BUMP WATCH: VANESSA KIRBY’S SUE STORM BALANCES IMPENDING MOTHERHOOD AND APOCALYPSE IN FANTASTIC FOUR TRAILER
In the glittering constellation of Marvel’s cinematic universe, a new star is about to be born—both literally and figuratively. The fashion set’s collective radar pinged dramatically yesterday as Marvel Entertainment unveiled the latest trailer for their highly anticipated summer blockbuster, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, sending ripples through the entertainment and style sphere alike.
The visually sumptuous trailer serves a divine revelation: Sue Storm (embodied by the eternally chic Vanessa Kirby) is with child. The trailer captures the intimate moment when Kirby’s Sue—clad in what appears to be an impeccably tailored ensemble befitting Marvel’s most stylish heroine—shares the joyous news with her superhero family. The tender scene stands in stark sartorial and emotional contrast to what follows: the arrival of the Silver Surfer, portrayed by fashion darling and industry chameleon Julia Garner.
Garner’s metallic aesthetic as the harbinger of doom is nothing short of editorial perfection—a triumph of costume design that fashion insiders are already buzzing will inspire countless runway collections and editorial spreads. Her otherworldly silhouette glides through the frame with the grace of a couture model, even as she delivers devastating news of Earth’s imminent destruction.
Pedro Pascal, whose rugged charm has made him a front-row fixture at fashion weeks globally, brings depth and gravitas to Reed Richards. “I stretched the bounds of space,” his character laments with the intensity of a man who has accidentally worn last season’s accessories to the Met Gala, “and they heard.” Pascal’s chemistry with Kirby crackles with the electricity of vintage Helmut Newton photographs—raw, powerful, and impossibly stylish.
The cast is rounded out by Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm, both bringing their distinct aesthetic sensibilities to these iconic roles. Quinn’s Storm burns with the fierce energy of an enfant terrible designer, while Moss-Bachrach’s Grimm carries himself with the weathered dignity of heritage luxury.
Perhaps most tantalizing is the glimpse of Galactus’s massive boots striding across Manhattan’s grid—a visual spectacle reminiscent of Alexander McQueen’s most theatrical runway presentations. Director Matt Shakman revealed to this publication’s sister outlet his commitment to practical effects for the villain: “I wanted to actually have someone there embodying the part. So we’ve built an entire costume for him.” This dedication to craftsmanship over digital shortcuts speaks to a bespoke approach to filmmaking that fashion’s most discerning connoisseurs will surely appreciate.
The trailer hints at the cosmic scale of the narrative while keeping its emotional center firmly anchored in the Fantastic Four’s found-family dynamic. Like the most coveted limited-edition collaboration, this film promises to merge the familiar with the avant-garde, positioning itself as this summer’s must-see cinematic event.
Industry whispers suggest The Fantastic Four: First Steps may finally break the curse that has plagued previous iterations of Marvel’s first family on screen. Neither Tim Story’s 2005 attempt nor Josh Trank’s critically maligned 2015 reboot managed to capture the essence of these beloved characters with the sophistication they deserved.
With a supporting cast that includes Ralph Ineson, Paul Walter Hauser, John Malkovich, and Natasha Lyonne—each bringing their distinctive sartorial perspective to the production—this latest incarnation seems poised to redefine superhero chic for a new generation.
Mark your digital calendars, darlings—The Fantastic Four: First Steps materializes in theaters July 25, and from what we’ve glimpsed, it promises to be the season’s most talked-about fusion of style and substance.
