Paul Walter Hauser is building some serious buzz around The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and he’s not doing it quietly. With Marvel Studios trying to steady its footing after a rocky few years, Hauser’s confident remarks feel like a throwback to the days when each new Marvel release was met with fanfare instead of skepticism.
In an interview with The Direct, Hauser spoke plainly but passionately, declaring, “So I think our movie, Fantastic Four: First Steps, to me, only speaking from my opinion, everything I witnessed and took part in, everything I felt while in the presence of the creatives on the film, I believe we are the Marvel movie of the year. I believe we are the one to watch.” And for a studio in need of a spark, that’s a bold statement.
Hauser didn’t stop there. “I believe that this will go down in history as one of the ones that started a new tide of successful storytelling for the company. Sort of in the same way that Guardians of the Galaxy and Black Panther hit. They both hit in a certain way. I believe we are about to hit,” he said. According to Hauser, the upcoming film has that same kind of potential — a project made with care, clarity, and a sense of purpose from the people behind the camera to those in front of it.
At the same time, he was careful to temper expectations, reminding fans that not every swing hits. “Let’s remember that Marvel is servicing a lot of folks, and they want to make a lot of entertainment for people to enjoy, and none of us are 100%,” None of us are 100%. None of us hit the mark every time,” he said, adding that Marvel, like any studio, is trying to serve a wide audience,” he said. “None of us hit the mark every time. Not a single one of us. Your favorite director has made a less than satisfactory movie. Just facts.”
Hauser’s enthusiasm arrives just as Marvel needs a win. Captain America: Brave New World received a lukewarm reception, earning only a 48% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Fans have pointed to superhero fatigue and inconsistent storytelling as culprits, but Hauser seems unfazed by the discourse.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps marks Marvel’s official reboot of its first family after Disney’s 2019 acquisition of 20th Century Fox. The previous attempt, Josh Trank’s 2015 Fantastic Four, failed to launch a franchise. This time, Marvel appears to be taking a different approach, turning to Matt Shakman, who stepped in to direct after Jon Watts exited the project.
Set in a retro-futuristic version of the 1960s, First Steps stars Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm. The film will also feature Julia Garner as the Silver Surfer and Ralph Ineson as Galactus, who’s set to serve as the movie’s central threat. Hauser’s role remains under wraps.
Production is underway, and excitement is building fast. With Marvel entering Phase 6, The Fantastic Four: First Steps could be the clean slate the studio needs, and Hauser seems ready to bet on it. Whether it lives up to the hype is still unknown, but there’s no denying it now has everyone watching.
Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set to hit cinemas on 24 July 2025.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, and anime — you name it. When she’s not reading or being a dedicated cinephile, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of Caleb from Love and Deepspace.
Kevin Low
HSALS
