Marvel just dropped a Fantastic Four: First Steps teaser that's less “flame on” and more “family drama on.” The clip—a deceptively simple dinner scene—hides a bombshell: Sue Storm's pregnancy, subtly teased through loaded dialogue and a retro-futuristic aesthetic straight out of a Mad Men episode with superpowers.
The Hidden Clues in 47 Seconds of Footage
Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn) snaps at Sue (Vanessa Kirby) and Reed (Pedro Pascal): “You're late.” Sue's reply—“Yes, we are”—is delivered with a smirk that screams secret. And Marvel confirmed it at CinemaCon: Sue's expecting Franklin Richards, the reality-warping powerhouse from the comics.
The scene's genius is in its details:
- The Kirby Nod: Johnny's cereal box features Jack Kirby's Fantastic Four #3 Torch art—Marvel's wink to comic purists.
- Retro-Futurism: The 1960s aesthetic isn't just style; it mirrors the team's 1961 comic debut. Director Matt Shakman (WandaVision) leans into era-specific family dynamics, à la The Incredibles but with more NASA chic.
Johnny Storm 2.0: Less Jerk, More Heart
Gone is the hotheaded playboy. Quinn's Johnny is “really smart” (Shakman's words) and bristles with sibling rivalry, not arrogance. As Entertainment Weekly notes, this version has “self-awareness”—like if Top Gun's Maverick finally went to therapy.
Why This Matters
Marvel's threading a needle: reintroducing the FF as both nostalgic icons (that Kirby art) and fresh faces (Pascal's dad-energy Reed). The pregnancy twist also sets up Franklin for future Avengers crossovers—smart, given his comic-book god-tier powers.
This clip isn't just fluff—it's a masterclass in subtext. And if you think Sue's “we're late” is just about dinner, check your pulse.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps ignites theaters July 25, 2025.
