In a recent interview with director Matt Shakman, he reveals his comic book inspirations for The Fantastic Four: First Steps. We have already had now two different cinematic variations of Fantastic Four and neither were all that good. So, how does Shakman ensure that his version of Marvel’s first family hit the right spot?
Speaking with Inverse in a wide ranging interview covering his full career. Shakman walks through the events that led him to where he is now, Stops on the way include directing It’s Always Sunny, Game of Thrones and more. Shakman says he is taking inspiration for his version of Fantastic Four, not from previous live-action versions, but by going back to the comic book origins.
“I’m not so much looking at the other movies,” Shakman says. “I’m looking at the comics themselves. I’m a huge comic book fan. I’ve been a big fan of the Fantastic Four since I was a kid. So going back to Kirby and Lee and Byrne and following all the way up to what’s happening, certainly Hickman and Waid and Ryan North, what he’s been doing. I’m trying to figure out who these characters are to me and how to bring them to life in the best possible way, and that’s really where I’ve started and how we’ve approached it.”
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As a big fan of Fantastic Four comics over the years, this is the approach I would also take. There are so many fantastic stories involving these characters that have never been touched on screen. We of course know some of where Shakman’s story is going, Galactus and the Shalla-Bal version of Silver Surfer are present. That’s a storyline that can be ripped straight from the comics. Yet, by switching Universes to the 616 eventually, Marvel fans I think can also expect Norrin Radd to replace his wife as the 616 version of Surfer down the line.
When I think of some of the best FF runs in the comics, I do myself look longingly towards the Hickman period. Then farther back at the likes of Kirby and Stan Lee. I may not have been reading the more modern runs though.
It sounds to me like this movie is in good hands. The Fantastic Four: First Steps is currently filming right now for release on July 25, 2025.
What do you think as director Matt Shakman reveals his comic book inspirations for The Fantastic Four: First Steps? Thoughts below as always.
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