Pedro Pascal Stars in Marvel’s “Fantastic Four” 2025: Release Date, Cast, and Everything You Need to Know!

With “Captain America: Brave New World” and “Thunderbolts” (as some now call it) already released, the focus shifts to the third and significant Marvel release of 2025: The Fantastic Four. Marvel regained the rights to this franchise (along with the X-Men) when Disney acquired Fox in 2019. Including the rushed and low-budget 1994 film produced by Roger Corman to retain rights—never released theatrically—this will be the fourth cinematic rendition of the quartet, symbolically significant. With just over two months until their debut, teased by the post-credits scene of Jake Schreier’s film released on April 30 this year, it’s time to delve into the details of this project.

Release Date: When and Where Can You Watch The Fantastic Four?

“The Fantastic Four: First Steps” is the full title of the film set to premiere on July 23 in French cinemas, two days prior to its US release. The once looming threat by Disney in late 2022, to directly stream “Black Panther 2” in France if media chronology laws weren’t amended, seems distant now. This pressure tactic has not been repeated since Disney films can now stream nine months post-theatrical release in France. Circle April 23, 2026, on your calendar to stream the movie from your living room or catch it in cinemas in a little over two months.

Casting: Who are the Stars of The Fantastic Four?

Reflecting the high stakes of the film in a somewhat stagnant phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the casting of The Fantastic Four was rife with speculation. Over time, concrete names began to emerge, with Pedro Pascal, omnipresent and a natural team leader, confirmed first as Reed ‘Mr. Fantastic’ Richards.

Vanessa Kirby, known from “The Crown” and the “Mission: Impossible” series, will portray his wife Sue Storm, or the Invisible Woman. Joseph Quinn, breakout star of “Stranger Things” Season 4, will play her brother Johnny Storm, the fiery Human Torch, reuniting with Pascal after “Gladiator II”. Ebon Moss-Bachrach moves from the kitchen in “The Bear” to embody The Thing, real name Ben Grimm, through the magic of performance capture technology.

Ebon, previously seen in “Iron Fist”, underscores that Netflix’s Marvel shows align with the MCU only when convenient (like bringing back Charlie Cox as Daredevil and Jon Bernthal as Punisher). However, his casting only heightens the anticipation for a project where Ralph Ineson (“Game of Thrones”) lends his gravelly voice to the villain Galactus, the “World Eater”, with Julia Garner playing his herald.

Thus, the Silver Surfer returns to cinema 18 years after the 2007 film, inspired by comic books featuring Shalla-Bal, lover of Norrin Radd, the most famous Surfer among fans. Paul Walter Hauser (“Richard Jewell”), Natasha Lyonne (“Orange is the New Black”), and John Malkovich join in undisclosed roles, with the possibility of Robert Downey Jr.’s involvement shrouded in mystery.

“Doom is a Great Character, But He Dominates the Scene”

Unless there’s a surprise, this will likely be the last film before “Avengers: Doomsday”, where Dr. Doom (or Doom in English) should have debuted alongside The Fantastic Four, to whom he is historically linked in the comics. However, he was absent from the first trailer, and director Matt Shakman has stated not to count on his presence: “Doom is a great character, but he dominates the scene,” he told Entertainment Weekly.

“Previous adaptations were all origin stories with Doom, but we won’t have either, allowing us a fresh approach to the heroes.” This could be a misdirection or play on words (Robert Downey Jr. might not be IN the film, but in its post-credits scene), and clarity will only come with the film’s release.

The Plot: What is The Fantastic Four About?

“The Fantastic Four: First Steps immerses us in a retro-futuristic universe inspired by the 1960s, featuring Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic), Sue Storm (the Invisible Woman), Johnny Storm (the Human Torch), and Ben Grimm (the Thing)”, states the official synopsis. “Facing a colossal threat: the cosmic entity Galactus and his enigmatic right-hand, the Silver Surfer, whose ambition is nothing less than to devour the entire Earth and its inhabitants. And as if that were not enough, things suddenly take a very personal turn…”

Not surprisingly, based on what’s been revealed so far, except for the “very personal turn” hinted at in the synopsis, likely revolving around Sue’s pregnancy revealed in the second trailer. Similar to how “Spider-Man: Homecoming” had a dual meaning, the “First Steps” in the title refers both to the Fantastic Four’s debut in the MCU and Franklin Richards in their world.

And we emphasize “their”. To justify their absence during the threats of Loki and Thanos without retreading an origin story, thanks to the “multiverse” card, The Fantastic Four unfolds in an alternate universe. “What if, instead of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin going to the moon, it was Reed, Sue, Johnny, and Ben who were the first in space, the first to push those boundaries?”, Matt Shakman elaborates about this retro-futuristic world reminiscent of the 60s when the characters were created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.

Following “WandaVision”, which paid tribute to classic American sitcoms, Shakman once again looks to the past. But for how long? If the heroes are to be involved in Doomsday, it’s likely in the Avengers’ world we know, old and new, and they must therefore leave theirs, as clearly indicated by the post-credits scene of “Thunderbolts*”.

How? And why? The most likely scenario involves a Galactus devouring their world, but we mustn’t overlook various incursions, contractions in the multiverse’s temporal flux, which threaten certain branches (discussed in “Doctor Strange 2” and “Loki”) and could impact Reed, Sue, Johnny, and Ben. With its intriguing elements and Michael Giacchino’s thematic score featuring choirs, The Fantastic Four remains shrouded in mystery, heightening our anticipation to discover the outcome.