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Full title of 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' revealed along with first footage, confirming the film is set in the '60s | SDCC 2024

At SDCC 2024, we finally learned new details about the upcoming MCU film Fantastic Four; including the film's new title, Fantastic Four: First Steps, and confirmation that the film will indeed be set in the 1960s.

During Marvel Studios' panel, Fantastic Four: First Steps director Matt Shakman confirmed that the film would be set in the 1960s and would have a retro-futuristic vibe. “We're not just doing the '60s, we're doing the retro-future of the '60s… it's partly what you know from the '60s, but also partly what you've never seen before,” Shakman said during the panel. “With the right heart and mind, you can do anything.”

Since Marvel announced the cast of the Fantastic Four on Valentine's Day, many began to analyze the team's illustrated show. Many fans began to speculate that the film is set in the 1960s for several reasons; most notably, The Thing is seen reading an issue of Live Magazine, namely an issue from December 1963 The cover featured President Lyndon B. Johnson.

In addition to confirming the air date and a new title, attendees were also able to get a glimpse of footage from Fantastic Four. The clip featured Pedro Pascal as Mr. Fantastic hosting a science-focused show similar to Bill Nye the Science Guy. Additionally, the Thing, played by Ebon Moss-Bachrach, can be seen on a dating show.

The reveal followed a full week of teasers for San Diego Comic-Con. After the big Deadpool and Wolverine panel on Thursday night, Marvel hosted a drone show over the convention center, with the light show hinting at Galactus and Fantastic Four news in the days to come. Additionally, Fantastic Four banners (in the style of the previously released concept art) were seen throughout San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter.

Back at Marvel's big 2022 SDCC panel, the studio announced that the new Fantastic Four film will kick off Phase 6, which will end with Avengers: Secret Wars. Marvel announced last Valentine's Day who will actually play its new Fantastic Four: Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing, and Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm.

Since then, more casting has been announced, including Ralph Ineson as Galactus and Julia Garner as Silver Surfer. The film only recently began shooting, and Pascal posted the first photo of the cast together on Instagram earlier this week.

The Fantastic Four is scheduled to hit theaters on July 25, 2025. For more information on San Diego Comic-Con, check out our roundup of all the announcements.

Taylor is a reporter at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.

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