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3w ago

Bob Iger Defends 'Fantastic Four: First Steps' Launch Despite 66% Box Office Drop

The film’s creative choice to limit Mister Fantastic’s stretching has drawn scrutiny along with early sequel talk following its Phase Six kickoff

Ebon Moss-Bachrach as The Thing in The Fantastic Four: First Steps 
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RUMOR: THE FANTASTIC FOUR Sequel Moving Forward With Matt Shakman "Likely" To Return As Director
Bob Iger at the Los Angeles Premiere Of Marvel Studios' "Thunderbolts*" at Dolby Theatre on April 28, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)

Overview

  • Disney chief Bob Iger described 'First Steps' as an original property introducing the Fantastic Four to new audiences and a successful MCU launch
  • The movie opened with $125 million in its first weekend before experiencing a 66 percent decline in its second weekend, one of the steepest drops among recent Marvel releases
  • Critics from GeekTyrant argue Mister Fantastic’s powers were underutilized, with director Matt Shakman stating the choice to limit Reed Richards’ stretching served story-driven purposes
  • As the Phase Six opener, the film sets up the team’s roles in next December’s Avengers: Doomsday with post-credits teases
  • Unconfirmed reports suggest Marvel is planning a sequel and may bring back Matt Shakman to direct the next Fantastic Four installment