Have Kevin Feige and Marvel already given up on The Fantastic Four: First Steps?
It’s learned that for the first time in years, Kevin Feige is skipping out on this summer’s San Diego Comic-Con, which happens to correlate with when The Fantastic Four: First Steps gets released July 25.
Comic-Con runs July 24 -27 in San Diego. Details below.
Marvel had huge 2024 Comic-Con
Marvel showed up in a big way at last year’s SDCC with the shocking announcement that Robert Downey Jr. will return to the MCU as Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday.
Feige brought all the Doombots on stage, and then it was revealed Robert Downey Jr. was among them. The internet exploded.
Marvel also showed up with the spoiler cast of Deadpool & Wolverine, which also premiered when Comic-Con started last year.
Marvel Skips Hall H Panel Despite Fantastic Four Releasing During Comic-Con
Now THR says that Feige and Marvel Studios are not attending Comic-Con this year, again despite that Comic-Con kicks off on the same day as the Thursday preview release of Fantastic Four.
In its e-mail newsletter, THR goes over how Feige and director Matt Shakman attended a recent screen test of Fantastic Four.
The site says that Marvel surprised fans with a secret screening of Fantastic Four: First Steps at Regal Long Beach, attended by Kevin Feige and director Matt Shakman.
The film, still in post-production with eight weeks to go, featured a post-credit scene (spoilers here) and marks a shift in Marvel’s approach by using public test screenings.
Despite its July 25 release coinciding with San Diego Comic-Con, Marvel Studios is skipping its usual Hall H panel this year, a first since 2018, not caused by external events like COVID or strikes.
THR says:
Test screenings aside, Fantastic Four opens the Friday of San Diego Comic-Con, and this year, Marvel will break with tradition and not have its infamous, senses-shattering Saturday evening Hall H panel.
While Marvel will still maintain a strong presence on the SDCC floor with Comics and such, the absence of a headline movie panel, especially following last year’s major Avengers: Doomsday reveal, has fueled speculation about Fantastic Four‘s readiness and reception.
THR adds:
With Avengers: Doomsday pushing out to December 2026, Marvel now has another SDCC before the film’s theatrical release. The cast of Avengers: Doomsday is currently in production, and it didn’t feel like the right timing for a Hall H panel, at least that was the thinking inside the company.
Backlash Grows for Fantastic Four: Woke Agenda, Cast Issues, Ending Concerns
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is receiving backlash over various topics. One includes Pedro Pascal and his online behavior. Another includes accusations that FF is another “M She U” movie. There’s backlash to use of the female Silver Surfer. It also seems the movie centers around Sue Storm and that the rest of the cast has been emasculated. Rumors offer major problems with the ending.
Grace Randolph even said at the recent test screening that fans were actually vocal after it ended. While Randolph didn’t say the fans booed, it more or less seemed so, as she said the fans yelled out things like “mid!” She said execs at the screening took notice, who, according to THR, would include Kevin Feige.
With Marvel and Feige not showing up to promote The Fantastic Four: First Steps, that doesn’t exactly scream they have a lot of faith in the movie. Feige also pushed both Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars far away from the releases of not only FF, but the bombs of both Thunderbolts and Captain America: Brave New World. Not to mention The Marvels, Quantumania, and all the MCU shows on Disney+, which includes Daredevil: Born Again embarrassingly bombing.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps release info
The Fantastic Four: First Steps gets released on July 25, 2025, directed by Matt Shakman. Starring includes Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Josepeh Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach.
