A New Era for the Fantastic Four
Vanessa Kirby has shared her excitement about playing a pregnant superhero in Marvel’s upcoming film, The Fantastic Four: First Steps. The 37-year-old actress, who is currently expecting her first child, portrays Sue Storm, also known as The Invisible Woman, in this retro-futuristic reboot of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Set in a 1960s-inspired world, the film brings back the iconic team of superheroes to defend Earth from cosmic threats.
The movie follows the origin story of the First Family, who are transformed after an experimental space flight exposes them to cosmic rays. This event grants them extraordinary powers and changes their lives forever. At the heart of the story is the family dynamic, particularly between Sue and Reed Richards, who are preparing to welcome their first child together.
Kirby, who won a Bafta for her role as Princess Margaret in The Crown, found it “revolutionary” to be part of a narrative that centers on a mother who is also a superhero. She described the experience as surreal, noting that she was deeply involved in the process despite her pregnancy. “It was very daunting,” she said. “I really cared, and it’s been a great honour to play her.”
She emphasized the unique blend of ordinary life and extraordinary adventures in the film. “This was such a combination of domesticity where Reed was smelling Sue’s socks, or Sue was brushing her teeth and then we’d be in the intergalactic, epic cosmos,” she explained. “That, in a way, was the experience we had.”
A Deep Emotional Journey
Pedro Pascal, who plays Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, praised the director, Matt Shakman, for helping him navigate the emotional journey of his character. As a father, Reed struggles with the balance between protecting his family and being present for them. “The only way he knows how to handle that is by trying to baby-proof the world rather than be present for the experience,” Pascal said. He added that Shakman guided him through this, especially since he is not a father himself.
Pascal highlighted the complexity of his character, noting that while Reed is brilliant in solving scientific problems, he finds relationships, family, and love more challenging. “My favourite thing about it was that this person, so brilliant, so at ease solving the most complex scientific equations, still struggles to grasp the far more complicated equations of relationships, family and love,” he said.
A Personal Touch
Shakman, known for directing WandaVision, described The Fantastic Four as a deeply personal film for him. “It’s about parenthood and marriage, it’s about all these things so many of us relate to,” he said. “Because we all come from families and that’s what the Fantastic Four is.” He encouraged even non-Marvel fans to watch the film, emphasizing that no prior knowledge of the franchise is needed. “You don’t need to have seen any other Marvel movies to come see this movie,” he added. “They’re the only superheroes in this world. There are no Easter eggs to other Marvel movies.”
A Legacy Reimagined
The Fantastic Four have appeared in various films over the years. A previous version came out in 1994, followed by a reboot in 2005 starring Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, and Michael Chiklis. They returned in 2007 for Fantastic Four: Rise Of The Silver Surfer, which introduced them to other superpowered beings in the universe. In 2015, Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael B Jordan, and Jamie Bell starred in another adaptation, while animated TV series based on the comics have continued to air throughout the years.
Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps will open in UK cinemas on July 24. With its focus on family, love, and the challenges of parenthood, the film promises to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most beloved superhero teams.
