The Only Reed Richards Explainer You Need Before The Fantastic Four: First Steps

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In approximately two decades, the first live-action “Fantastic Four” film will be considered old when “Fantastic Four: First Steps” premieres in theaters. This was the initial opportunity for viewers to witness the Fantastic Four in person, with Ioan Gruffudd stepping into the role of elastic team leader Mr. Fantastic. Despite the movie coming across as an artifact from a bygone era — and it is — many fans appreciated Gruffudd’s portrayal of Reed Richards as both a brilliant scientist and occasionally clueless individual.

The Fantastic Four and its follow-up, Silver Surfer’s Rise, were generally well-received by fans but fell short of portraying the team as the brave explorers and heroic figures they are in the comics. Regrettably, the 2015 reboot didn’t fare so well, with Miles Teller’s portrayal of a younger, more complex Mr. Fantastic receiving negative reviews, much like the film itself. Fortunately, it seems that the upcoming Fantastic Four film within the MCU, “First Steps,” might be a fresh start.

Reed is the new (old) Mr. Incredible

A man who is a spouse, parent, and superhero with elastic abilities might lead younger viewers to believe that Mr. Fantastic and the Fantastic Four are simply imitations of Mr. Incredible from Pixar’s movie, “The Incredibles.” However, individuals older than 15 likely understand that the Pixar film was a tribute to Marvel’s original family, making it ironic that reviewers are labeling “Fantastic Four: First Steps” as a live-action adaptation of “The Incredibles.

Despite the impression that Reed Richards might resemble both Mr. and Mrs. Incredible, it’s essential to recognize that he is uniquely distinct in his own right. In the comic books, Richards stands tall among the Marvel Universe’s brightest minds, surpassing even greats like Tony Stark and Bruce Banner in intellect. This intellectual prowess seems to be emphasized in “First Steps,” where Reed appears less as a daring explorer than he does as a scientist and scholar. His acquisition of alien-like powers unwillingly propels him into the role of a reluctant superhero.

In “First Steps,” we’ll witness Reed transition from a husband to a father, from an adventurer to a hero, and from a scientist to a beacon of hope for humanity. Leading the sole team of heroes with the potential to thwart the cosmic devourer, Galactus, Reed will face challenging decisions. When Galactus threatens the life of his and Sue’s son, Franklin Richards, he must strike a delicate balance between saving the planet and protecting his child.

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2025-07-23 13:29