The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Directed by Matt Shakman
Starring Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Joseph Quinn, Julia Garner, Ralph Ineson
Marvel Studios
Release date: July 25, 2025

Non-spoiler first thoughts (mostly written in the car on the way home from the movie theater) on The Fantastic Four: First Steps:

Marvel Studios churned out an enjoyable film that does justice to these classic characters, making them all likable and competent. I love the film’s retro-futuristic look (not a cell phone in sight) and color scheme. While this is the “first steps,” it’s not an origin story, with the groups’ superpowered circumstances summed up quickly at the start on the team’s anniversary. This allows the danger to present right away and the action to get going fast.

Marvel Studios’ Disney+ shows will be an extension of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, more so than what Marvel Television has been in the past. These shows will be directly connected to the MCU. Some might even lead into films, like WandaVision. The series will bring back Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff aka Scarlet Witch and Paul Bettany as Vision.

Based on what we’ve heard in the past, the series will have a ’50s vibe to it. At the time, it was unclear what that meant. However, while at the D23 Expo Kevin Feige and director Matt Shakman, as well as Olsen and Bettany, took to the stage to give attendees an idea of what to expect and share a few more surprises as well. Like the additions of Kat Dennings (Thor) and Randall Park (Ant-Man and the Wasp), both of whom will be reprising their respective roles as Darcy and Agent Jimmy Woo. More on the report below.

Heroes Reborn
Season 1 Episodes 1.1 & 1.2: “Brave New World” & “Odessa”
Directed by Matt Shakman (1) & Greg Beeman (1.2)
Written by Tim Kring (1.1) & Peter Elkoff (1.2)
Created by Tim Kring
Starring Jack Coleman, Zachary Levi, Robbie Kay, Sendhil Ramamurthy, Kiki Sukezane, Judith Shekoni, Danika Yarosh, Francesca Eastwood
NBC
Air Date: Thursday, September 24th, 2014, 10pm

Where are the Heroes? In hiding, playing vigilante, making plans, fighting back… they are on NBC on Thursday nights on Heroes Reborn, and I am glad. I was afraid that I was just so excited for this reboot, I would love it even if it was terrible, much as I would love LOST, should it ever return.

I should not have worried.