LONDON – Collective strength and the optimism of the 1960s are the driving forces of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, its stars Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby say.
Helmed by WandaVision (2021) director Matt Shakman, the movie reboots the Fantastic Four film series (2005 to present), which is based on the Marvel Comics super-team.
It comes 10 years after the last Fantastic Four film – directed by Josh Trank – flopped at the box office and received scathing reviews.
With a starry ensemble cast, the retro-futuristic, 1960s-inspired movie introduces Marvel’s First Family – Pascal’s Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Kirby’s Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn’s Johnny Storm/Human Torch and Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s Ben Grimm/The Thing.
Drawing on their bond and superhero strengths, the foursome must take on the planet-devouring cosmic entity called Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his herald, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner).
“It’s about family. It’s about caring for humankind. It’s about protecting human innocence and knowing that you can’t do it alone. We can only do it together,” said Pascal at the London premiere on July 10.
Being part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe was “an actor’s dream”, the 50-year-old Chilean-American star added.
“To get to step into it for the first time in an ensemble, with a vision that is very dedicated to its origins and the characters in the stories that people originally fell in love with when they were first published in 1961, and the charm of something that has optimism and a very pure heart, is everything,” he said.
English actress Kirby, who is expecting her first child with American former professional lacrosse player Paul Rabil, said playing Sue, who has a baby in the movie with her husband Reed, was also a lesson in motherhood.
Pedro Pascal (left) and Vanessa Kirby in The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
PHOTO: THE WALT DISNEY CO.
“She really changed my whole perspective on it, honestly,” the 37-year-old said.
“It was so inspiring and emotional for me to play this part where she could be as much part of the team, a working mother, who was able to do everything, wasn’t sidelined. The baby became part of the journey. And it taught me that everything is possible as a woman.”
Pascal, Kirby, Quinn and Moss-Bachrach are on a global publicity tour to promote The Fantastic Four: First Steps and have praised the bond they formed through the film.
“What it means for me is that I have a really loving year,” said American actor Moss-Bachrach, 48, who also stars in the hit comedy-drama series The Bear (2022 to present).
“I spend some of the year in Chicago working with people that I love so dearly, and then I come out to London and work with some other people that I love so dearly. I’m in a very fortunate position.” REUTERS
The Fantastic Four: First Steps opens in Singapore cinemas on July 24.