‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Director Matt Shakman Talks ‘Interstellar’ Influence and the Last-Minute Silver Surfer Addition

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In just under 30 years, no filmmaker had managed to do it until now, but Matt Shakman has successfully created the ultimate live-action version of Marvel’s original team – The Fantastic Four – with his movie, The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

The Fantastic Four movie has been not only highly acclaimed this summer, but it also broke the record for opening night box office revenue in 2025 with an impressive $24.4 million. This success is particularly advantageous for Marvel Studios as they navigate the unpredictable post-pandemic superhero genre. With director Shakman facing recent financial setbacks, there’s a strong desire to support him and his film.

I tried to maintain the original meaning while using more conversational language that’s easier to read.

Previously, Shakman spoke with THR about Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, expressing his appreciation for filmmakers Christopher Nolan and Stanley Kubrick. Given this, it’s no wonder that Fantastic Four evokes thoughts of Nolan’s Interstellar (2014) and Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968). Similarities between the two films can be found in Fantastic Four, particularly in its cinematography, but much like Interstellar, this movie is primarily a tale about the extraordinary measures parents undertake to ensure their children’s safety.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Shakman candidly admitted, “I proudly acknowledge borrowing from artists I deeply admire,” and he freely admitted that “Interstellar, 2001, and Apollo 13 were significant influences on my work.

The central relationship between a father and daughter in the movie Interstellar gave it its production name, Flora’s Letter, which was a nod to director Christopher Nolan’s real-life daughter who appeared in the film. On the other hand, the main conflict in Fantastic Four revolves around Reed Richards (played by Pedro Pascal) and Sue Storm’s (Vanessa Kirby) efforts to safeguard their unborn child, Franklin, from the fury of a cosmic entity named Galactus (Ralph Ineson). This struggle mirrors the challenges faced by director Shakman and his wife Maggie Malone during the birth of their daughter, Maisie. The 9-year-old girl also makes an appearance in the initial scenes of Fantastic Four.

Shakman expressed that his personal experiences as a husband and father greatly influenced his work, with the birth of his daughter being an incredibly memorable event. Consequently, the childbirth scene in the movie stirred emotions similar to those he felt on that special day. Moreover, Shakman mentioned that his daughter, Maisie Shakman, was excited about a brief appearance where she is rescued by Johnny Storm. On that particular day, he admitted feeling quite anxious, but Maisie proved to be incredibly composed and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

The storyline involving Shalla-Bal/Silver Surfer, portrayed by Julia Garner, also includes familial sacrifices. To illustrate this aspect more effectively, Shakman decided to capture extra footage around two months back, focusing on demonstrating the narrative rather than just describing it.

During the filming, Shakman expressed that he had a strong desire to witness the scene discussing her selfless act and the difficult choice she made between her family, her planet, and her own life. This scene resonates deeply with the movie’s broader themes and mirrors, unintentionally, the crisis and internal struggles of the Fantastic Four, making it an essential part of our production process.

In a recent chat with THR, Shakman delves into the shared traits between Sue Storm and Wanda Maximoff, along with the initial idea for the mid-credits sequence.

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Have two of the most hopeful superhero films ever produced been released only a fortnight apart, and they both largely avoid origin stories? Could it be that you and Superman director-screenwriter James Gunn have been drawing from the same water source for some time now? 

(Laughs.) Indeed! It’s fascinating how societal trends can spawn ideas, but no, I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting James Gunn in person. However, I am an ardent admirer of his work. Moreover, being a die-hard Superman fan, it’s incredibly exciting that both James Gunn and Superman are making appearances this month!

When you directed WandaVision, Marvel was using the same strategy for their TV shows as they do for their films. Now, they’re taking a more conventional approach. So, did you find it easy to move from working on TV to making movies?

It’s been truly rewarding working on the series “WandaVision.” Before taking on the Fantastic Four, it marked a pinnacle in my directing career. Both projects hold a special place for me. Working closely with Marvel has been an enlightening experience, revealing how tight-knit their team is. Despite its reputation as a large production company and creator of massive blockbusters, Marvel’s projects are primarily the labor of a small group of dedicated individuals putting in great effort. Directing six hours of WandaVision felt like tackling multiple challenges, while the Fantastic Four project, despite being a significant undertaking, was made more manageable by focusing on two hours of content instead of six.

When discussing the concept of “hysterical strength” in Sue and Wanda, did you consider their overlap? This trait, often demonstrated by a mother’s extraordinary ability to lift a car to save her child, appears to have inspired the creation of the Hulk by Jack Kirby from the Fantastic Four comics. Therefore, I am curious about your recognition of this shared characteristic between these two characters.

Among the two most powerful individuals I’m acquainted with are my spouse and daughter. Their resilience consistently motivates me, and it is evident in Sue and Wanda, so I strive to embody that same fortitude for them. These two women are exceptionally captivating characters within Marvel’s universe and comic books at large, and I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have contributed to the development of their narratives, first through “WandaVision” and now “Fantastic Four.” Both Wanda and Sue carry profound emotions, as well as exceptional emotional intelligence, and they each confront significant challenges, having endured numerous hardships. This film certainly puts Sue to the test. Working alongside Vanessa Kirby and Elizabeth Olsen, two exceptionally talented actresses, to bring these characters to life has been an unforgettable experience.

As a gamer, I’ve been hooked on “Materialists” and I can’t help but wonder if Pedro Pascal’s character views the self-improvement he chose as a blessing. On the other hand, Reed’s elasticity was thrust upon him – does he see it as a gift instead of a burden?

In the debut issue of Fantastic Four, written in 1961, Reed Richards conveys a sentiment similar to Uncle Ben’s wisdom given to Spider-Man: “With great power comes great responsibility.” From the onset, Kirby and Lee portray the team as choosing to use their newfound abilities for the betterment of humanity, which reflects their optimistic and civic-minded natures. While the other members view their powers as a blessing, it’s clear that Ben Grimm grapples with his identity, constantly questioning whether he is man or monster, and if he can maintain his humanity amidst his involuntary transformation. Unlike the others, Ben lacks control over his powers, making them more of a burden for him than they are for the rest of the team.

Were you able to convince Ebon to take on a role with a culinary background when you initially talked about the script? Was he open-minded about it?

It turns out that the culinary aspect wasn’t initially part of our discussions. Instead, it emerged naturally during the course of events, and having Ben as the chef who collaborated with Herbie in preparing dishes seemed fitting. This concept grew organically from the character of Ben Grimm, who may not be biologically related to any of them but serves as the bond that keeps this family united. Interestingly enough, much like Moss-Bachrach’s character on The Bear, Ben is also referred to as “Cousin,” yet he is not genetically linked to the central family in the story.

I have a strong affinity for August Wilson’s play “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone“, as there is a character named Bynum who serves as the glue that holds everyone together. In my perspective, the character Ben plays a similar role. He shows great concern for his community and cherishes Yancy Street where he was raised, frequently revisiting it. The film includes scenes involving him for a particular purpose. Additionally, Ben is deeply devoted to his family and exhibits an extraordinary level of kindness and compassion. His humor adds another layer to his charm, making him all the more endearing. What makes Ben exceptional is that despite his tough, rugged exterior, he harbors a tender, nurturing core. Ebon delivers a stellar performance in bringing Ben to life, demonstrating his comedic prowess as well as his dramatic talent. He masterfully embodies all aspects of Ben in one exceptional portrayal.

At Warfare’s press day, I inquired from Joseph Quinn if he recalled our encounter on the Game of Thrones “Spoils of War” set in 2016. His character was heavily armored, he had minimal scenes, and there were a multitude of people present during filming. This was prior to his Metallica coverage on Netflix. Given the circumstances, did you make an impression on him back then?

Absolutely, he did. Without a doubt. Joe is not only an exceptional actor but also a wonderful individual. We spent a couple of days together on “Game of Thrones”. Although it wasn’t much time, the experience remains quite vivid. I was immediately struck by his talent, and since then, I have been consistently impressed by his versatility. His performances in “Game of Thrones”, “Stranger Things”, “Warfare”, “Gladiator II” and this film are all so distinct. He is a truly transformative actor who breathes life into every role he plays. He has an extraordinary spark, making him unforgettable. As soon as I saw him, he was on my list for Johnny Storm.

The overall design of this film is incredibly impressive, particularly the production design by Kasra Farahani. Given that during the action scenes, there wasn’t much else to focus on, do you think it was the unique time period that allowed for such intricate and meticulous details in every aspect?

Absolutely, the additional time was indeed beneficial. It mirrored our situation with WandaVision as well, due to the pandemic. This extra time allowed us to delve into storyboarding, create concept art, and perform a good deal of design work. Even some preliminary VFX look development took place during this period. I must acknowledge the impact it had on our progress.

Kasra is remarkable. He’s an exceptional artist, a brilliant mind, and an excellent collaborator. We delved into Syd Mead, Oscar Niemeyer, Eero Saarinen, and the New York World’s Fair of the mid-’60s for inspiration. With these impressive reference points, along with Jack Kirby and comic books, we aimed to construct a world that seemed rooted in reality yet authentically ’60s. However, we added a futuristic layer to it, a touch reminiscent of Reed Richards, creating an era that felt like the ’60s as history remembers them, but with a hint of future advancements on top.

In another Earth and universe during the 1960s, Reed didn’t dwell among us, but he thrived there instead. He was a remarkable figure, much like Steve Jobs, J. Robert Oppenheimer, Albert Einstein, and Robert Moses all rolled into one. For over two or three decades, his impact on that city was profound, something our 1960s New York couldn’t match. This story is about unearthing the historical layers of this alternate world and uncovering the technological offshoots reminiscent of Reed Richards’ innovations in the setting of a familiar New York City.

When the spaceship is about to berth in deep space, isn’t it similar to the perspective from the movie “Interstellar” where the scene is filmed externally from the spacecraft? By any chance, was that film one of your inspirations?

I have a deep affection for the movie “Interstellar”, its director Christopher Nolan, and “2001: A Space Odyssey” by Stanley Kubrick. The scene where Excelsior docks reminds me of the Pan Am jet approaching the space station in “2001”. As T.S. Eliot once said, “Good artists borrow, great artists steal”, and I am not shy about drawing inspiration from those I admire greatly. So, “Interstellar” was heavily influenced by “2001” and “Apollo 13”, among other things. The documentary “Apollo 11”, made for the 50th anniversary in 2019, is another significant reference point for us. It’s truly remarkable and served as a great source of inspiration.

[Spoiler Alert] My question concerns the mid-credits scene. Was it intended from the start for the Russos to provide a follow-up later, or was there room for alternative scenarios at some point during development?

Indeed, it was never a secret that there would be an additional scene featuring Doctor Doom and we had various concepts for how this could play out. However, it was during the production of Avengers: Doomsday that we decided to film this extra scene. As the story of Doomsday began to take shape, it became clear what our ideal tag scene would be.

Did John Malkovich’s character, Red Ghost, appear in the Subterranea tale, the criminal underworld plotline, or the sequence at the beginning of the story?

In the initial scene, Malkovich played a role, serving as an introducer to the Fantastic Four, detailing their identities and abilities. However, there were numerous aspects we needed to present: a fresh universe, a new planet, a ’60s setting that combined retro and futuristic elements, four primary characters, two antagonists – Galactus and Silver Surfer. It was an overwhelming task, leaving us with the sense that we lacked the appropriate canvas to portray everything adequately. Unfortunately, Malkovich’s character did not appear in the final film, as he delivered a remarkable performance.

It seems like you’re suggesting that the flashback scene for Shalla-Bal, portrayed by Julia Garner, might have been included during the final production stages. Could this be due to audience feedback and an effort to intensify her internal struggle a bit further?

The concept of the Surfer’s awakening wasn’t fixed from the start; instead, it developed during the scriptwriting process and continued throughout post-production. It was during this phase that I felt a strong desire to visualize what we had discussed earlier – the idea of her dilemma, where she had to decide between her family, her planet, and her own life. This theme resonates deeply with the overall message of the movie and mirrors, unintentionally so, the Fantastic Four’s predicament and their internal struggles. Therefore, it seemed essential to include this element in the final product.

Are there any other Marvel projects that you’re excited about working on following this one, or are you focusing on the task at hand for now?

Without a doubt, I’m not jumping the gun here. I’ve been laboring diligently on this project for three years now, and it’s been an absolute joy to develop these characters. The Fantastic Four have long held a special place in my heart, ever since my childhood days. It’s a privilege to introduce them into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. At present, I’m solely concentrating on this project.

Have you managed to catch Agatha All Along yet, given your recent busy schedule? It’s worth noting that they filmed the final scenes on Blondie Street just before Warner Bros. Ranch got demolished.

I haven’t managed to watch [it yet], as I’m terribly behind. To be honest, I’ve barely watched anything in the past year, so there’s a lot I need to catch up on. However, hearing about Warner Bros. Ranch closing is heartbreaking. As a young actor, I spent my formative years working on the Warner Bros. Ranch set, where we filmed Just the Ten of Us for many seasons. During those years, when I was 10, 11, and 12, I’d skateboard down Blondie Street, creating memories that feel incredibly nostalgic and sentimental to me. In fact, one of my main motivations for wanting to film Wanda there was to immerse myself in all the rich sitcom history. So, it’s truly sad to learn about its closure; Warner Bros. Ranch really was a unique and special place.

When looking back on the production of Fantastic Four years from now, which day do you think would be the one that stands out in your memory?

The day my daughter starred in her movie scene is particularly memorable for me. This film centers around family themes, allowing me to infuse it with my personal experiences as both a spouse and parent. The birth of my daughter remains one of the most significant moments in my life – truly the highlight of my existence. Seeing this event portrayed in the movie stirs up all the emotions I felt on that day. When the opportunity arose for her to appear in a cameo role, where she is rescued by Johnny Storm, she was thrilled and jumped at the chance. On the day of filming, I was quite anxious, but my daughter handled it with such grace and enjoyed every moment. This experience will undoubtedly be the first thing that comes to mind when I reminisce.

In case your little girl shows an inclination towards acting, would you support or inspire her to pursue that career path?

As a gamer, I can relate this to choosing a virtual world or character to immerse myself in. While some players might dive headfirst into the competitive scene at a young age, I’ve learned to approach gaming (or any pursuit) with caution. It’s a complex journey, and I’m grateful for the guidance that helped me navigate it successfully.

For me, finding passion shouldn’t be forced or rushed; instead, it should stem from genuine enjoyment and curiosity. Unfortunately, many young gamers end up becoming professional players before they truly understand the commitment involved, and that’s not a path I want for anyone.

With this in mind, if my child decides to embark on an adventure in the gaming world or any other pursuit, I hope she chooses it herself. I want her to be aware of the challenges ahead and ensure that her love for the game drives her, not external pressures. After all, every gamer’s journey is unique, and it’s essential to embrace the organic growth and discovery along the way.

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The Fantastic Four: First Steps is now playing in movie theaters nationwide. 

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2025-07-26 01:56