'Fantastic Four' film feels like a beginning for Marvel’s first family

For actor Ebon Moss-Bachrach, the superhero film “Fantastic Four: First Steps” is different from other Marvel films because it is centered on a close-knit family.

"Our movie is about a family that's been a family for many years, and they undergo this transformation together, which brings them even closer," said Moss-Bachrach, who plays the character made of rocks named The Thing.

The Bear actor added that love is at the heart of the movie, especially when it comes to being in a "precarious situation" as "the custodians of the world".

Echoing this, Pedro Pascal, who plays the super stretchy scientist Reed Richards, feels like the cast is like a family. "We're in our family and kind of holding hands together, waiting for the movie to be released into the world," he said.

Disney’s Fantastic Four: First Steps introduces Marvel's first family as they face the cosmic threat of Galactus, an intergalactic planet eater, in a futuristic 1960s-inspired world.

Joining Moss-Bachrach and Pascal are cast members Vanessa Kirby, who plays Reed’s wife with invisibility powers named Sue Storm, and Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, who has fire powers.

Fantastic Four: First Steps, which scored a positive 87 per cent on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, arrives in theatres on Thursday. "True to its subtitle, the film feels like a fresh start,” Peter Debruge of Variety wrote in a review.

Pascal feels the key to stepping into his popular roles in projects like Game of Thrones, The Mandalorian and The Last of Us has been studying the content. "I love paying attention to the legacy of characters and the legacy of material that you're stepping into. I love being a part of an adaptation or something that has previous authorship, because it helps me," he said.

Daniel Loria, senior vice president at Boxoffice predicts that Fantastic Four: First Steps will open domestically at $115 to $135 million. While sales are currently around $115 to $125 million, he noted an increase in ticket purchases over the last week that will likely draw closer to the $115 to $135 million range.

For director Matt Shakman, the film is a celebration of firsts in several different ways. "The DNA of the ‘Fantastic Four’ is the space race. So, first steps is an obvious reference to Neil Armstrong, and one small step for mankind,” he said.

"But it's also baby first steps, you know. So, the idea of what having a baby will do to a family and changing a family. Also, about first steps for Marvel's first family in the MCU, bringing them into the MCU for the first time," he added.