The Fantastic Four just got a Russo-sized boost

If you’re even remotely tuned into the Marvel Cinematic Universe these days, you’ve probably heard the buzz: Fantastic Four: First Steps is landing in theatres next week and it’s shaping up to be a colossal entry. We’re talking cosmic threats, retro vibes and now — plot twist — a surprise handoff involving the Russo Brothers.

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Yep. Joe and Anthony Russo — the duo who gave us Infinity War and Endgame—are back in the Marvel game.

Marvel’s storytelling

Director Matt Shakman (who’s helming First Steps) let it slip: he handed over a crucial piece of the Fantastic Four story to the Russos. He said, “Working at Marvel is like running a relay race — you pass the baton… I passed it on to Joe and Anthony and they’re off and running.”

That’s not just metaphorical fluff. It means there’s a plan in place — one where stories aren’t just connected, they’re curated. Shakman’s got his eye on Galactus; the Russos, it seems, are already prepping for what comes after.

What’s wild? The Russo-directed scene was shot during Avengers: Doomsday. So even before First Steps hits theatres, its characters are being woven into a much bigger picture.

Just a post-credit scene?

Let’s be real — Marvel’s post-credit scenes are practically an art form at this point. They're not just bonus content. They're blueprints.

This one? It’s more like a flare gun. It signals the Fantastic Four’s official arrival into the main MCU timeline, teasing a future clash that could make the old Civil War look like a playground spat.

Early whispers say the scene hints at the team syncing up with the Avengers (and maybe even clashing with them?), which makes perfect sense if you’ve been tracking the breadcrumbs toward Secret Wars. Plus, with Galactus on the horizon and Kang still hovering like a multiversal ghost, there’s a storm brewing — pun intended.

The 60s called

Now, about that world they’re living in…

First Steps is set in a retro-futuristic version of the 1960s and honestly? It’s about time Marvel played around with aesthetic eras. Think Mad Men meets Jetsons, but with a cosmic undertone and real stakes.

The styling isn’t just for flair, either. It sets First Steps apart from the modern MCU tone, creating a natural contrast when (not if) the team gets plopped into the same room as Sam Wilson’s Cap or Wong’s mystic crew. Imagine the Fantasticar parked next to a Quinjet. Exactly.

Meet the crew

The cast lineup reads like a who’s-who of fan theories finally made real: Pedro Pascal –Mr Fantastic; Vanessa Kirby – our new Sue Storm; Ebon Moss-Bachrach –Ben Grimm; Joseph Quinn – Johnny Storm.

That’s a pretty magnetic group. Throw in writing from Josh Friedman (Avatar 2), Cam Squires (WandaVision) and Eric Pearson (Black Widow) and you’ve got a script that knows how to handle emotion, spectacle and weird science.

Bonus: First Steps will release globally on July 25 in English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu. Yep — Marvel’s taking this one everywhere.

What’s really going on?

Here’s the thing — this isn’t just a movie release. It’s a chess move. The Russo Brothers stepping in at this moment tells us something loud and clear: The Fantastic Four aren’t a side story. They’re a keystone in the next phase of the MCU.

Could this mean we’re closer to Doctor Doom? Are we looking at a Kang variant convergence? Is Secret Wars already being seeded, piece by piece?

Maybe. Maybe not. But one thing’s for sure — the Russos didn’t come back just to direct a two-minute scene. Whatever they’re building, it starts here.

Keep your eyes post credits

Marvel fans know the drill — never leave the theatre early. But this time? You might wanna lean in when those credits roll.

Because when the Fantastic Four turn toward the Avengers… something big is coming. And it’s not just Galactus.

Want more Marvel tea before First Steps lands? Stick around. The MCU’s next phase isn’t slowing down — and neither are we.