Mumbai, Jul 23 (PTI) The "Fantastic Four" may be superheroes, but at their heart, they’re a family, complete with all the emotional ups and downs. This essence is what filmmaker Matt Shakman aims to convey in Marvel Studios' "Fantastic Four: First Steps". Shakman noted that when comic legends Jack Kirby and Stan Lee introduced the team in the 1960s, it was a groundbreaking approach that made the characters hugely relatable and popular.
“Introducing a superhero team centered around a real family was revolutionary in the early '60s. Marvel was facing challenges as a comic book company until Kirby and Lee created the ‘Fantastic Four’. They became overnight sensations, resonating with audiences due to their relatability,” Shakman told PTI. “Their charm lies in being a real family with all that messiness, heart, and humor. Despite their spectacular powers, they also bicker, love, and joke like any family. That's part of their allure,” he added.
Shakman's film, which premieres globally this Friday, features Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, also known as Mr. Fantastic; Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm-Richards, the Invisible Woman; Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, the Human Torch; and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm, aka The Thing.
When Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige announced the new film at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2019, Shakman was intrigued by the casting choices and the director for the venture. At the time, he was helming "WandaVision", the series featuring MCU characters Wanda Maximoff and Vision.
“Before I took on this film, I was keen to know, ‘Who will they cast for these iconic roles?’ When they unveiled the movie at Comic-Con 2019, I was engrossed in 'WandaVision,' and during the announcement, Kevin said, ‘We’re bringing the Fantastic Four back.’ My immediate thought was, ‘Who will direct it?’ Now, years later, it's surreal to be the one directing and integrating these characters into the MCU. It's a tremendous privilege,” Shakman expressed.
"Fantastic Four: First Steps" represents the fourth cinematic attempt to spotlight Marvel's first family, following a shelved 1994 project, a two-part series with Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, and Michael Chiklis, and the much-maligned 2015 reboot by Josh Trank.
When asked whether the franchise’s troubled past added any pressure, Shakman emphasized his focus on honoring Lee and Kirby’s original vision.
“The pressure I felt was more about doing justice to these cherished characters. I've been a ‘Fantastic Four’ fan since childhood, and it was important to respect what Jack Kirby and Stan Lee envisioned. They’ve been interpreted through diverse lenses over sixty years by both comic artists and filmmakers. Finding a personal connection to these characters was crucial for me. I saw parts of my own life—being a husband, a father—in them, and aimed to make the storytelling deeply personal,” Shakman explained.
Set in a stylishly retro 1960s-inspired futuristic realm, the film sees the Fantastic Four tackling the existential threat posed by Galactus. Julia Garner joins the ensemble as Silver Surfer, Shalla-Bal.
Shakman believes that a filmmaker's personal investment in the storyline is vital, suggesting that without true passion, one should reconsider taking on the project. “Being passionate and personally connected to the story enhances the narrative’s authenticity. If you’re not, then perhaps you’re not the right fit for bringing it to life,” Shakman remarked.
He first fell in love with Spider-Man, eventually discovering the Fantastic Four through the superhero’s connection to the Human Torch. “Spider-Man’s friendship with the Human Torch was my gateway to the Fantastic Four. I’m excited to delve into this interconnected universe and work on these films,” he concluded.
“Fantastic Four: First Steps”, written by Josh Friedman, Eric Pearson, Jeff Kaplan, and Ian Springer, will release in Indian cinemas in four languages: English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu.
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