Disney Officially Kicks Off ‘Fantastic Four’ Overhaul After Box Office Disaster

Marvel has been in a rebuilding phase. After years of near-guaranteed box office hits, the studio has had to face some strict reality checks. Several projects that were expected to dominate theaters have underperformed, forcing Marvel to reassess its approach moving forward. One of the clearest examples of that shift is Fantastic Four.

Instead of letting the flop define the franchise, Marvel is using it as a launchpad to change course. The studio is giving the team a new look, a stronger direction, and a much bigger role in what comes next.

First Steps Didn’t Deliver the Punch

When Fantastic Four: First Steps debuted, Marvel positioned it as the launchpad for something massive. The film wasn’t just an introduction—it was supposed to anchor the lead-up to Avengers: Doomsday in December 2026.

Marvel placed the First Family at the center of the Multiverse saga to inject a new mix of science and adventure into the MCU. But the film fell flat. It failed to engage audiences, and its weak box office forced the studio to rethink its strategy.

Their Role in Doomsday Is Too Important to Ignore

Even though their debut stumbled, the Fantastic Four isn’t being sidelined. Marvel still plans to make them a major part of Avengers: Doomsday, with Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm expected to play a pivotal role as the Multiverse story reaches its breaking point.

Much like Iron Man and Captain America carried the early Avengers films, Marvel wants the Fantastic Four to help anchor the next big crossover.

A Visual Reset

One of the most evident signs of Marvel’s shift can be seen in the team’s appearance. Instead of replacing the cast, the studio is updating the costumes to reflect a new phase of the story. The redesigns were revealed through official production wrap gifts for Avengers: Doomsday, giving fans their first look at the revamped team.

Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards sports a clean white jacket layered over his blue suit, leaning harder into his scientific identity. Vanessa Kirby’s Sue Storm now has a jacket with a reversed color scheme, keeping her iconic blue while adding something new. Joseph Quinn’s Johnny Storm doubles down on the blue aesthetic, while Ben Grimm stands apart as the only member still wearing his original suit.

More Than a Minor Update

Costume updates in the MCU are rarely random. They usually signal a change in tone, growth in characters, or the start of a bigger storyline. This is Marvel’s way of showing fans that the Fantastic Four isn’t just an experiment—they’re becoming central players.

Reed’s new “lab coat” style emphasizes leadership. Sue’s look creates visual contrast. Johnny’s updated aesthetic reinforces unity. And Ben’s unchanged costume hints that there’s something deeper going on with his arc.

Preparing for a Doomsday Comeback

This is Marvel’s chance to turn a stumble into a comeback. Avengers: Doomsday is set to be one of the most important films of the MCU’s next era, and the Fantastic Four will play a massive part in how it unfolds.

The studio isn’t just giving them a cosmetic upgrade—it’s reintroducing them with purpose. By the time the next big crossover arrives, the Fantastic Four could finally get the spotlight that eluded them the first time around.