IMAX Format Will Make Galactus Feel Even More Terrifying in THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS
When The Fantastic Four: First Steps lands in theaters on July 25, it won’t just mark the debut of Marvel’s First Family in the new MCU, it’ll also deliver a cosmic heavyweight like never before, with Galactus.
And if the villain’s reputation as a planet-eating force of nature didn’t already make him intimidating, director Matt Shakman is making sure the visuals will do the rest.
In a new behind-the-scenes IMAX featurette, Shakman teased a unique visual treat:
“We designed the movie to be entirely in IMAX. You’re going to space, but also you’re in Manhattan, which is a vertical city, and we captured that scale.
“Then, you have the largest thing in the universe, and the world adjusts [makes hand gesture while video’s aspect ratio changes]. This movie celebrates the IMAX format.”
So yes, when Galactus arrives, you’ll be able to experience the terrifying cosmic threat into an overwhelming presence that towers over everything else in the frame.
Set in a 1960s-style retro-futuristic version of New York and beyond, the film stars Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm. Julia Garner plays the Silver Surfer—though this time around, it’s the Shalla-Bal version of the character—and Ralph Ineson brings his gravel-voiced gravitas to Galactus.
The official synopsis reads: “Set against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps introduces Marvel’s First Family—Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm/Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm/Human Torch (Joseph Quinn) and Ben Grimm/The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) as they face their most daunting challenge yet.
“Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, they must defend Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner).”
And if Galactus’ plan to devour the entire planet and everyone on it weren’t bad enough, it suddenly gets very personal.
Also joining the ensemble are Paul Walter Hauser, Natasha Lyonne, and Sarah Niles each in still-undisclosed roles, which is just enough mystery to keep MCU fans speculating.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is aiming to be more than just an origin story, it’s shaping up to be a full-on visual spectacle that takes the MCU cosmic in a whole new way.
See it in IMAX on July 25 if you want to feel just how small we really are.