Until 2019’sAvengers: Endgame, it was tradition for comic giantStan Leeto makea cameo appearance in Marvel’s cinematic outings, from 20th Century Fox’sX-Menfilms toSam Raimi’sSpider-Mantrilogy and, of course, in countless MCU titles. However, his tragic death in 2018 put that delightful trend to an end, and nowhere will that absence be felt more than in the upcomingFantastic Four: First Steps. Lee co-created Marvel’s First Family in 1961, working as co-scripter and editor alongside legendary artist and co-plotterJack Kirby. With the Fantastic Four’s comic debut as the company’s first superhero team, the pair ushered Marvel into a new, prosperous era that would help shape the comic giant into what we know today. Even though they’re gone, though, producerGrant Curtisassures their presence will be felt in the family’s new big-screen adventure.
During a roundtable interview at a set visit attended by Collider’sEmma KielyfeaturingPedro PascalandVanessa Kirby, Curtis was asked about his biggest takeaways from producing the MCU’s long-awaited Fantastic Four film.First Stepstakesa lot of inspiration from the early comicsfrom Lee and Kirby, and evenembodies a retro-futuristic 60s aesthetic. The goal with everything, he says, was to embrace the past while still leaning into the distinct vision directorMatt Shakmanand writersJosh FriedmanandEric Pearsonhad for the First Family. His ultimate takeaway was how it was important to remain confident in telling a new story with an established world and characters while also reflecting what came before and linking to the lineage of such a storied comic so you’re not “swimming upstream against an IP.” He explained:
“The value of planting your flag and then feeding everything into that, because as we talked earlier, Matt Shakman, the 60s optimism, Kubrick and Kirby, and just embracing those aesthetics – all of a sudden, everything doesn’t fall in naturally around it, but all of a sudden those pieces come together more easily. That’s proper English, I don’t know. But it truly is having a director who says, ‘This is what I want to do,’ and saying, ‘Oh man, that really makes sense,’ and having that echo of what Stan and Jack were doing 60 years ago, which is also mirroring what Kevin Feige was wanting to see. That’s been the most interesting for lack of a better term for me. Just seeing howwhen that director is confident and also a reflection of what we’re trying to do in honoring the past artists and writersand, you know, links men and women and all the people who’ve written on this and drawn it so incredibly over the years. When he tries to just mirror that and not attempt to reinvent the wheel, everything falls into place a little bit easier. You’re not swimming upstream. And we’ve all seen the movies, which I won’t name. And I’m not even talking the previous Fantastic Four movies that try to swim upstream against an IP.”
‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Reflects the Themes of Kirby and Lee
In addition to unfolding in the past,First Stepsalso takes place in an alternate reality Earth, giving Reed Richards and his family more room to breathe in their own little corner of the MCU. While not an origin story, it will explore elements ofhow they became the world-famous superheroesand, most importantly, emphasize the dynamic between them. They’ll be tasked with saving Earth from the planet-devouring Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his herald Shalla-Bal, akathe Silver Surfer (Jennifer Garner), all while Reed and Sue prepare towelcome a new member of the family, much to Johnny Storm’s (Joseph Quinn) and Ben Grimm’s (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) excitement. The promise of a child on the way adds a more deeply personal layer to their fight to save everything as they look to secure a future for the next generation.
Curtis believes thatthe theme of familyis how the film best honors Kirby and Lee. What has made the Fantastic Four so compelling over the years is their status as a semi-dysfunctional, yet deeply caring group that genuinely loves each other andovercomes all obstacles together, even if theirrelationships are put to the test. Coupled with the aesthetic, he sees understanding the core of Kirby and Lee’s message as the best way to make it feel as if their spirits are present inFirst Steps:
“I do think it comes back to talking about, and I use the word Kirby instead of Lee, but I think they both apply proportionally, equally, because they both created this – at least I wasn’t there. But that’s what history at least tells us. I know there’s a variety of different takes on history. But it’s really, you know, if you go into some of our sets, and I think I wasn’t there when Kazra was showing you everything, but you have elements. I don’t think you may accurately give even the silhouette of Galactus without knowing Kirby right away. And I think, if you’re doing that, you’re also… yes, sadly or just realistically Stan Lee and Jack Kirby aren’t around anymore. And by default, Stan’s not around to be in this movie, butif you do represent the Kirby aesthetic, if you do represent family, I do think they’re in this movie, even though physically they’re not.”
The Fantastic Four: First Stepsarrives in theaters on July 25. Stay tuned here at Collider for more about the hotly anticipated superhero flick.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps
