Thunderbolts* (2025)

Robert Kirman accidentally revealed that Steven Yeun was originally set to play the Sentry

Hey there, Destructoid, and welcome to another week. This time, we're taking a look at Marvel's two most recent movies, which are The Fantastic Four: First Steps and Thunderbolts*. The Fantastic Four: First Steps is quite new and was just released on July 25, while Thunderbolts* has been out for a bit after first launching back on May 2. Both projects share a similar focus on teamwork and family, exhibiting plenty of heart and a promising future for the MCU. Image via Marvel StudiosThe Fantastic Four: First Steps was one of my most anticipated films of the year, alongside Superman, and it far surpassed my extremely high expectations. This team has long been one of my favorites, and it's about time an adaptation finally did them justice. I'm in absolute awe at how good the cast of this movie is. All four members of the team are beyond perfect and have already solidified themselves as some of my favorite MCU characters. Each character has plenty of standout moments, but it's easily Vanessa Kirby's Sue who steals the spotlight most for me.The scene where she (spoiler warning) takes down Galactus by herself, fueled by primal rage and the need to save her son, is one I'll never forget and haven't been able to stop thinking about since I left the theater. She's truly a powerhouse, and not just because of her powers, but also the incredible care and heart she exhibits throughout the movie. Image via Marvel StudiosI'm also obsessed with the chase scene that happens early on when the Fantastic Four are fleeing from Galactus while Sue gives birth aboard the spaceship and the Silver Surfer chases them down. Obviously, there was no way any of them would die at this point, but the tension was so good that I was literally on the edge of my seat the entire time. This sequence, leading up to the black hole, is easily a top comic book movie moment for me. The Fantastic Four: First Steps lives up to its name and is truly fantastic. I need these characters to be back for more as soon as possible, and I already want to see it again, even though I've already ventured to the cinema twice to see it. It's just that good. Upon finishing The Fantastic Four: First Steps, I started thinking about Thunderbolts*, as both projects hit something I feel like the MCU has been missing—truly compelling team dynamics. The original Avengers just don't come anywhere close to how good these two teams are to me. Image via Marvel StudiosThe Fantastic Four are literally a family, while the Thunderbolts are fully a found family. Both of these movies really leaned into the unique bonds and dynamics between the characters, keeping the story grounded by these relationships in a world that's otherwise plagued by chaos. I felt the same way about Superman, too, so superhero films in general have been doing a phenomenal job at this recently. Thunderbolts* especially surprised me with its deeply compelling tackling of grief. All of the characters in this ragtag group have previously been considered villains and have a lot of trauma and issues to deal with because of it. In the end, they manage to work through it by supporting each other and reminding everyone that they're not alone. They literally save the world from Sentry/The Void/Bob by simply supporting him through his grief, and it's a really powerful and emotional moment that had me sobbing in the theater. I care so much more about the members of the Fantastic Four and Thunderbolts than I ever did the original Avengers. I just feel like so many of those characters and the bonds between them didn't really get a chance to shine until it was too late, whereas all the members of these new teams already feel quite complex and fleshed out, even though they're just getting started. Image via Marvel StudiosSo, Destructoid, what have you been watching this week? Have you had a chance to check out either of these family-centric Marvel movies yet, or do you plan to? Got any other watchlist suggestions for us? Let us know down in the comments so we can discuss. The post Weekly Watchlist Vol. 4 – Fantastic foundations and found family with real heart (July 28-Aug. 4) appeared first on Destructoid.

Image courtesy of Marvel StudiosFor more than a decade, the Marvel Cinematic Universe was built upon the bedrock of its founding heroes, with characters like Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) and Captain America (Chris Evans) serving as the franchise’s narrative anchors. In the turbulent era following Avengers: Endgame, the studio has visibly struggled to find a new cornerstone, leaving [...]The post Fantastic Four 2: Everything We Know About the MCU Sequel’s Chances appeared first on ComicBook.com.

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