Can the MCU’s First Family Overcome Identity-Driven Narratives?
As Marvel Studios prepares to launch The Fantastic Four: First Steps this July, some are sounding alarms over the film’s potential to underperform—not due to superhero fatigue, but because of Marvel’s insistence on putting novelty over legacy by prioritizing modern identity politics over the franchise’s lore. With projections ranging from an insanely hopeful $950 million to a slightly more cautious $680 million, the film’s success really hinges on whether audiences will embrace yet another MCU entry that seems more interested in cultural commentary than cosmic adventure.
A Family Divided
The film’s core cast—Pedro Pascal’s mustached Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby’s motherhood-focused Sue Storm, and Joseph Quinn’s wimpy Human Torch—has already sparked debate. Gone are the brazen, larger-than-life personalities that defined the comics. Instead of flawed characters with friction in their family dynamics, director Matt Shakman promises a retro-futuristic tale where the team grapples with “gender politics” and is shaped by modern sensibilities. While Vanessa Kirby insists this update avoids making Sue a “doormat,” the cast’s recent interview with Entertainment Weekly left many fans wondering if Marvel has confused empowerment with overcorrection. Some fans are referring to this as the “black pill” era for Marvel Studios.
Surfing on Thin Ice
Perhaps the first major red-flag for long time fans of the super team was the odd decision to gender-swap the Silver Surfer, casting Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal. Though the move nods to a niche 2000s comic, replacing Norrin Radd—a character with 60 years of lore—feels less like bold creativity and more like checkbox diversity. This unusual choice risks alienating purists who’ve waited decades for a faithful adaptation.
Marvel is prioritizing woke novelty over legacy. Choosing Norrin’s girlfriend as Silver Surfer—seen once 15 years ago—over his iconic version (thousands of comics/toons/film) feels very dismissive; sort of like an Iron Heart film before Iron Man. https://t.co/SftL02R2KP pic.twitter.com/Nt0nivklTh
— Chris Braly (@chrisbraly) April 17, 2025
2005 Silver Surfer (left) VS 2025 Silver Surfer (right) pic.twitter.com/UeRQE3CWeF
— Pirat_Nation 🔴 (@Pirat_Nation) April 17, 2025
This isn’t the first gender-swap in the MCU. Captain Marvel did it with Mar-Vell. Doctor Strange did it with the Ancient One. Ant-Man and the Wasp did it with Ghost. And The Eternals did it with three male characters; Makkari, Sprite, and Ajak. But the gender-swap of Silver Surfer may be the most significant. The Silver Surfer, also known as Norrin Radd, has appeared in a substantial number of comics since his debut in Fantastic Four #48 in March 1966. According to the Complete Marvel Reading Order he has been featured in at least 695 comic issues.
The character was also the central antagonist in the 2007 live-action film Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, portrayed by Doug Jones and voiced by Laurence Fishburne. He’s appeared in several animated series, including the 1967 and 1994 Fantastic Four shows, as well as his own Silver Surfer: The Animated Series in 1998. In video games, he’s been a playable character in Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, LEGO Marvel Super Heroes, and mobile games such as Contest of Champions and Future Fight. He even appeared as a skin in Fortnite. Beyond that, he’s shown up in Marvel novelizations and cosmic-themed books, and his image is widely used in merchandise like action figures, Funko Pops, apparel, and statues, making him a popular and enduring figure in Marvel’s cosmic universe.
A one shot, one issue book where they made his wife the Surfer instead of him. The Silver Surfer should be Norin Radd. Especially when it’s his first time in the mcu. This was Disney being “inclusive” cuz Sue was the only female they put in the film
— Robby Woo (@WooRobby) April 17, 2025
So why gender-swap the character at all? What exactly is the point of this unecessary change? Why even risk looking “woke” in today’s climate?
Lessons Unlearned
Marvel’s recent track record doesn’t inspire confidence. The Marvels cratered at $206 million, proving that even Carol Danvers couldn’t survive Phase 4’s storytelling bloat. Meanwhile, Eternals and She-Hulk became punchlines for their heavy-handed messaging. Yet here we are again: First Steps teases pregnancy arcs, “messy femininity,” and a Reed Richards who’s more vulnerable scientist than fearless leader—choices that prioritize symbolism over substance.
I’m getting tired of seeing Pedro Pascal it’s too much how does he even manage to be on all these shows and movies!!!
— Droid (@droid254) January 26, 2025
Some fans are actually admitting to growing weary of seeing Pedro Pascal in so many projects (The Last of Us, The Mandalorian, Gladiator II) that they’re feeling some burn-out. Others feel that he might still lack some of the gravitas needed for the part of Mr. Fantastic, and might come off as a bit too young or green. And like other toxic movie stars, he gets into the muck of politics on his social media, seemingly without any concern of studio reprimand or interference. This may be off-putting to a segment of the fandom.
I won’t
— C-MC (@mcufightclub) April 4, 2025
The Competition Conundrum
James Gunn’s Superman (July 11) looms as a formidable rival, with early buzz painting it as a back-to-basics crowd-pleaser. If Gunn delivers a hopeful, action-packed Man of Steel while Marvel dissects modern motherhood, casual viewers may flock to Metropolis instead. Add Jurassic World: Rebirth to the mix, and First Steps could drown in a summer of safer bets.
Looks pretty weak overall. Looks very PG, weak action in the trailer, no real fighting, etc. Looks like another disappointing offering from @Marvel.
— Nick (@NQuatrocky) April 17, 2025
Box Office Roulette
Industry forecasts remain split. Optimists and shills point to Marvel’s continued brand power and the significance of the FF’s MCU debut, and are predicting around $750 million-plus, but when you factor in the characters’ cursed cinematic history things start to look a bit more gloomy. The 2015 reboot earned $168 million, and between all three pervious Fantastic Four movies, they only average a final box office total of $267 million. That’s well below the MCU’s average, not to mention the studio’s growing reputation for narrative bloat. If First Steps follows Phase 4’s playbook—prioritizing “cultural engineering” over coherent plots—it could become Marvel’s first true multiverse misfire for a film that had the most potential. The quartet of Marvel’s “first family” might be among their most iconic with comic readers, but not the MCU faithful.
I’m predicting a global box office $425M and a domestic take of around $300M. Adjusting for inflation, that’s around what the last two FF movies earned.
What Do Audiences Want?
Marvel Studios faces a simple question: Do audiences want a thought-provoking thesis on gender dynamics, or a thrilling ride with Marvel’s original family of explorers? With Avengers: Doomsday on the horizon, Kevin Feige’s team can’t afford another identity crisis. After all, even the best surfers wipe out when they ignore the waves, and it looks like Disney and Marvel are ignoring a tidal wave.
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