Marvel’s ‘Fantastic Four’ debuts in PH cinemas

Metro Manila, Philippines - The long-awaited reboot, “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” officially opens in cinemas today, July 23, marking the long-anticipated debut of Marvel’s first family in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

The film introduces audiences to Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm - four astronauts whose lives are transformed after a space mission exposes them to cosmic radiation. The exposure gives them superhuman powers, but also tests the strength of their bonds as a family.

Set in a vividly imagined, 1960s-inspired retro-futuristic world, “First Steps” reimagines the origins of the iconic team while staying faithful to the spirit of the original 1961 comics created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.

“They’re people first. They’re Super Heroes only when they have to be,” director Matt Shakman said in a press interview. “That’s what I love about them. They struggle with problems the way that we do.”

The cast is led by Pedro Pascal as the elastic genius Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as the powerful but emotionally grounded Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as the impulsive Johnny Storm/Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as the strong but soft-hearted Ben Grimm/The Thing.

In “First Steps,” the team must learn to function not just as a unit of heroes, but as a family, while facing one of the most dangerous threats in the Marvel Universe: Galactus, the Devourer of Worlds, played by Ralph Ineson, and his Herald, the Silver Surfer, portrayed by Julia Garner.

The film blends high-concept cosmic stakes with grounded emotional storytelling. Early reactions from international critics have praised the film’s strong performances and nostalgic yet fresh visual style, while noting its focus on character development rather than just spectacle.

Fantasticar on display in Manila

In the lead-up to the film’s release, Marvel fans have been flocking to SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City, where the Fantasticar, the team’s iconic vehicle, is on display as part of a promotional exhibit.

The Fantasticar - known for its retro-futurist design - is one of the franchise’s most recognizable elements and a nod to the comic book roots of the team.

“The Fantastic Four: First Steps” is expected to play a major role in shaping the next phase of the MCU, with characters and storylines likely to intersect with existing Marvel heroes in future films.