Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps will reinvigorate the MCU, as confirmed by actor Paul Walter Hauser. He thinks the film will be “the Marvel movie of the year” and “the one to watch.”
Speaking to The Direct while promoting his upcoming film The Luckiest Man in America, Paul Walter Hauser spoke about his involvement in The Fantastic Four: First Steps and said the film will bring back the MCU. Hauser predicts that the film will “go down in history” as a turning point for Marvel, much like Guardians of the Galaxy and Black Panther did when they reshaped expectations for superhero films.
According to Hauser, Marvel Studios has had its ups and downs, while no filmmaker or studio gets it right 100% of the time. His honest opinion recognizes fans’ frustrations while giving hope for a strong comeback.
Hauser said, “Let’s remember that Marvel is servicing a lot of folks, and they want to make a lot of entertainment for people to enjoy, and none of us are 100%. None of us hit the mark every time. Not a single one of us. Your favorite director has made a less than satisfactory movie. Just facts.”
He said that “everything [he] witnessed and took part in” made him believe it will be “the Marvel movie of the year” and “the one to watch.”
“So I think our movie, Fantastic Four: First Steps, in my opinion—based on everything I saw, experienced, and felt while working with the creative team—I believe we are the Marvel movie of the year. I believe we are the one to watch.”
It is reported that Hauser is playing the role of Mole Man, the Fantastic Four’s first villain.
According to an insider report, the second trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps will be released on April 4, 2025, with a runtime of 2 minutes and 40 seconds.
The film stars Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing, Walter Hauser, John Malkovich, Natasha Lyonne, and Sarah Niles.
Here’s the plot synopsis for The Fantastic Four: First Steps:
Set against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, The Fantastic Four: First Steps introduces Marvel’s First Family—Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Johnny Storm/Human Torch, and Ben Grimm/The Thing—as they face their most daunting challenge yet. Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, they must defend Earth from a ravenous space god named Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner). And if Galactus’ plan to devour the entire planet and everyone on it weren’t bad enough, things suddenly get very personal.
Filming wrapped in Spain in December 2024. Directed by Matt Shakman from a screenplay by Jeff Kaplan and Ian Springer, which has undergone a rewrite by Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber.
The film is produced by Feige, Grant Curtis, and Nick Pepin.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is scheduled to hit theaters and IMAX on July 25, 2025.
