Latest news with #HERBIE
Gizmodo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
Let's Talk About the End Credits of ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps'
The Marvel Cinematic Universe officially has its Fantastic Four. Or should we call it five? The new film, which is in theaters now, is largely centered around the fact that Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal) and Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby) have a child named Franklin. Franklin is crucial to not just the plot and the ending but also beyond. So let's get into it of the biggest revelations in The Fantastic Four: First Steps is that the planet-eater Galactus is willing to trade all of Earth for Franklin. Galactus believes he sees a cosmic destiny in Franklin: the ability to take over Galactus' job as an eternal planet destroyer, which would allow him to finally rest. Reed and Sue are shocked because they don't see anything special about their child. But who would know more? The two super smart Earthlings? Or the billion-year-old giant who lives in space and can eat planets? Galactus is right about Franklin, and we see why at the end of the movie. After Sue uses every ounce of her power to thwart Galactus, she dies but is quickly saved by Franklin's mysterious powers. He's more than us, Sue says to Reed, and, in the film's post-credit scene, someone else seems interested too. Four years after the events of the film, Franklin is older now and sitting in the Baxter Building with his mom. She's playing with him and says he wants to read a book. HERBIE pulls out Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species, which, apparently, is Franklin's favorite (saying a lot about the kid's intelligence), but they read it yesterday. Instead, Sue grabs something called A Fly Went By, a 1958 book written by Mike McClintock, when she hears a noise. Someone is in the room with them. And, as Sue walks around the corner, she sees none other than Doctor Doom, kneeling next to Franklin, who is touching his face. We don't see Doom's face, only his green cloak from the side, but he holds his silver mask in his hand so Franklin can go skin to skin. A few things here. First of all, Doctor Doom is probably the most famous of the Fantastic Four villains and, we know, the main bad guy in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, played by Robert Downey Jr. So of course this is a tease to that. It's also the first time we see Doom in the film, but not the first time he's referenced. Doom's comic book country, Latveria, is represented in an early scene at a United Nations-type place as the only country that didn't send a representative to Sue Storm's speech. So people are aware of him, we assume, but this credits scene is our actual first look. However, we don't really learn much from the scene. We don't know what Doom wants with Franklin. We don't know what Doom's specific relationship is, if any, with the Fantastic Four. We don't know how he got in, what's next, or anything. And we frankly don't know the extent of Franklin's powers. In the comics, he's had all manner of powers, such as the ability to manipulate space and time. So will Doom utilize that to try and take over the multiverse? Will the Fantastic Four follow in pursuit? That's another thing. Remember a whole three months ago when Thunderbolts ended with a scene of that team tracking an extra-dimensional incident of a ship with a '4' on it coming into Earth 616 (the main MCU timeline)? We all assumed it was the Fantastic Four, but maybe it's Doom with Franklin, making a run from the Fantastic Four. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige, if you remember, teased that the ship might not be the team's. Maybe he was being honest. Basically, the Fantastic Four end credits scene leaves us with many more questions than answers. And we're fine with it. We'll get those answers next December when the Fantastic Four and Doctor Doom return in Avengers: Doomsday. It's also worth mentioning that while the mid-credits scene is the only one of significance to the plot, there is a second scene at the very end. After a touching quote from Fantastic Four co-creator Jack Kirby, we get to see the full animated intro to the in-universe cartoon show that Ben Grimm hates so much. And it's awesome. A nice way to send us out. Did you think the Fantastic Four end credits scene was a fitting tease? What does Doctor Doom want with Franklin? Let us know below. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what's next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
The Advertiser
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
Reborn franchise a far cry from previous flops: it's unpretentious fun
The Fantastic Four: First Steps (PG, 115 minutes) 4 stars I'd have thought The Fantastic Four to be a fairly straightforward Marvel Comics to adapt effectively for the screen. It's got an interesting origin story and four solid main characters, each with individual qualities and powers, with which to work. But up to now, the cinematic adaptations have been surprisingly lacklustre, with box office returns ranging from bad to mediocre, and little acclaim or lasting affection for any of them. They had their enjoyable elements but lacked that certain something. Filmmakers kept trying, though, and this version is easily the best so far. And that's not damning with faint praise: it's a lot of fun. The Fantastic Four: First Steps takes on place on Earth-828, a reality in which the title characters seem to be the only known superheroes. The setting combines high tech with a distinctive 1960s look and feel - a nod to the period in which the characters first appeared (1961). Two trivia notes: 828 is the date of original artist Jack Kirby's birthday, and there are cameos by the stars of the first Fantastic Four movie from the 1990s, made on a very low budget and only it's been said, solely so the man who held the movie rights could retain them. It never got an official release so it's nice those actors, who made the movie in good faith, finally get an acknowledgment. The characters' origin story is cleverly and economically retold in a celebratory TV broadcast early in the film. Four astronauts returned from space physically changed by a cosmic ray shower, each in a different way, and become superheroes. Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal) became the stretchy Mister Fantastic (curiously, his power is seen the least), his wife Sue Storm (c) is now the self-explanatory Invisible Woman (who also does powerful things with force fields), and her younger brother Johnny (Joseph Quinn) can transform himself into the fiery Human Torch. Reed's best friend Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) underwent the most extreme transformation, permanently becoming the superstrong, rock-skinned Thing. Four years later the FF, who live together, are universally renowned as a force for good by a grateful, and seemingly much improved, world. They have as a helper a cutesy robot named HERBIE (Humanoid Experimental Robot B-Type Integrated Electronics, voiced by Matthew Wood) whose burbles began to grate: couldn't they have programmed him to have a proper speaking voice? Everything seems to be going well, professionally and personally. Sue finds out she is pregnant, after she and Reed have spent a long time trying, and so the anxiety and anticipation of impending parenthood is thrown into the usual bantering and bickering in which happy families engage. It can't last, of course. The enigmatic Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) comes to address the world with some bad news. A massive, ravenous space being named Galactus (Ralph Ineson) is on his way. His diet is the life force of planets, and Earth is next on the menu (though his ETA is neither given nor requested, oddly). Naturally, everyone looks to the FF to deal with this threat. But despite their powers, the heroes soon discover that is not going to be easy. Galactus offers a bargain: he will spare Earth in exchange for Sue's unborn child. Reed and Sue are understandably not too keen on the idea, but is the sacrifice necessary for the greater good? Or can they find another way to defeat Galactus before he gobbles everything up? The film is unpretentious and straightforward, some might think a little too much so, but it works. The story keeps moving along and the characters are well played and their interactions feel genuine. They're very much to the fore throughout. The film's bright colours and impressive production design are immersive, creating a world both retro and futuristic. This simplicity might not be enough for some and it's possible to nitpick. There are few side characters and those that are around get little to do. But complaining about that kind of thing is really beside the point given the way the writers and director Matt Shakman (creator of WandaVision) have made the film. Just go with it and enjoy. There's a mid-credits scene and a scene at the very end and the promise that the Fantastic Four will return. I'm looking forward to it. The Fantastic Four: First Steps (PG, 115 minutes) 4 stars I'd have thought The Fantastic Four to be a fairly straightforward Marvel Comics to adapt effectively for the screen. It's got an interesting origin story and four solid main characters, each with individual qualities and powers, with which to work. But up to now, the cinematic adaptations have been surprisingly lacklustre, with box office returns ranging from bad to mediocre, and little acclaim or lasting affection for any of them. They had their enjoyable elements but lacked that certain something. Filmmakers kept trying, though, and this version is easily the best so far. And that's not damning with faint praise: it's a lot of fun. The Fantastic Four: First Steps takes on place on Earth-828, a reality in which the title characters seem to be the only known superheroes. The setting combines high tech with a distinctive 1960s look and feel - a nod to the period in which the characters first appeared (1961). Two trivia notes: 828 is the date of original artist Jack Kirby's birthday, and there are cameos by the stars of the first Fantastic Four movie from the 1990s, made on a very low budget and only it's been said, solely so the man who held the movie rights could retain them. It never got an official release so it's nice those actors, who made the movie in good faith, finally get an acknowledgment. The characters' origin story is cleverly and economically retold in a celebratory TV broadcast early in the film. Four astronauts returned from space physically changed by a cosmic ray shower, each in a different way, and become superheroes. Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal) became the stretchy Mister Fantastic (curiously, his power is seen the least), his wife Sue Storm (c) is now the self-explanatory Invisible Woman (who also does powerful things with force fields), and her younger brother Johnny (Joseph Quinn) can transform himself into the fiery Human Torch. Reed's best friend Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) underwent the most extreme transformation, permanently becoming the superstrong, rock-skinned Thing. Four years later the FF, who live together, are universally renowned as a force for good by a grateful, and seemingly much improved, world. They have as a helper a cutesy robot named HERBIE (Humanoid Experimental Robot B-Type Integrated Electronics, voiced by Matthew Wood) whose burbles began to grate: couldn't they have programmed him to have a proper speaking voice? Everything seems to be going well, professionally and personally. Sue finds out she is pregnant, after she and Reed have spent a long time trying, and so the anxiety and anticipation of impending parenthood is thrown into the usual bantering and bickering in which happy families engage. It can't last, of course. The enigmatic Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) comes to address the world with some bad news. A massive, ravenous space being named Galactus (Ralph Ineson) is on his way. His diet is the life force of planets, and Earth is next on the menu (though his ETA is neither given nor requested, oddly). Naturally, everyone looks to the FF to deal with this threat. But despite their powers, the heroes soon discover that is not going to be easy. Galactus offers a bargain: he will spare Earth in exchange for Sue's unborn child. Reed and Sue are understandably not too keen on the idea, but is the sacrifice necessary for the greater good? Or can they find another way to defeat Galactus before he gobbles everything up? The film is unpretentious and straightforward, some might think a little too much so, but it works. The story keeps moving along and the characters are well played and their interactions feel genuine. They're very much to the fore throughout. The film's bright colours and impressive production design are immersive, creating a world both retro and futuristic. This simplicity might not be enough for some and it's possible to nitpick. There are few side characters and those that are around get little to do. But complaining about that kind of thing is really beside the point given the way the writers and director Matt Shakman (creator of WandaVision) have made the film. Just go with it and enjoy. There's a mid-credits scene and a scene at the very end and the promise that the Fantastic Four will return. I'm looking forward to it. The Fantastic Four: First Steps (PG, 115 minutes) 4 stars I'd have thought The Fantastic Four to be a fairly straightforward Marvel Comics to adapt effectively for the screen. It's got an interesting origin story and four solid main characters, each with individual qualities and powers, with which to work. But up to now, the cinematic adaptations have been surprisingly lacklustre, with box office returns ranging from bad to mediocre, and little acclaim or lasting affection for any of them. They had their enjoyable elements but lacked that certain something. Filmmakers kept trying, though, and this version is easily the best so far. And that's not damning with faint praise: it's a lot of fun. The Fantastic Four: First Steps takes on place on Earth-828, a reality in which the title characters seem to be the only known superheroes. The setting combines high tech with a distinctive 1960s look and feel - a nod to the period in which the characters first appeared (1961). Two trivia notes: 828 is the date of original artist Jack Kirby's birthday, and there are cameos by the stars of the first Fantastic Four movie from the 1990s, made on a very low budget and only it's been said, solely so the man who held the movie rights could retain them. It never got an official release so it's nice those actors, who made the movie in good faith, finally get an acknowledgment. The characters' origin story is cleverly and economically retold in a celebratory TV broadcast early in the film. Four astronauts returned from space physically changed by a cosmic ray shower, each in a different way, and become superheroes. Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal) became the stretchy Mister Fantastic (curiously, his power is seen the least), his wife Sue Storm (c) is now the self-explanatory Invisible Woman (who also does powerful things with force fields), and her younger brother Johnny (Joseph Quinn) can transform himself into the fiery Human Torch. Reed's best friend Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) underwent the most extreme transformation, permanently becoming the superstrong, rock-skinned Thing. Four years later the FF, who live together, are universally renowned as a force for good by a grateful, and seemingly much improved, world. They have as a helper a cutesy robot named HERBIE (Humanoid Experimental Robot B-Type Integrated Electronics, voiced by Matthew Wood) whose burbles began to grate: couldn't they have programmed him to have a proper speaking voice? Everything seems to be going well, professionally and personally. Sue finds out she is pregnant, after she and Reed have spent a long time trying, and so the anxiety and anticipation of impending parenthood is thrown into the usual bantering and bickering in which happy families engage. It can't last, of course. The enigmatic Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) comes to address the world with some bad news. A massive, ravenous space being named Galactus (Ralph Ineson) is on his way. His diet is the life force of planets, and Earth is next on the menu (though his ETA is neither given nor requested, oddly). Naturally, everyone looks to the FF to deal with this threat. But despite their powers, the heroes soon discover that is not going to be easy. Galactus offers a bargain: he will spare Earth in exchange for Sue's unborn child. Reed and Sue are understandably not too keen on the idea, but is the sacrifice necessary for the greater good? Or can they find another way to defeat Galactus before he gobbles everything up? The film is unpretentious and straightforward, some might think a little too much so, but it works. The story keeps moving along and the characters are well played and their interactions feel genuine. They're very much to the fore throughout. The film's bright colours and impressive production design are immersive, creating a world both retro and futuristic. This simplicity might not be enough for some and it's possible to nitpick. There are few side characters and those that are around get little to do. But complaining about that kind of thing is really beside the point given the way the writers and director Matt Shakman (creator of WandaVision) have made the film. Just go with it and enjoy. There's a mid-credits scene and a scene at the very end and the promise that the Fantastic Four will return. I'm looking forward to it. The Fantastic Four: First Steps (PG, 115 minutes) 4 stars I'd have thought The Fantastic Four to be a fairly straightforward Marvel Comics to adapt effectively for the screen. It's got an interesting origin story and four solid main characters, each with individual qualities and powers, with which to work. But up to now, the cinematic adaptations have been surprisingly lacklustre, with box office returns ranging from bad to mediocre, and little acclaim or lasting affection for any of them. They had their enjoyable elements but lacked that certain something. Filmmakers kept trying, though, and this version is easily the best so far. And that's not damning with faint praise: it's a lot of fun. The Fantastic Four: First Steps takes on place on Earth-828, a reality in which the title characters seem to be the only known superheroes. The setting combines high tech with a distinctive 1960s look and feel - a nod to the period in which the characters first appeared (1961). Two trivia notes: 828 is the date of original artist Jack Kirby's birthday, and there are cameos by the stars of the first Fantastic Four movie from the 1990s, made on a very low budget and only it's been said, solely so the man who held the movie rights could retain them. It never got an official release so it's nice those actors, who made the movie in good faith, finally get an acknowledgment. The characters' origin story is cleverly and economically retold in a celebratory TV broadcast early in the film. Four astronauts returned from space physically changed by a cosmic ray shower, each in a different way, and become superheroes. Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal) became the stretchy Mister Fantastic (curiously, his power is seen the least), his wife Sue Storm (c) is now the self-explanatory Invisible Woman (who also does powerful things with force fields), and her younger brother Johnny (Joseph Quinn) can transform himself into the fiery Human Torch. Reed's best friend Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) underwent the most extreme transformation, permanently becoming the superstrong, rock-skinned Thing. Four years later the FF, who live together, are universally renowned as a force for good by a grateful, and seemingly much improved, world. They have as a helper a cutesy robot named HERBIE (Humanoid Experimental Robot B-Type Integrated Electronics, voiced by Matthew Wood) whose burbles began to grate: couldn't they have programmed him to have a proper speaking voice? Everything seems to be going well, professionally and personally. Sue finds out she is pregnant, after she and Reed have spent a long time trying, and so the anxiety and anticipation of impending parenthood is thrown into the usual bantering and bickering in which happy families engage. It can't last, of course. The enigmatic Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) comes to address the world with some bad news. A massive, ravenous space being named Galactus (Ralph Ineson) is on his way. His diet is the life force of planets, and Earth is next on the menu (though his ETA is neither given nor requested, oddly). Naturally, everyone looks to the FF to deal with this threat. But despite their powers, the heroes soon discover that is not going to be easy. Galactus offers a bargain: he will spare Earth in exchange for Sue's unborn child. Reed and Sue are understandably not too keen on the idea, but is the sacrifice necessary for the greater good? Or can they find another way to defeat Galactus before he gobbles everything up? The film is unpretentious and straightforward, some might think a little too much so, but it works. The story keeps moving along and the characters are well played and their interactions feel genuine. They're very much to the fore throughout. The film's bright colours and impressive production design are immersive, creating a world both retro and futuristic. This simplicity might not be enough for some and it's possible to nitpick. There are few side characters and those that are around get little to do. But complaining about that kind of thing is really beside the point given the way the writers and director Matt Shakman (creator of WandaVision) have made the film. Just go with it and enjoy. There's a mid-credits scene and a scene at the very end and the promise that the Fantastic Four will return. I'm looking forward to it.
Gizmodo
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
Eat Popcorn Out of Galactus' Big Ol' Head at AMC Theaters
Soon, you can buy Galactus' giant noggin overflowing with popcorn. Coming in at 17.5 inches tall and 20 inches wide, that's a lot of handfuls to get you through all of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, the credits, and of course—any post-credit scenes in this summer's Marvel Studios release. Check out the teaser for the popcorn bucket! Fair warning for those of you looking to go in blind to the movie, there are some minor sizzle clips of footage from The Fantastic Four: First Steps. I'm excited for this giant 'vessel'—though it's a missed opportunity to feature Galactus holding a cracked-open planet—especially since I've been on the hunt for one big enough to be a cool-looking recycling bin for my car. Hey, it's practical and about time to retire my Ghostbusters ghost (trash) trap. Additionally AMC Theaters will also be featuring another mega snack container in the form of HERBIE. The unofficial member of the Fantastic Four family can join yours as not only a popcorn receptacle, but also a candy holder with a sippy drink head. The ambitious 3-in-1 robotic snackage companion looks really cute but we don't want to ruin the build with soda syrup; it kinda seems like a bad idea to just let gunk seep into the cracks. Maybe it should have just had a cup holder molded into the back of the head. Take a look at the two exciting popcorn bucket upgrades and the rest of AMC's line up which includes character cups and popcorn tins. The Fantastic Four: First Steps opens in theaters July 25.
Geek Culture
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Culture
Star Wars' Matthew Wood Voices Robot H.E.R.B.I.E. In ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps'
H.E.R.B.I.E. is finally getting his moment in the spotlight, and Star Wars fans will likely recognise the voice bringing him to life. Marvel Studios has confirmed that Matthew Wood, best known for voicing General Grievous across various Star Wars projects, will lend his voice to the lovable robot in The Fantastic Four: First Steps . According to director Matt Shakman, production made use of a wooden puppet and a functioning animatronic version of the character to give the cast something real to interact with. Shakman emphasised H.E.R.B.I.E.'s importance to the story, describing him as Reed Richards' 'right hand' and a regular fixture at the family dinner table. His words suggest a role that goes far beyond background comic relief. One moment teased in promotional images even shows H.E.R.B.I.E. assembling a baby crib, hinting at the robot's emotional investment in the team's domestic life as well. Wood's casting comes after months of speculation. Rumours initially suggested Natasha Lyonne might voice the character, but those whispers were put to rest with Empire Magazine's coverage of the film. Lyonne is still in the mix, though her role in The Fantastic Four: First Steps remains under wraps, following her appearance as Byrdie in What If…? Season 3. Joining Pedro Pascal's Reed Richards and Vanessa Kirby's Sue Storm, H.E.R.B.I.E. becomes part of a new take on the iconic team. Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Joseph Quinn round out the quartet as Ben Grimm and Johnny Storm. The cast also includes Julia Garner as the Silver Surfer, Ralph Ineson as Galactus, and supporting roles for Paul Walter Hauser, Sarah Niles, and John Malkovich. Matthew Wood H.E.R.B.I.E.'s inclusion ties back to classic Fantastic Four lore, originally created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1978 as a child-friendly alternative when the Human Torch was unavailable for animation rights. This new film appears to embrace that legacy while giving H.E.R.B.I.E. more agency and emotional nuance than before. Plot specifics remain guarded, but with Galactus and Shalla-Bal set as the primary antagonists, and growing theories that the team may be multiverse refugees from a destroyed dimension, there's potential for real stakes. Whatever the outcome, H.E.R.B.I.E.'s role in The Fantastic Four: First Steps looks to be both charming and surprisingly emotional, ensuring his place as more than just a mechanical sidekick. The Fantastic Four: First Steps opens in cinemas on 25 July 2025. Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, and anime — you name it. When she's not reading or being a dedicated cinephile, she's probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of Caleb from Love and Deepspace .
