The Marvel Cinematic Universe has entered a fresh chapter, and Marvel’s First Family is setting the pace for what’s ahead.
The Fantastic Four Brings Big Box Office Energy—But Faces Fast Drop
After years of anticipation, Marvel’s Fantastic Four officially stepped into the MCU this summer with The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Directed by Matt Shakman, the film introduced 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.
Coming off mixed returns from earlier 2025 titles like Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts*, First Steps reminded audiences of Marvel’s blockbuster power.
Part of that success comes down to accessibility. Unlike many MCU entries, fans didn’t need prior Disney+ knowledge or the latest crossovers to follow the story—something moviegoers have often voiced fatigue about.
That strategy delivered results. First Steps opened to $218 million worldwide, including $118 million domestic and $100 million overseas across 52 markets. Analysts had projected $190 million–$210 million, but Marvel topped expectations. The debut also provided a much-needed win for Disney during the crowded summer season.
With Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal and Ralph Ineson as Galactus, First Steps offered a star-packed lineup that immediately drew comparisons to DC’s recent relaunch of Superman. Warner Bros.’ reboot landed $217 million (later updated to $220 million), putting Marvel’s First Family shoulder to shoulder with the Man of Steel’s return.
The timing was key. Marvel’s earlier releases this year opened lower—Brave New World with $180 million and Thunderbolts* at $162 million—making First Steps the studio’s biggest 2025 opening. With positive early word-of-mouth and strong audience reaction, it briefly felt like the franchise had rediscovered its footing.
But sustaining momentum proved difficult. After a sharp second-week drop, the film sits at $470.3 million worldwide after a month in theaters, according to Box Office Mojo.
Joining Pascal, Kirby, Quinn, Moss-Bachrach, Garner, and Ineson were Paul Walter Hauser (Harvey Elder/Mole Man), Mark Gatiss (Ted Gilbert), Sarah Niles (Lynne Nichols), and Natasha Lyonne (Rachel Rozman).
Natasha Lyonne Joins the MCU—Again
Rachel Rozman, a new MCU original, makes her debut as a schoolteacher connected to Ben Grimm’s synagogue. Her limited screen time hints at a possible romantic spark with Grimm, adding a personal layer to the Thing’s story.
Lyonne’s casting is notable for another reason—she’s now the only actor in MCU history to play two original roles. Before Rozman, she voiced Byrdie in What If…? Season 3, the daughter of Kat Dennings’ Darcy Lewis and Seth Green’s Howard the Duck. Byrdie first appeared in the episode “What If…Howard the Duck Got Hitched,” continuing Lyonne’s track record of unconventional roles.
Both Rozman and Byrdie are Marvel originals rather than comic book imports, underscoring Lyonne’s unique place in MCU history.
Although Marvel Studios skipped San Diego Comic-Con this year, president Kevin Feige still shed light on where the MCU is heading.
He spoke about lessons from Marvel’s streaming expansion, the transition from Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors) to Doctor Doom (Robert Downey Jr.), and how the franchise plans to evolve.
While avoiding the word “reboot,” Feige described how Avengers: Doomsday (2026) and Avengers: Secret Wars (2027) will reset the timeline before ushering in the X-Men. “Reboot is a scary word,” he 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.”
This echoes earlier comments from Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame directors Joe and Anthony Russo, who suggested the next Avengers films will represent a fresh beginning rather than just a conclusion.
With a new character teased for future stories and Tom Holland returning in Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026), Marvel is charting a path straight toward Doomsday.
What do you think about Marvel using a reset to set up the X-Men? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
