The Fantastic Four First Steps is 'best Marvel Studios film ever' as early reactions land

Early reactions from cinema goers have started to land for The Fantastic Four: First Steps ahead of its cinematic release.

The film features an A-list cast led by The Last of Us’ Pedro Pascal after his departure from the HBO series, The Crown star Vanessa Kirby, Stranger Things actor Joseph Quinn, and The Bear’s Ebon Moss-Bachrach.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set in a 1960s retro-futuristic alternate universe known as Earth-828, with the superheroes tasked with protecting their planet from the alien being Galactus and his herald, the Silver Surfer.

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Ahead of the movie’s release and the official reviews from the critics, some reactions have started surfacing on social media.

Many have shared their takes on The Fantastic Four: First Steps on X (formerly Twitter), with one person posting: “#FantasticFour Quite possibly the best Marvel Studios film ever released. Absolutely loaded with talent and standout performances from Vanessa Kirby and Joseph Quinn.

“If you thought the MCU died with Endgame, think again. Thoughtfully crafted and easily a genre-defining classic.”

A second commented: “#FantasticFour The MCU nailed it! The stake [sic] haven’t felt this high in a long time. All 4 members of the team play the roles exceptionally & share perfect chemistry. Galactus is a spectacle that MUST be seen in IMAX. Best balance of tone in an MCU film. I LOVED so much about this!”

A third noted: “#FantasticFour Is a masterpiece. the visual effects and the score are a HUGE stand out. Galactus Is huge In IMAX. It’s emotional and gives you hope. It beats you off and doesn’t stop. STAY Until the END CREDITS [sic].”

Someone else commented: “#FantasticFour is the most visually stunning and tonally distinct MCU movie yet. All 4 of the main cast members kill it, with Vanessa Kirby being the standout. Giacchino's score is an all timer. You will regret not watching this movie in the biggest theater possible [sic].”

Another commented: “Wow can’t believe #Marvel is back baby! #FantasticFour brings back that true marvel spirit comic fans and non comic fans miss from marvel movies.

“This might be the marvel movie since Endgame. Stellar cast used on the best script ever. I am thankful for Feige making this movie.”

The Fantastic Four: First Steps comes after the 2005 movie Fantastic Four and 2007’s Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, and 2015’s Fantastic Four reboot.

In an interview with Variety, director Matt Shakman revealed the unusual casting process for The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which involved no auditions or camera tests.

Instead, there were several individual conversations with the actors before they were hired.

“I believe in finding the people who I have an instinct are right for the part,” Shakman said.

The filmmaker and former child actor also admitted Pascal’s Reed Richards was the trickiest to cast, explaining: "He goes from being the nerdy scientist who’s locked away in the lab, to the husband and the father who’d do anything to protect his family, to the guy who’s leading the Avengers.

“I realized [sic] that the version we were building had to have all of those elements.”

Addressing the dynamic between the central quartet without any camera tests, Shakman simply said: “Great actors create great chemistry. You bring people together, and you build a process that supports the building of that chemistry.”

The Fantastic Four: First Steps hits cinemas on July 25