The Fantastic Four: First Steps is officially a hit, and Marvel Studios will be breathing a big sigh of relief. Both Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts* underperformed at the box office, raising the perennial fear that the once-mighty MCU has lost its spark.
But, largely by setting First Steps in an alternate universe not ensnared in years of continuity, it’s a real breath of fresh air. Another huge part of that is the perfect casting, with Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach easily the best live-action rendition of Marvel’s first family to date.
