The Fantastic Four: First Stepsis just around the corner, and with it comes theMCU’s third attempt at suiting up Marvel’s First Family. The Fantastic Four are among Marvel’s most beloved superheroes, which puts pressure onThe Fantastic Four: First Stepsto stick the landing. This pressure is especially pronounced given past precedent, with Fox’s twoattempts at a Fantastic Four franchisefalling short of expectations among fans of the original IP. While 2015’sFantastic Fourstill suffers from derision, sentiments have warmed to its predecessors,Fantastic FourandFantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, with time.
After the MCU reacquired the rights to the Fantastic Four in 2019, it began easing into the franchise withDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and doubled down withDeadpool & Wolverine, which featured variants of Reed Richards and Johnny Storm, respectively.The Fantastic Four: First Stepswill be the franchise’s first proper foray into the IP, which will culminate withAvengers: Secret Warsin 2027. The release of twotrailers forThe Fantastic Four: First Stepsreveals that Marvel Studios is making a bold move with the costume designs, which might pay off in spades.
There are certain parameters that Fantastic Four adaptations should (and often do) stick to when faithfullycreating Fantastic Four costumesfor the silver screen. Blue in the color palette is a must, with the number 4 clearly displayed on the chest and subtle details to reflect the team’s unique power sets and personalities. Finally, the Fantastic Four are far from grounded, and their super-suits should reflect their distinctly cosmic roots. With that in mind, here’s how the MCU has fared with its Fantastic Four costumes so far.
3Chris Evans' Johnny Storm Fantastic Four Costume In Deadpool & Wolverine
Johnny Storm’s Costume Was Altered For A Post-Apocalyptic Setting
Chris Evans first portrayed Johnny Storm in 2005, three years before the MCU commenced withIron Manin 2008.His costume then was a particularly muted affair, continuing a trend in the superhero genre at the time that strove to make the inherently fanciful concept more accessible to casual moviegoers.Evans reprised his Johnny Storm role, after securing his legacy as the MCU’s Captain America, inDeadpool & Wolverine, with a costume that was largely faithful to the original movie.
Chris Evans agreed to return to the MCU inDeadpool & Wolverineon the proviso that he could film the tirade against Cassandra Nova in theDeadpool & Wolverinepost-credits scene.
This costume is simple but distinctly evocative of some of the Fantastic Four’s classic comic book costumes. Nevertheless, the Johnny Storm variant inDeadpool & Wolverinehas substituted the bottom half of the one-piece, skintight super-suit with a practical pair of cargo pants. While the post-apocalyptic spin on the costume is perfect for theDeadpool & Wolverineaesthetic, especially with the heavy fabrics concealing his identity at first,this costume is the greatest departure from the classic Fantastic Four style.
2John Krasinski’s Reed Richards Fantastic Four Costume In Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness
John Krasinski’s Mister Fantastic Costume Was A Typical MCU Take
John Krasinski was at the forefront offan-casts for Reed Richardsfor many years before he debuted as the character inDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. His cameo was largely well-received (save for his widely lambasted decision to explain Black Bolt’s powers to the Scarlet Witch), but brief, withPedro Pascal taking his place as another Reed Richardsvariant in whatever universeThe Fantastic Four: First Stepswill take place in. Still,Krasinski’s Richards was the first time fans witnessed the MCU’s take on the Fantastic Four.
His suit certainly reflected the MCU’s MO at that point. It is replete with seemingly practical design choices, including a textured leather-like fabric with plenty of black highlights.It is still vibrant enough and matches the more muted color schemes of some comic book designs, but there are certain details, like the black patches, that veer away from Richards' sleek and classic comic book design.
1The Fantastic Four: First Steps Cast Costumes
The New Fantastic Four Costume Designs Project An Optimistic New Era For The MCU
The Fantastic Four: First Stepsis set in the 1960s (in an alternate universe), the same decade in which the Fantastic Four were created. From the first trailers forThe Fantastic Four: First Steps, it was clearthe MCU is embracing that period’s aesthetic, with brightly colored, whimsical, comic book-inspired costumes. One year afterDeadpool & Wolverineleaned into Wolverine’s garish yellow spandex,The Fantastic Four: First Stepsis continuing the trend with its titular team.
While this is still a shock to the system for some, the costumes inThe Fantastic Four: First Stepsillustrate howMarvel Studios is embracing comic book tradition while taking a bold step in a new direction. The bright colors project the optimism that the Fantastic Four embody in their universe and contrast with the muted palettes of prior renditions of the Fantastic Four in the MCU. In an era where the MCU faces criticism for being too samey, this retrofuturistic style feels both fresh and comic-accurate, evoking the feeling ofa new era for the MCU.
