A superhero film with lavish sets and dazzling special effects might not initially strike one as a politically charged work of art. However, in the fantastical realms of Marvel and DC Comics, and particularly in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, the art’s realpolitik often lies in the unsaid. This latest cinematic venture lands alongside an aspirational Superman, reminiscent of the “Barbenheimer” phenomenon, offering a subconscious antidote to the world’s current dark times.
Pedro Pascal, the Chilean-born Hollywood sensation, reflects on the influence of commercial entertainment and Hollywood narratives on his upbringing. “I feel raised by commercial entertainment and Hollywood stories, for better or worse,” he shares. “What I love is that [The Fantastic Four and Superman] provide a kind of adventure-in-storytelling that was able to imprint itself into my childhood experience growing up.”
Pascal stars as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, joining forces with Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn in this third cinematic iteration of one of Marvel’s most cherished comic book franchises. With the planet in peril, who better to call on than Mister Fantastic, Invisible Woman, the Thing, and the Human Torch?
Reimagining Classic Heroes
Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, The Fantastic Four stands out in comic book history. Unlike many superheroes burdened by dual identities, these characters are celebrated both as their real selves—Reed, Sue, Ben, and Johnny—and their superhero personas. The new film promises a fresh take, much like its 1960s comic book origins.
The film’s storytelling and the audience’s enthusiastic response to both its trailer and promotional tour underscore its unique appeal. “I’ve never experienced the level of care and love that’s [coming at us],” says Kirby. “People are really excited about seeing the movie, but also have a deep history with these characters.”
Exploring Humanity Through Superheroes
While The Fantastic Four: First Steps is a high-budget action blockbuster, it delves deeply into the emotional worlds of its protagonists. Kirby highlights the film’s exploration of human emotions and family dynamics. “The film actually looks at what it’s like to feel all the conflicting things that we feel as humans,” she explains. “We have good days. We have bad days. Sometimes we feel like we have a superpower. Sometimes we feel like we’re the very opposite.”
This nuanced approach sets the film apart, offering a reflection on identity and the human condition. “There’s something about coming to terms with difference in yourself and confronting that, that I think the film is really asking us to look at,” Kirby adds.
Crafting a Unique Cinematic World
Director Matt Shakman, alongside production designer Kasra Farahani and set decorator Jille Azis, crafted an alt-1960s world for the film at London’s Pinewood Studios. The mid-century aesthetic plays a crucial role in character development. “That informs the character-building in a big way,” Pascal notes. “There’s a lot of style that shapes the way things are played.”
The film’s physical sets, such as the recreated Times Square, enhance the actors’ performances by grounding them in a tangible world. “It just does all the work. Your imagination is activated in the way it was when we were children,” Pascal says.
A Labor of Love for Shakman
For Shakman, the project is a dream come true. “I’ve loved The Fantastic Four since I was a kid, so this is a dream job,” he says. The film balances the humanistic elements of the characters with their superhuman abilities, a trend in the superhero genre towards more authentic character notes.
“When you are trying to bring these larger-than-life characters who have such special power sets into the real world, you have to figure out how to ground them,” Shakman explains. “You want them to still be magical, but you need to understand how they work physically, so you need science.”
Shakman and his team conducted extensive research to make the characters’ abilities feel realistic. “We looked at all sorts of fire elements and playing around with ways to make that feel as real as possible,” he notes.
As The Fantastic Four: First Steps hits theaters, it promises not only thrilling action but also a poignant exploration of identity and humanity, offering audiences a beacon of hope in uncertain times.
