We know that Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps takes place in a different part of the multiverse, on an alternate Earth with a different timeline.
It has already confirmed that their version of Earth does not have multiple superheroes running around. These are the only ones.
The look of the world they inhabit is retro-futuristic, hopeful 1950’s and 1960’s sci-fi with a clear touch of Kirby aesthetics, and maybe some Jetsons thrown in there.
As promotion for Fantastic Four switches into high gear, the director has been out doing the rounds. In an interview with Empire, (via Dark Horizons) Matt Shakman confirmed the hopeful, glamorous look at space travel and it’s inspiration:
“This is very much about the spirit of the Space Race. It’s about JFK and optimism. It’s imagining these four going into space instead of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.
This idea is that they are the most famous people in America, because they’re adventurers, explorers, astronauts – not because they’re superheroes. And they come back and they’re superheroes on top of it. But primarily they’re astronauts, they’re family.”
He also said that while, of course, there is a lot of CGI simply as a necessity of this type of film-making, they did use a lot of practical sets and models.
They also went as far as using the types of lenses that would have been used in the 1960’s to add to that general aesthetic.
Shaman said:
“I really wanted it to feel like it was made in 1965, the way Stanley Kubrick would have made it. Within reason.”
If you are going to aim high, then you might as well really go for it!
The Fantastic Four: First Steps stars Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn.
The movie opens in cinemas in July.