The MCU is getting a cosmic shake-up—and it starts with four names you already know: Richards, Storm, Storm… and Grimm. Fantastic Four: First Steps lands in Ster-Kinekor cinemas on 25 July 2025, and it’s bringing the multiverse to heel one molecule at a time.
This isn’t just a reboot. It’s the beginning of something bigger—the kind of Marvel event that shifts the ground beneath your popcorn.
Before they were legends, they were explorers, scientists, misfits, and family. First Steps rewinds the clock and gives us the full origin treatment—but without the rinse-and-repeat. Expect high-tech space missions, jaw-dropping transformations, and the kind of team chemistry that makes you want to suit up.
There’s tension. There’s tragedy. There’s torch flames and elastic limbs and one very grumpy rock-solid brawler. And through it all, a sense that something massive is coming next.
Here’s a synopsis:
On a 1960s-inspired retro-futuristic parallel Earth, the Fantastic Four must protect their world from the planet-devouring cosmic being Galactus and his herald, the Silver Surfer.
Marvel Studios, now fully flexing its might under the Disney banner, is pulling out all the stops to make this the definitive take on the Fantastic Four. You’ll get dazzling effects, punchy dialogue, emotional stakes, and the kind of seamless MCU integration that has fans whispering: what does this mean for Doom? For Secret Wars?!
Whether you’re a die-hard Marvel fan or just love a good origin story, this one’s poised to deliver on every level.
Here’s a run-down on the cast:
Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards / Mister Fantastic
As the elastic genius Reed Richards, Pascal takes on the role of the smartest man on Earth—a visionary who can stretch his body to incredible lengths. Director Matt Shakman describes him as a fusion of Steve Jobs, Albert Einstein, and urban planner Robert Moses. Pascal says he was more intrigued by Reed's intellect than his powers, likening his character’s brilliance to “an octopus” in how he approaches problems.
Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm / Invisible Woman
Sue Storm isn’t just Reed’s wife and Johnny’s sister—she’s the emotionally intelligent heart of the team and the leader of the Future Foundation, a group that’s managed to bring about world peace. She can generate force fields and turn invisible, but Kirby wanted her portrayal to go beyond that. Drawing inspiration from comic arcs like “Malice,” Kirby adds complexity to Sue’s maternal and emotional layers.
Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm / The Thing
Ben Grimm, a former astronaut turned rock-skinned powerhouse, is Reed’s fiercely loyal best friend. Moss-Bachrach compares Grimm’s unshakable moral code to his character in The Bear, describing him as a fighter with a strong sense of family. He performs the role via motion capture and CGI, even consulting with Mark Ruffalo (Hulk) for tips on embodying a digital character. The team used desert rocks—including one affectionately nicknamed “Jennifer”—as real-world references for The Thing’s texture and presence.
Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm / Human Torch
Quinn ignites as the fiery Johnny Storm, Sue’s younger brother and the team’s most flamboyant member. While paying respect to Chris Evans’s earlier portrayal, Quinn reimagines Johnny for today’s audiences—less arrogant womaniser, more self-aware daredevil. He still brings the charm and bravado, but with an added layer of emotional depth and heroic intelligence.
John Malkovich
Details about Malkovich’s role remain under wraps, but his involvement promises intrigue and gravitas.
Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal / Silver Surfer
Garner takes on the role of Shalla-Bal, a sleek, metallic-skinned herald of Galactus. She plays the character using motion capture, blending elegance with alien mystique. Her movements were inspired by a mix of surfing and statue-like comic poses, bringing a poetic grace to this cosmic wanderer.
Paul Walter Hauser
Like Malkovich, Hauser's role hasn’t been revealed yet—but expect a standout performance.
Ralph Ineson as Galactus
Ineson looms large—literally—as Galactus, the colossal force of nature that consumes entire planets. Described as a 14-billion-year-old cosmic vampire, Galactus isn’t portrayed as evil but rather as a god-like entity doing what he was created to do. Ineson trained for the role by spending reflective time atop tall buildings. His look stays faithful to the comics, complete with striking purple-and-blue armor built specifically for the actor.
Matthew Wood as the voice of H.E.R.B.I.E.
The Fantastic Four’s trusty robotic assistant, H.E.R.B.I.E., provides comic relief and essential support. Voiced by Matthew Wood, the character is charming, slightly exasperated, and endlessly helpful—especially to Reed.
Mark Gatiss as Ted Gilbert
Gatiss plays the host of The Ted Gilbert Show, a fictional talk show that features in the film.
Natasha Lyonne
Lyonne joins the cast in a mysterious, undisclosed role—expect something offbeat and memorable.
Mole Man
The classic Fantastic Four villain is set to appear, though casting details are still under wraps.
This is the MCU’s next must-see. Not a suggestion—a calendar event. You’ll want to be front row, eyes wide, fully strapped in.
Find your closest Ster-Kinekor cinema and lock down your seat before the multiverse moves on without you.
The Phase is shifting. New heroes are rising. And the threads are starting to weave into something big.
We’ll be playing host to everything Marvel - you can count on that. Stay ahead of the curve check out what's coming soon at Ster-Kinekor and prep your watchlist accordingly.
Four heroes. One origin. Endless possibilities.
Fantastic Four: First Steps isn’t just an introduction—it’s a declaration. Marvel’s first family is here, and the universe will never be the same.
Catch it all—only on the big screen at Ster-Kinekor.
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