for; compromise is necessary. Filmmakers cannot lose all their artistic and creative liberties, as each has their vision for the film, even when they handle comic book-based movies, which they often have little respect for or knowledge about, as was the case when Bryan Singer was the showrunner for the X-Men movies under FOX.
When filmmakers discover something great, it is naturally hard for them not to use it in any way they see fit. The concept of alternate timelines and variants is fascinating and has captured the imagination of many moviegoers regarding the MCU. Continuing to use this idea is smart, but I believe it is nearing its end. With The Fantastic Four, it makes more sense to use it here because Reed Richards, the smartest man alive, is not only known for his incredible stretching abilities as Mr. Fantastic, but he is also likely the only person who would know how to handle these alternate timelines once he discovers their existence in his reality.
From a broader mindset, I understand why the filmmakers felt compelled to engage moviegoers to the point of exhausting their resources. A lot of things became more complicated once the multiverse concept was introduced. It was a bright idea at first, to utilize something that has existed in Marvel Comics for a long time and bring it into the MCU, but it feels like it has gone off the rails already at this point. Honestly, I do not think they intended for this to go on for so long, nor do I believe they have a clear endgame plan for it.
After all, with infinite possibilities come infinite outcomes, but the downside is that now practically all super-heroes and super-villains have variants of themselves, which is silly. Indeed, the big question is: How can they create a cohesive and interconnected narrative? Since 2008, how can they explain that The Fantastic Four does not exist in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), except for the cameo of Mr. Fantastic in ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’? This is due to the licensing rights of FOX, which owned The Fantastic Four, expiring; the same applies to the X-Men. Around that time, the MCU began to plant the seeds for their gradual integration into the franchise. That’s why it took so long and why it is only now that The Fantastic Four is officially part of the MCU. Many legalities and behind-the-scenes moves had to be made to bring The Fantastic Four back where they belong. With the right movie studio, they can do justice to the movie.
Now is the right time, more than ever, to finally welcome “Marvel’s First Family” into the MCU and give Marvel Comics’ pioneering superhero team the respect it deserves. It’s time to get The Fantastic Four movie right once and for all.