As The Fantastic Four: First Steps cast continues its global press tour, the spotlight turned to Los Angeles on Monday, where stars Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach walked the blue carpet to promote Marvel’s reimagined First Family.
Set in a stylishly retro-futuristic 1960s backdrop, the film follows Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Johnny Storm/Human Torch, and Ben Grimm/The Thing as they confront cosmic threats from Galactus and the Silver Surfer.
Joseph Quinn, who plays the fiery Human Torch, shared his enthusiasm about a potential Marvel crossover with Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, a team-up beloved by fans of the comics. Interestingly, Quinn once auditioned to play Spider-Man himself.
“That pairing makes sense to me, and I think he’s brilliant,” Quinn told The Hollywood Reporter. “I think we’d have a laugh. I’ve never met Tom, but his Peter Parker is the best one ever. I think he’s our best-ever Spider-Man. So why not? Let’s do it. Get it moving."
Vanessa Kirby, who portrays Sue Storm, reflected on how her real-life pregnancy paralleled her character’s arc, as First Steps explores Sue’s journey into motherhood while she’s simultaneously tasked with saving the world.
“It’s very surreal timing for me,” Kirby said. “What moved me most was that Sue isn’t sidelined. She’s pregnant, she gives birth, and she still faces this existential threat head-on. That makes her even stronger. It taught me so much about how powerful that experience is.”
Julia Garner, who makes her Marvel debut as the Silver Surfer, embraced the departure from her usual roles.
“They made me look a lot cooler than I actually am,” Garner quipped. “I’ve never done this kind of acting before, but it was so fun. I think it’s important as an actor to push yourself, try new things, and see what works, and I’d definitely do it again.”
Adding to the Marvel synergy, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II made a surprise appearance in character as Simon Williams from the upcoming Disney+ series Wonder Man, a playful nod to the studio’s interconnected universe.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps opens in theatres July 25.