Fantastic Four

Lore & Background

In the year 1964 on Earth-828, the world celebrates the fourth anniversary of the Fantastic Four's debut. Reed Richards has driven technological progress with his inventions, while Sue Storm's diplomacy through the Future Foundation has achieved global demilitarization and peace. The team operates as celebrities rather than secret agents. However, their status is tested when the Silver Surfer declares Earth marked for destruction by Galactus. Reed verifies this by studying vanished planets. When Galactus offers to spare Earth in exchange for Reed and Sue's unborn child, the family refuses. This decision sparks a massive public outcry, with citizens demanding Franklin be sacrificed. The lore deepens as Johnny Storm deciphers the Silver Surfer's language, learning she is Shalla-Bal, who became Galactus's herald only to save her home world of Zenn-La. As Galactus approaches, Sue regains public trust by promising not to sacrifice their child but also not to abandon humanity, leading a global effort to build teleportation bridges to move Earth to another solar system.

In Their Own Story

Months after the initial threat is declared, Reed and Sue reveal they are expecting a child. When Galactus arrives, he senses immense cosmic power in the unborn baby that could satisfy his hunger. He induces labor on Sue aboard his ship, but the team escapes using gravity from a neutron star to destroy their FTL system and delay the Silver Surfer. On the journey back to Earth, Sue gives birth to Franklin Richards. Upon returning, Reed's press conference admitting they saved one child over billions causes riots. Johnny decodes transmissions revealing Shalla-Bal's tragic history on Zenn-La. As Galactus draws near, Sue takes Franklin to meet protesters, explaining their refusal to sacrifice the baby while committing to saving everyone else. Using a teleportation system, Reed plans to move Earth entirely. When the Silver Surfer returns to destroy the bridges, Johnny confronts her in Times Square, revealing he knows her name and history. Shalla-Bal expresses remorse but initially flees. The team attempts to lure Galactus into the last bridge using Franklin as bait. After Harvey Elder helps evacuate New York to Subterranea, Galactus captures Franklin. Sue uses all her strength to push him toward the portal while Reed rescues the baby. Johnny tries to sacrifice himself for a final push but is stopped by Shalla-Bal, who pushes Galactus into the portal herself and closes it behind them. Sue dies from her exertion but is revived by Franklin's power.

Reader's Guide

The film features an ensemble cast led by Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards / Mister Fantastic, described by director Matt Shakman as "the most scientifically intelligent person" on the planet, combining traits of Steve Jobs, Albert Einstein, and Robert Moses. Pascal aimed for a "brilliance of an octopus" but used his natural voice instead of a Mid-Atlantic accent to meet studio requests. Vanessa Kirby plays Sue Storm / Invisible Woman, the founder of the Future Foundation who can generate force fields and turn invisible; she incorporated elements of the "Malice" persona from comics to avoid being a "stereotype of a goody, sweet mother." Ebon Moss-Bachrach portrays Ben Grimm / The Thing via motion capture and CGI rather than prosthetics, noting similarities between Grimm and his character Richie Jerimovich in *The Bear*. He plays a former astronaut whose skin is near-impenetrable orange rock. Joseph Quinn joins as Johnny Storm / Human Torch, Sue's younger brother. The villain Galactus is played by Ralph Ineson, with the Silver Surfer portrayed by Julia Garner.

Did You Know?

• The film is the highest-grossing Fantastic Four movie, having grossed $521.9 million worldwide.
• Ebon Moss-Bachrach used motion capture and CGI for The Thing, consulting with Mark Ruffalo about the process used for the Hulk.
• Director Matt Shakman consulted scientists and studied desert rocks to design the Thing's appearance, using a specific rock named 'Jennifer' as a lighting reference on set.
• The subtitle 'First Steps' was added in July 2024 when filming began at Pinewood Studios in England and locations in Spain.
• In a mid-credits scene set four years later, Franklin interacts with a man in a green cloak holding a metal mask.