Marvel Bets on Nostalgia to Relaunch Fantastic Four
- Every Media Productions
- Aug 15, 2025
- 2 min read
With a budget exceeding US$200 million, Marvel is betting big on yet another reboot of the team created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1961.
By Fábio Borges, in Hollywood.
The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, an iconic building in downtown Los Angeles built in the 1960s, was the chosen setting for the world premiere of Fantastic Four: First Steps. The choice was no accident: the retro-futuristic aesthetic of the theater mirrors the film’s setting, which recreates 1960s New York. For Brazilian audiences, one detail stands out: part of the film’s set design was inspired by the work of Rio de Janeiro architect Oscar Niemeyer.
The film opens with the well-known origin story of the heroes: a space mission that exposes four characters to cosmic radiation. It then dives into the domestic lives and family dynamics of Mister Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Thing, and Human Torch. The narrative, however, quickly escalates with the arrival of Galactus, the planet devourer, and his partner, the Silver Surfer.
For Vanessa Kirby, who plays the Invisible Woman, the family core is the heart of the story: “They still do everyday things, like washing the dishes. They’re regular people.” Her statement reinforces the studio’s attempt to humanize superheroes, while also highlighting a contrast with the visual grandeur and epic tone that dominate most of the film.
Brazil in the Spotlight on the Red Carpet
The premiere night was also marked by repeated mentions of Brazil, an important market for Disney and one traditionally receptive to Marvel productions. Pedro Pascal, who plays Mister Fantastic, took the opportunity to praise Brazilian audiences: “Brazil has the best fans in the world… I feel like I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for the love Brazil had for Narcos, The Last of Us, The Mandalorian, and Game of Thrones.”
Joseph Quinn, the Human Torch, tapped into food and soccer to connect with the audience: “Feijoada. I love it! And the soccer players are incredible too.”
Julia Garner, who plays the villain Silver Surfer, said that if she could choose any superpower off-screen, it would be “to fly so I could see all of Brazil.”
Brazilian Hero: Promise or Marketing?
The possibility of introducing a Brazilian character into the Marvel Cinematic Universe was mentioned more than once. Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios, stated that “this inclusion needs to happen,” praising the country’s fans as “the biggest and perhaps the best in the world.”
If the promise comes to fruition, it remains to be seen whether the representation will go beyond a superficial nod or actually bring depth and narrative relevance. Until then, the idea works more as a diplomatic gesture that fuels expectations among Brazilian audiences while keeping alive the commercial relationship with one of the franchise’s most profitable markets.
About the Author
Fábio Borges is an award-winning international journalist and founder of Every Media Productions. Since 1996, he has reported from the Americas, Europe and Asia, producing over 4,000 news stories.
