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Marvel fans finally got their look at The Fantastic Four: First Steps on February 4, 2025. The 1:37-long trailer offers a look at all the central characters in the movie, including H.E.R.B.I.E. the robot. Also seen in the trailer are the superpowers of the characters, except for Reed Richards' stretching powers. One superpowered character we get to see is The Thing/Ben Grimm played by Ebon Moss-Bachrach.
Unlike the previous versions of the character, Grimm doesn't sound different following his transformation. The very first time we see The Thing is him tasting a dish cooked by H.E.R.B.I.E. While he loves what the robot cooked, The Thing just assures the robot that he is adding garlic to the dish just to add some flavor. This small moment has fans connect the character to Richie Jerimovich from The Bear.
The Bear connection to The Fantastic Four: First Steps explained
Ebon Moss-Bachrach, who plays the character of Richie on The Bear is playing the character of The Thing/Ben Grimm on The Fantastic Four: First Steps. On The Bear, Bachrach is playing a cynical character, Richie, who is the restaurant manager. Richie is a character who regularly clashes with Carmy but will always be by the latter's side.
Ben Grimm is also somewhat of a similar character. Ben Grimm in the Fantastic Four comics has been Reed Richards' best friend since his college days and has worked with him. He joins Richards in the space mission that changed his life, and of all four, he has the worst power because the cosmic rays changed him physically.
However, the rock's appearance matches his character, which is being a rock. Similarly, Reed Richards' stretching powers match his flexible powers, while Sue Storms' invisibility powers match her feelings of being ignored. But she also has the power to create force fields with her powers, suggesting Sue is more powerful than she appears. Johnny Storm conversely, is a hothead, therefore his powers are fire-based.
From the looks of it, The Fantastic Four: First Steps has managed to capture this dynamic from the comics. But fans love that specific moment of The Thing being a chef. In the comments section of the trailer, several fans are linking this small moment to Ebon Moss-Bachrach's character in The Bear. Here are some of the different comments:
@BARTISHERE gives this comment that got 878 likes as of now:
"Richie from "The Bear" got a new cooking gig, nice!"
Another comment by a different user called @isaiahvoss has 12k likes for now. Their comment reads:
"Richie from The Bear critiquing Herbie is the cutest thing ever!"
What is The Fantastic Four: First Steps about?
Based on the Fantastic Four, also regarded as Marvel's "First Family" The Fantastic Four: First Steps is different from other MCU entries. This movie is differentiated by the fact that rather than being a part of the usual Marvel Cinematic Universe Earth, First Steps is set in an alternate universe. The official synopsis for the movie reads:
"Set against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, Marvel Studios’ 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' introduces Marvel’s First Family—Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Johnny Storm/Human Torch and Ben Grimm/The Thing as they face their most daunting challenge yet."
Something happens at the end of this movie, which makes the Fantastic Four appear in the movies, Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. Fans are also hoping that Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom will be from the same universe as the Fantastic Four.
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Did you get the unintentional Richie Jerimovich reference in the The Fantastic Four: First Steps trailer? If you haven't seen The Bear, catch the three seasons on Hulu.
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