The MCU Is Getting Reset: Marvel Confirms Change Ahead of Latest Movie
The Marvel Cinematic Universe just took a bold step forward, and Marvel’s original super-team is leading the way.
After years of anticipation, audiences were finally introduced to the MCU’s version of the Fantastic Four earlier this month. Directed by WandaVision’s Matt Shakman, The Fantastic Four: First Steps officially launched Phase Six, introducing Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing.
The film marks a turning point after the uneven reception of recent MCU titles like Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts* (both 2025), which underperformed in global earnings. In contrast, First Steps stood out partly due to its accessibility—viewers didn’t need to catch up on prior entries or Disney+ spin-offs to jump in.
Now, Marvel Studios is back in a major way, celebrating a box office resurgence. The film debuted to a global total of $218 million, with $118 million coming from North American audiences and an additional $100 million from 52 international markets. It’s a much-needed summer win for Disney and Marvel.
Industry projections had pegged the reboot’s global take between $190 million and $210 million, but it surpassed expectations, reinforcing Marvel’s renewed momentum. With Julia Garner joining the ensemble as Shalla-Bal and Ralph Ineson stepping in as Galactus, the film’s buzz only intensified ahead of release.
The performance puts First Steps in direct contention with Warner Bros.’ recent Superman reboot from director James Gunn, which posted a slightly higher adjusted global figure of $220 million. Still, Marvel has every reason to celebrate.
Earlier this year, Captain America: Brave New World earned $180 million globally, and Thunderbolts* pulled in $162 million. In surpassing both, First Steps now stands as Marvel’s top superhero opener of 2025.
While long-term sustainability remains to be seen, early reception has been strong. With good word-of-mouth, positive fan feedback, and a solid social media presence, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is shaping up to be a critical pillar in Marvel’s next chapter.
Marvel Studios skipped this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, but studio president Kevin Feige sat down with members of the press to share insights into what lies ahead. Speaking candidly about the transition from the streaming boom and the narrative shift from Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors) to Doctor Doom (Robert Downey Jr.), Feige opened up about the MCU’s larger direction.
“Reboot is a scary word,” Feige told Variety. “Reboot can mean a lot of things to a lot of people. Reset, singular timeline–we’re thinking along those lines […] X-Men is where that will happen next.”
Feige’s comments are in line with earlier statements from directors Joe and Anthony Russo, who emphasized that Avengers: Doomsday (2026) and Avengers: Secret Wars (2027) would be a launchpad for what’s next, not a wrap-up like Infinity War and Endgame.
With a new cosmic player entering the scene, the future of the MCU appears to be headed toward a massive transformation. The next major installment, Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026), will see the return of Tom Holland before the universe-altering events of Doomsday.
With the MCU recalibrating its strategy and The Fantastic Four off to a promising start, Marvel seems poised to reclaim its status as a global powerhouse.
Let us know what you think about the MCU’s potential reset in the comments below!
