How Stanley Kubrick’s Style is Inspiring The Fantastic Four: First Steps

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In a different wording, the film “Captain America: Brave New World” didn’t capitalize on the extraordinary box office success of “Deadpool & Wolverine” and received mixed reactions from fans. However, there are still plenty of reasons to be optimistic about future Marvel movies and the ongoing development of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The anticipation for “Thunderbolts” appears to be quite high, but beyond that, the upcoming release of “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” has fans buzzing with excitement. Moreover, the film’s director Matt Shakman recently shared some intriguing behind-the-scenes details about the movie, which has further fueled my anticipation.

Personally, I’ve been thrilled about the upcoming Fantastic Four, particularly after Kevin Feige likened its retro-future style to the legendary 1964 World’s Fair. The film seems set to offer a unique atmosphere unlike anything we’ve experienced within the Marvel Cinematic Universe thus far. Director Shakman has shared that he drew inspiration for filmmaking from the esteemed Stanley Kubrick, who is renowned for directing one of the greatest science fiction films ever made. Shakman stated…

To achieve a vintage aesthetic reminiscent of Stanley Kubrick’s work in 1965, we’ve incorporated some elements from that era, while also maintaining a balance. We used vintage lenses and adopted a filmmaking style that captures the essence of the past. However, we haven’t forgotten about modern technology, so there’s still a significant amount of computer-generated effects involved.

It’s undeniably amusing to contemplate someone discussing “how Stanley Kubrick might have created” a Marvel film. Given his work, it seems unlikely that he would have shown much enthusiasm for such projects. However, the idea itself doesn’t fail to excite me. If we were to imagine a movie set in the 1960s, just like a film produced during that era, it could certainly amplify the authenticity of the story’s period setting.

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Additionally, although there’s a significant amount of computer-generated imagery (CGI), as Shakman notes, it doesn’t encompass everything. There are numerous real-life sets, tangible props, and even a 14-foot tall model of the Reed spacecraft, reminiscent of the kind Stanley Kubrick employed in his classic film 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Indeed, the film Fantastic Four: First Steps doesn’t depict events from the 1960s as we know them. Instead, it unfolds in an alternate reality and, consequently, an altered portrayal of that decade. The design is reminiscent of a “retro-future,” creating a world that blends aspects of the past and the future. As Shakman puts it, the movie is quite grounded, with supernatural elements subtly integrated. He elaborated…

I strongly preferred to choose a realistic portrayal of space, free from concepts like wormholes. Therefore, the technology is more reminiscent of the past and future, incorporating booster rockets. Essentially, it’s a blend of the imaginative universe from Marvel and the historic Apollo 11 mission.

I’m really fond of the blend of retro and futuristic style that the Fantastic Four is using, to the point where I suggested they show up at Disneyland’s Tomorrowland instead of the Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure. This is because Tomorrowland has a ’60s-inspired retro-future atmosphere, making it a perfect fit for the Fantastic Four. Consequently, I can hardly wait to see Marvel’s original superhero team make their comeback on the big screen, and it seems like Disney has already caught onto this, as they are planning to add the Fantastic Four to Tomorrowland this summer! (Apparently, Disney knows what they’re doing.)

I’m wishing that in crafty fashion, Matt Shakman and his team will be able to create a superhero film with a retro vibe that would make Stanley Kubrick proud. You can catch The Fantastic Four: First Steps when it arrives in theaters on July 25 as part of the 2025 movie lineup.

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2025-04-10 04:07