How Fantastic Four: First Steps gives Marvel's ‘first family' a second chance
When Stan Lee and Jack Kirby introduced them in 1961, they ripped up the old superhero playbook. There were no masks. No secret lairs. Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm were public figures, squabbling like any real family while saving the world.
Marvel superheroes leading normal lives
These were not just action comics; they broke social ground. Reed and Sue exchanged vows in 1965 - the first superhero wedding. In 1968, Sue gave birth to Franklin Richards, making her the first pregnant superhero mom. The Fantastic Four also introduced the Black Panther in 1966's issue #52 - a historic first for a major Black superhero. And while it was not made official until decades later, scholars believe Ben Grimm was always meant to be Jewish, adding another layer of representation.
Also read: Fantastic Four: First Steps' mid-credits scene was shot by Avengers' Russo brothers, says director Matt Shakman
The Fantastic Four did not just redefine heroes; they built the Marvel universe itself. Spider-Man's debut in 1963 featured the team right on the cover of Amazing Spider-Man #1, a move that boosted both characters.
By 1965, Reed and Sue's wedding turned into a wild crossover with 19 superheroes and 28 villains crammed into one issue. Stan Lee and Jack Kirby even appeared in the comic, blurring the line between fiction and reality. As comics historian Douglas Wolk has said, those first hundred issues are 'Marvel's Bible and manual,' reports The Conversation.
Marvel's Phase Six and beyond
Now, Fantastic Four: First Steps will launch Phase Six of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which will culminate in Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027. The film is not just a reboot - it is meant to carry the same spark that made the original comics so influential: heroes who are powerful, flawed, and deeply human.
FAQs
Who is Zac Efron playing in Fantastic Four?
Marvel hasn't confirmed Zac Efron as part of the cast, and no official role has been announced for him.
Who is playing the new Fantastic Four?
The cast for Fantastic Four: First Steps includes Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, Pedro Pascal, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach.
Is Fantastic Four from Marvel?
Yes, the Fantastic Four are Marvel characters, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1961.
When is the new Fantastic Four movie coming out?
Marvel's Fantastic Four: First Steps was released on 25 July 2025.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
Have been preparing to get out soon: Jamie Lee Curtis on leaving Hollywood
London, Jul 28 (PTI) Oscar-winning actor Jamie Lee Curtis says she is planning to "get out of Hollywood" soon after noticing how her star parents, Janet Leigh and Tony Curtis, have been rejected by the industry as they aged. Curtis, who will next star in "Freakier Friday", a sequel to the 2003 hit film "Freaky Friday", said she witnessed how the success and fame that her parents achieved was slowly eroding and called it a painful phase. "I witnessed my parents lose the very thing that gave them their fame and their life and their livelihood, when the industry rejected them at a certain age," the 66-year-old actor told The Guardian in an interview. "I watched them reach incredible success and then have it slowly erode to where it was gone. And that's very painful... I have been prepping to get out, so that I don't have to suffer the same as my family did. I want to leave the party before I'm no longer invited," she added. Her upcoming film "Freakier Friday" is slated to release on August 8. Also featuring Lindsay Lohan, who is reprising her role from the first installment, the film is directed by Nisha Ganatra. The Disney film also stars Julia Butters, Sophia Hammons, Manny Jacinto, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Rosalind Chao, Chad Michael Murray, and Mark Harmon, and will pick up the story years later from where it ended. Directed by Mark Waters, "Freaky Friday" revolved around the mother-daughter duo (Curtis and Lohan), whose souls get switched after a visit to the mysterious Chinese restaurant. The next morning, both of them find themselves in each other bodies and a chaos follows. It was based on the 1972 novel from Mary Rodgers.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
At 58, Adam Sandler revisits Happy Gilmore, but his most personal work still honors his Russian-Jewish heritage
Nearly three decades after he first swung a golf club in Happy Gilmore (1996), Adam Sandler , now aged 58, remains an enduring icon in Hollywood, equal parts class clown and cultural curator. That film, a screwball comedy about a failed hockey player turned golfer, made Sandler a household name and set the tone for his brand of absurd yet oddly heartfelt humor. The sequel ( Happy Gilmore 2 ) sees the once-retired golfer return to the sport, this time to fund his daughter's ballet school. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Finance Leadership Operations Management Project Management MCA healthcare Cybersecurity Technology Design Thinking Others Product Management MBA Degree Data Science Management others PGDM CXO Data Science Data Analytics Healthcare Artificial Intelligence Digital Marketing Public Policy Skills you'll gain: Duration: 7 Months S P Jain Institute of Management and Research CERT-SPJIMR Fintech & Blockchain India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 9 Months IIM Calcutta SEPO - IIMC CFO India Starts on undefined Get Details Also Read: WWII vet who married at 100 in Normandy, plans Bar Mitzvah at 103 at the Pentagon; still chasing dreams 81 years after D-Day by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Ringing in The Ears? Do This Immediately! Live Happier Click Here It brings back familiar faces like Shooter McGavin and Virginia while introducing new cameos from stars like Bad Bunny, Travis Kelce, and pro golfers Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau. Live Events Written by Sandler and longtime collaborator Tim Herlihy and directed by Kyle Newacheck, the film mixes nostalgia with emotional maturity. It revolves around redemption, grief, and legacy amid the familiar chaos of golf. Adam Sandler's Russian Jewish connection But other than his laughs, Sandler's work has often traced back to something far more personal: his Russian-Jewish heritage . Born in Brooklyn and raised in Manchester, New Hampshire, Adam Sandler is the son of Judy, a nursery school teacher, and Stanley, an electrical engineer, both of whom are descended from Russian-Jewish immigrants. His Jewish upbringing, which was greatly influenced by his parents, plays a vital role in Adam Sandler's work. Many believe that growing up celebrating Shabbat dinners, Hanukkah, and other Jewish rituals in a home steeped in tradition directly inspired projects like Eight Crazy Nights and The Chanukah Song. In his heartfelt acceptance speech for the 2022 Mark Twain Prize for American Humor , Sandler credited his family for shaping who he is. He said he 'never had a speech from my father… but I learned to be led by example,' recalling how his father introduced him to music icons like Johnny Mathis and imparted a strong sense of humor and resilience. He also spoke lovingly of his mother Judy, who had unwavering faith in his dreams. His reflections sound very similar to 'old‑school Jewish dad energy', a combination of stern love, dry wit, and unspoken lessons rooted in cultural values. Who were these Russian Jews? Russian Jews, like Sandler's ancestors, were part of a large wave of immigration to the US in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, fleeing pogroms and persecution under the Russian Empire. Settling in cities like New York and Boston, they preserved their customs while adapting to American life. The tension between old-world roots and new-world ambitions is something Sandler often pokes fun at and celebrates. This cultural inheritance is sometimes displayed in several of his most Jewish-inflected films. Here are five Adam Sandler movies that prominently feature Jewish culture through their themes, characters, or humor, reflecting Sandler's embrace of his Jewish heritage. Eight Crazy Nights (2002) In this animated Hanukkah musical, Sandler brings Jewish holidays and themes front and center in a way rarely seen in mainstream cinema. He not only voices multiple characters but also infuses the film with warmth and irreverence drawn straight from Jewish storytelling traditions. You Don't Mess with the Zohan (2008) As an Israeli commando who ditches war for a new life as a New York hairstylist, Sandler dives into Jewish and Middle Eastern identity with satire and slapstick. The movie playfully tackles Jewish pride, diaspora identity, and cultural misunderstandings. Uncut Gems (2019) In perhaps his most critically acclaimed performance, Sandler plays Howard Ratner, a Jewish jeweler navigating chaos in Manhattan's Diamond District. The Safdie Brothers' thriller immerses viewers in Jewish family life, rituals, and the grit of generational business culture. You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah (2023) Featuring his real-life daughters, this Netflix hit is a heartfelt portrayal of adolescence, friendship, and family within a Jewish context. It's Sandler at his most sincere, spotlighting the bat mitzvah tradition as a celebration of identity and belonging. The He brew Hammer (2003) – Honorary Mention Though Sandler doesn't star in it, this cult classic reflects the same sensibility that marks his best Jewish-themed work: brash humor with a warm embrace of tradition. Its influence and shared spirit earn it a place alongside Sandler's cultural contributions.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
'Fantastic Four: First Steps' post-credit scenes spark major buzz - Here's all you need to know about the twists and thrills
'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' starring Pedro Pascal , Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach made it to the theatres on Friday. With its gripping tale and stellar performances, the film has kept the audience entertained and the cash registers ringing at the box office. And what's adding more to the audience's interest are the two post-credit scenes featured at the end of the movie. 'The Fantastic Four : First Steps' post-credits scene If you are a fan of the MCU, then you would understand the craze behind the post-credits scene. These scenes offer a glimpse into what is next for the franchise lovers. And with the post-credits scene of 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps,' there are not one but two post-credit scenes. First post-credit scene Herein, the story jumps ahead four years, showcasing the Fantastic Four still residing in the Baxter Building. Sue Storm (played by Kirby) is shown reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar to her young son, Franklin. After turning down a suggestion from the robotic assistant H.E.R.B.I.E. to read a book by Charles Darwin, she hands her son another book. Just as she turns around, a cloaked figure enters the room, holding Doctor Doom's trademark silver mask, catching Franklin's attention. Though the antagonist is only briefly revealed, played by Robert Downey Jr., by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Private Jet - The Prices May Surprise You! Private Jet I Search Ads Learn More Undo it hints at his entry into the MCU and his interest in Franklin's extraordinary reality-altering abilities. Second post-credits scene It features a charming retro-style intro for a Fantastic Four cartoon, which sees the heroes battle classic villains like Red Ghost, Puppet Master, and Diablo. A quote from the creator of The Fantastic Four, Jack Kirby, then appears on the screen. It reads: 'If you look at my characters, you will find me...' followed by a title card that further explained the importance of Earth‑828 as a homage to his birthday, 28 August.
