How did The Fantastic Four get their powers? Comic book origins explained as First Steps trailer goes viral

The Fantastic Four First Steps is one of the most anticipated superhero films of 2025. This Matt Shakman directorial is scheduled to be released on July 25, 2025. Produced by Kevin Feige from Marvel Studios, it is the second in the line of Fantastic Four reboots.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps stars Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn, among others. The official synopsis of the film reads:

Marvel's First Family 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 and his herald, Silver Surfer.

As the release date is nearing, fans of the film are excited to know how all the superheroes got their powers. Let's explore.

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How did the superheroes of The Fantastic Four: First Steps get their powers?

It all started in 1961 with the first edition of The Fantastic Four comic series. It followed scientists named Johnny Storm, Sue Storm, Reed Richards, and Ben Grimm as they got inside a space shuttle. This was during the Cold War space race era.

Due to them coming in contact with the cosmic rays, they all land back on earth with superpowers and combine to form a team.

Reed Richards - Able to stretch himself like a rubber and can take on any impact.

Sue Storm - Sue gains the power to go invisible due to her ability to dodge light fields. She can also create or manipulate forcefields at any point.

Johny Storm - He is the younger brother of Sue and is transformed into the Human torch due to the cosmic rays. Johny is able to generate fire from his body.

Ben Grimm - Grimm turns into a rock, making the effect on him more visible. This gives him super strength despite affecting his personal life.

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More about The Fantastic Four: First Steps

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is helmed by Matt Shakman, while the script is written by Jeff Kaplan, Peter Cameron, Ian Springer, Cameron Squires, Eric Pearson, and Josh Friedman. It will be the 37th entry in the long-running Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps will be released on July 25, 2025, by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. In 2022, Feige stated that the film will not be an origin story.

“A lot of people know this origin story. A lot of people know the basics. How do we take that and bring something that they’ve never seen before? We’ve set a very high bar for ourselves with bringing that to the screen.”

Are you excited to watch the upcoming Fantastic Four film in theaters?

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