Summary
The reveal thatThe Fantastic Four: First Stepswill include the Fantasticar finally realizes Howard Stark’s dream from 2011’sCaptain America: The First Avengerin theMCU. More was revealed aboutThe Fantastic Four: First Stepsat this year’sSan Diego Comic-Con, including a new title announcement and the showing of pre-viz footage. This provided a first look at Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as thecast of the Fantastic Four, but Kevin Feige and director Matt Shakman had another reveal up their sleeve.
The Fantastic Four: First Stepsis one ofMarvel Studios' most highly-anticipated upcoming movies. Reintroducing Marvel’s First Family into live-action is a tall task, butthe movie’s retro-futuristic style, alternate universe setting and reliance on the team’s family dynamic will work to produce the most faithful and entertaining Fantastic Fourdepiction for the MCU. SettingThe Fantastic Four: First Stepsin a version of the 1960smeans some of the titular team’s classic elements from Marvel Comics can be introduced, and that includes the Fantasticar.
The Fantastic Four’s New Movie Title Explained: First Steps Meaning
The newly announced title for the Fantastic Four movie holds a much deeper meaning that could point to the movie’s premise and role in the MCU.
The Fantasticar Will Appear In The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Not only did Matt Shakman, Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrach join Marvel boss Kevin Feige on stage at SDCC, but the audience in Hall H were also given a look at the Fantasticar.The Fantasticar was introduced in Marvel Comics as the primary mode of transportation for Marvel’s First Family in 1962’sFantastic Four #3. The goofy flying bathtub design of the classic Fantasticar was updated in 1963’sFantastic Four #12, but has been reconfigured again for theMCU’s live-actionThe Fantastic Four: First Steps.
The Fantasticar inThe Fantastic Four: First Steps, at least the one that flew over the crowd at SDCC, is much more reminiscent of an actual car. Decorated in the Fantastic Four’s trademark blue coloring, and lacking the wheels of a more traditional car, theMCU’s Fantasticar is reminiscent of an old Cadillac, described as being"straight out of The Jetsons.“This is different from the Fantasticar seen in 2007’sFantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surferor even in the Void inDeadpool & Wolverine, but could connect to the MCU’s own history instead.
The Fantasticar Shares Similarities To Howard Stark’s Flying Car From 1943’s Stark Expo
Since the MCU’s new version of the Fantasticar looks far more like an actual car than previous live-action depictions of the vehicle,it shares some similarities with another flying car seen way back in Phase 1. During 2011’sCaptain America: The First Avenger, Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes attend 1943’s World Exposition of Tomorrow, hosted by Howard Stark. During the event, Stark presented his prototype for a flying car. Versions of this vehicle were later seen inAgent CarterandAgents of SHIELD, but not in the MCU’s canon continuity.
Why Iron Man’s Father, Howard Stark, Was Recast In The MCU
Unlike other recasts, there is a good reason why Iron Man’s father, Howard Stark, was recast in the MCU following his first speaking role.
It’s very possible that Howard Stark’s prototype flying car was a success in the alternate universe ofThe Fantastic Four: First Steps, perhaps suggesting the Fantasticar may be one of Stark’s own designs. This would be a great way to pay off a 14-year-old storyline from theMCU’s firstCaptain Americamovie, connecting the new Fantastic Four team to the wider world of the MCU, while also explaining one of the team’s weirder toys from Marvel Comics. It’s even possible that Howard Stark himself could show up duringThe Fantastic Four: First Steps.
Howard Stark Could Appear In The Fantastic Four: First Steps
It’s unclear how similarThe Fantastic Four: First Steps’alternate universewill be to the MCU’s main timeline. However, it’s certainly possible that Howard Stark and Abraham Erskine still enhanced Steve Rogers into Captain America (or perhaps Peggy Carter into Captain Carter) during the 1940s. If this is the case,Howard Stark’s appearance in the Fantastic Four’s debut movie would make complete sense, as he would be up there as one of the world’s smartest individuals, alongside Reed Richards' Mister Fantastic.
In the MCU’s known history,Howard Stark was at the height of his career in the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s, so it’s possible this is also the case inThe Fantastic Four: First Steps. This creates the opportunity for Dominic Cooper to reprise his role fromCaptain America: The First Avenger, Agent CarterandWhat If…?,bringing his younger iteration of Howard Stark back after a de-aged John Slattery appeared as the character from 1970 inAvengers: Endgame. It would be great to seeHoward Stark and Reed Richardscross paths in the MCU’s Phase 6.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Cast
The Fantastic 4: First Steps features Marvel’s First Family navigating their dual roles as superheroes and family members in a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world. They defend Earth from a formidable space god, Galactus, and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer, testing their familial bonds and heroic resolve.
