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The Fantastic Four - Stretching Through Time: The Evolution of the Fantastic Four on Screen

From Cosmic Rays to Cultural Icons: The Birth of Marvel’s First Family

We take a look back at previous iterations of the famous family before the release of The Fantastic Four: First Steps on 24 July.

In 1961, something new hit the comic book world, a team that bickered, bonded, and blasted into space together. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the Fantastic Four weren’t just superheroes… they were family. Literally.

Unlike the caped crusaders of the time, Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm brought emotional depth, science fiction storytelling, and personal conflict to the forefront. The series redefined what superhero comics could be, launching the Marvel Age of Comics and laying the foundation for the universe we now see in the MCU.

Their first villain was the classic Mole-Man, They fought planet-eaters like Galactus, traveled to the Negative Zone, and gave us unforgettable villains like Doctor Doom, arguably the greatest villain Marvel ever created!. But for all their influence in print, their live-action journey has been anything but smooth.

Let’s take a look at how Marvel’s First Family evolved—sometimes painfully—on screen.

1994: The Unseen Origin

The first Fantastic Four movie, made in 1994 by producer Roger Corman, is legendary for all the wrong reasons. With a near-zero budget, stiff acting, and effects that looked outdated even then, it was never officially released. The film was only created so the studio could retain the film rights—and was quietly shelved.

And yet… this unreleased film has a certain nostalgic charm. It tried (with limited means) to capture the family dynamic and optimism of the comics, even if the execution was laughable.

2005: Fantastic Four

Fast-forward to the mid-2000s, when 20th Century Fox gave the Fantastic Four the full blockbuster treatment. Directed by Tim Story, the 2005 film leaned heavily into light comedy and team dynamics.

This version starred:
Ioan Gruffudd as Mr. Fantastic - brought a stiff-but-sincere Reed Richards.
Jessica Alba as Invisible Woman - such a glamorous and reserved Sue Storm.
Michael Chiklis as The Thing - nailed Ben Grimm’s tortured soul under layers of orange rock.
Chris Evans as Human Torch (yes, before he was Captain America)- turned him into a Charismatic, arrogant scene-stealer.

It wasn’t deep or daring, but it introduced a new generation to the Four. The film played it safe, capturing some comic book callbacks but glossing over the team’s emotional and scientific core. Despite the mixed reviews, the film captured the FF’s family drama and gave younger audiences a crash course in Marvel’s First Family.

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)

The sequel aimed higher—introducing one of the most legendary characters from the comics: the Silver Surfer. Voiced by Laurence Fishburne and physically portrayed by Doug Jones, the Surfer brought a sense of cosmic mystery the series desperately needed.

The plot focused on Earth being threatened by Galactus, the planet-devouring force from the comics. Unfortunately, fans were let down when Galactus appeared as a giant space cloud instead of a towering humanoid figure, often attired in purple and blue armor, with a helmet featuring a distinctive crest missing the mark on one of Marvel’s most visually iconic villains.

Despite its flaws, Rise of the Silver Surfer tried to lean into the FF’s cosmic roots and pushed the boundaries of their cinematic world, something that would be left untouched for years to come.

Fant4stic (2015)

A decade later 2015. Fox tried again, this time aiming for a darker, grittier tone. Josh Trank’s 2015 reboot pulled from Ultimate Fantastic Four, a more modern reimagining of the characters, and leaned into science fiction horror.

The cast featured rising stars:
Miles Teller as Reed Richards
Kate Mara as Sue Storm
Michael B. Jordan as Johnny Storm
Jamie Bell as Ben Grimm

The tone was closer to body horror than comic book adventure. The transformations were painful, not heroic. And while the first act teased interesting ideas about science, power, and isolation, the rest collapsed under studio interference and heavy reshoots, which tore the film apart.

The final product felt disjointed, joyless, and rushed. Despite a talented cast and strong source material, the film never found its identity—caught between being a grounded sci-fi thriller and a superhero origin story. In trying to be different, it forgot to be fun.

2025 and Beyond: Enter the Marvel Cinematic Universe

With Disney’s acquisition of Fox, The Fantastic Four are finally coming home to Marvel Studios. Directed by Matt Shakman who previously directed the amazing marvel television series WandaVision, the MCU’s version The Fantastic Four: First Steps is released July 2025, starring the talented:

Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards
Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm
Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm
Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm

This is more than just another reboot, it’s a long-awaited chance for The Fantastic Four to live up to their comic book legacy. With the multiverse, Doctor Doom (Robert Downey Jr), and cosmic threats already in play, the stage is finally set for Marvel’s First Family to reclaim their place at the center of the universe.

Why It Matters: The Soul of Marvel’s Universe

The Fantastic Four aren’t just superheroes. They’re explorers, innovators, and family first. They deal with cosmic threats, but they also deal with each other, sometimes with love, sometimes with sarcasm. That emotional grounding is what has made their comics so enduring for over 60 years.

While their movie history is uneven, the themes of science, sacrifice, and family have remained. With the MCU now steering the ship, fans are hoping the next version captures not just the powers and comic book references, but the heart of the Fantastic Four.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is out Thursday 24 July, and promises to be a action-packed retro sci-fi blockbuster. Make sure you book your tickets today!

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Written by Dec Gibbons-Wardle - Team Member at The Light Stockport
15 July 2025

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