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Credit: Marvel StudiosThe Marvel Cinematic Universe is entering a pivotal new phase, and Marvel’s First Family is leading the way.
The Fantastic Four Delivered Box Office Breakthrough–But It Wasn’t To Last
Fans have been waiting years for Marvel’s Fantastic Four to officially join the MCU, and earlier this month, the wait finally ended. Directed by Matt Shakman, The Fantastic Four: First Steps kicked off Phase Six, uniting Pedro Pascal (Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic), Vanessa Kirby (Sue Storm/Invisible Woman), Joseph Quinn (Johnny Storm/Human Torch), and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Ben Grimm/Thing) on screen.
For a franchise that’s seen uneven returns in its most recent chapters—including Captain America: Brave New World (2025) and Thunderbolts* (2025)—First Steps‘ opening box office was a reminder that audiences were still invested.
One of the film’s strengths is its accessibility. Unlike many previous Marvel entries, fans didn’t need to have caught up on Disney+ series or recent storylines before stepping into the theater, a frustration that has grown more common in recent years.
That approach paid off. The Fantastic Four: First Steps stormed into theaters with a $218 million global debut, delivering $118 million domestically and $100 million across 52 international markets. For Disney and Marvel, the film represents a much-needed summer win and a reaffirmation of the MCU’s draw at the box office.
Industry analysts had projected a global opening between $190 million and $210 million, but the film exceeded expectations. With Julia Garner playing Shalla-Bal and Ralph Ineson portraying Galactus, First Steps firmly positioned Marvel back in the summer spotlight.
The movie’s success has also sparked comparisons to Warner Bros.’ Superman (2025) reboot. Just two weeks earlier, the Man of Steel’s return brought in a reported $217 million worldwide, later updated to $220 million. With those numbers, Marvel’s First Family was neck and neck with DC’s most iconic hero.
That momentum is particularly significant when compared to Marvel’s earlier 2025 releases. Captain America: Brave New World opened to $180 million globally, while Thunderbolts* (also referred to as The New Avengers) earned $162 million. First Steps has outpaced both, marking the Fantastic Four’s debut as Marvel’s strongest superhero opening of the year.
Whether it maintained staying power remained the question, but with enthusiastic audience response, solid social media traction, and strong early word-of-mouth, the movie gave Marvel Studios a new anchor point. It could also set the tone for how the MCU evolves heading into its next saga.
However, while The Fantastic Four soared past initial projections, it suffered a huge second-week drop that has resulted in lower overall takings after one month in theaters. The movie currently sits at $470.3 million globally per Box Office Mojo.
Joining Pascal, Kirby, Moss-Bachrach, Quinn, Garner, and Ineson in the movie were Paul Walter Hauser as Harvey Elder/Mole Man, Mark Gatiss as Ted Gilbert, Sarah Niles as Lynne Nichols, and Orange is the New Black star Natasha Lyonne as Rachel Rozman.
But Natasha Lyonne is no stranger to the MCU.
Actress Recast for The Fantastic Four
Rachel Rozman, an original character in the MCU, is introduced as a school teacher and appears at the synagogue Ben Grimm attends during the film’s third act. Though her screen time is limited, the movie hints at a possible romantic spark between Rozman and Grimm, teasing a more personal side to Marvel’s ever-lovable Thing.
What makes Lyonne’s casting even more intriguing is that it marks her second MCU role—and her second original character. Fans may remember that Lyonne previously lent her voice to What If…? Season 3, playing Byrdie, the future version of a superhero with one of the MCU’s quirkiest family lineages. Byrdie is the hybrid daughter of Kat Dennings’ Darcy Lewis and Seth Green’s Howard the Duck, first introduced in Season 3, Episode 4 (“What If…Howard the Duck Got Hitched”) of the animated series.
Unlike many characters brought from page to screen, both Rachel Rozman and Byrdie are fresh creations for Marvel Studios. That makes Lyonne the first actor in MCU history to portray two original roles rather than comic book adaptations. This distinction fits perfectly with the Poker Face star’s unconventional career.
Kevin Feige Talks MCU’s Incoming Reset
Although Marvel Studios skipped San Diego Comic-Con this year, president Kevin Feige still shared insight into what’s next for the franchise.
Speaking to members of the press, Feige addressed the lessons learned during Marvel’s streaming expansion, as well as the studio’s decision to transition from Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors) to Doctor Doom (Robert Downey Jr.) as the central antagonist. He also touched on how the MCU’s future will be shaped.
Avoiding the term “reboot,” Feige described how the upcoming Avengers films—Avengers: Doomsday (2026) and Avengers: Secret Wars (2027)—will serve as a reset point before the arrival of Marvel’s long-anticipated X-Men. “Reboot is a scary word,” he told Variety. “Reboot can mean a lot of things to a lot of people. Reset, singular timeline–we’re thinking along those lines […] X-Men is where that will happen next.”
The idea of a reset echoes comments earlier this year from Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Avengers: Endgame (2019) directors Joe and Anthony Russo. The duo suggested that while Endgame marked a conclusion for Marvel’s first major era, Doomsday and Secret Wars would instead signal the beginning of a new one.
And with a powerful new character now in the mix (spoilers being kept under wraps), Marvel’s momentum is set to carry forward. Before the next Avengers installment, Tom Holland will swing back onto screens in Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026), ensuring the road to Doomsday is paved with familiar heroes.
How do you feel about the MCU exploring a reset in the near future? Share your thoughts with Inside the Magic in the comments below!