The Fantastic Four: First Steps Cast & Characters Guide

Plot in a nutshell:

Set against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, Marvel Studios’ “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” introduces Marvel’s First Family–Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm/Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm/Human Torch (Joseph Quinn) and Ben Grimm/The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) as they face their most daunting challenge yet. Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, they must defend Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner). And if Galactus’ plan to devour the entire planet and everyone on it weren’t bad enough, it suddenly gets very personal.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps Cast & Characters Guide

• Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards / Mister Fantastic

Think of Reed as the brainiac leader—you get a mix of Steve Jobs meets Einstein (plus the stretchy powers of Marvel’s favorite smart guy) . You might know Pascal from The Mandalorian or The Last of Us. He even called this role “intimidating”—so you know he’s bringing thoughtful depth to the character. ew.com+1thewrap.com+1

• Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm / Invisible Woman

Sue is the emotional core of the team—a power-house force-field projector and mother-to-be who brings both strength and heart . Kirby’s merging classic geeky Sue vibes with fresh nuance—no one-trick invisibility act here. ew.com

• Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm / Human Torch

Johnny’s the outgoing, fiery younger brother with a sharper social conscience than you’d expect. Quinn’s version isn’t just a hot-head—he’s got jokes, charm, and even some growth. You’ll probably recognize him as Eddie from Stranger Things.

• Ebon Moss‑Bachrach as Ben Grimm / The Thing

Ben’s the tough guy with a soft heart. He’s Reed’s best friend, an astronaut-turned-rock-monster, and full of fierce loyalty. Moss‑Bachrach brings that The Bear grit, but darker and more emotional—definitely someone you’ll root for.

• Julia Garner as Shalla‑Bal / Silver Surfer

Imagine an interstellar surf goddess with cosmic presence: that’s Julia Garner’s take on Silver Surfer. Elegant, mysterious, and brought to life via motion capture—smooth and badass.

• Ralph Ineson as Galactus

Here’s your big bad—Galactus, the planet-devourer! Ineson gives this cosmic force weight (literally and figuratively), calling him a “god of sorts.” It’s cosmic horror, but with a 1960s sci-fi twist.

Cameos & Supporting Roles

Robert Downey Jr. is teased as Doctor Doom in a post-credits scene—just a taste of bigger MCU mayhem.
Matthew Wood voices H.E.R.B.I.E., Reed’s charming robot sidekick.
John Malkovich, Natasha Lyonne, Paul Walter Hauser, and Sarah Niles are also in the mix—adding flavor to this funky 60s universe.

Fun Trivia & Commentary

They skipped the origin scene! The film starts after they get their powers—so you’re diving into the action and character drama right away.
Sue and Reed are expecting Franklin Richards—this isn’t just action, it’s a superhero family story with an adorable new member on the way!
It’s drenched in retro-futurism: think Stanley Kubrick’s 60s vision with sci-fi sets, vintage lenses, and practical effects. It’s gorgeous and nostalgic.

Bottom Line

You’ve got a killer quartet led by Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss‑Bachrach—filled with chemistry, heart, and humor. Add in cosmic stakes (Galactus, Silver Surfer), a baby on the way, and retro 60s flair, and it’s shaping up to be a bold new kick-off for the Fantastic Four in the MCU.

Mark your calendar for July 25, 2025—this is one “First Step” you won’t want to miss.