Fresh Footage From Marvel’s Next Release Just Solved The 2015 Disaster’s Biggest Problem

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The newest footage for The Fantastic Four: First Steps has already rectified my biggest issue with 2015’s Fantastic Four. As far as unwatchable superhero movies go, 2015’s Fantastic Four is near the top of the list. The story fails in a lot of aspects, with many hoping the MCU’s Fantastic Four: First Steps will be an improvement.

The ending of 2015’s Fantastic Four sums up a lot of the movie’s problems. In what has now become an infamous scene, the four heroes try to come up with a team name. I won’t deny that this scene does typify a lot of Fantastic Four‘s issues, from bad writing to poor cast chemistry.

However, I have another issue with the movie that is perhaps its biggest sin, that other upcoming Marvel movies featuring the team, such as Avengers: Doomsday, will hopefully avoid this. Thankfully, I do not have to worry about The Fantastic Four: First Steps, with new footage from the movie convincing me it has already avoided the problem in question.

2015’s Fantastic Four Sadly Sidelines The Thing

Ben Grimm Has A Tiny Role In 2015’s Fantastic Four

Ben Grimm's Thing in 2015's Fantastic Four looking offscreen

The issue I have with Fantastic Four is just how much it underuses Ben Grimm/The Thing. The film opens with Ben having a fairly important role as Reed Richards’ reluctant helper, with Fantastic Four highlighting how the two grew up together. After Reed gets a scholarship at the Baxter Building, though, Ben disappears and stays behind.

For almost the entire second act of the film, Ben is left out. He is only involved once more when Reed decides to bring Ben with him to another dimension. Even after becoming The Thing, though, Fantastic Four does not give him much of a presence.

This gives Ben almost no chemistry or connection to the other members of the team…

The Thing is used as a mercenary in the latter half of Fantastic Four, often off on his own missions and not interacting with Reed, Sue, or Johnny. This gives Ben almost no chemistry or connection to the other members of the team, save for his earlier friendship with Reed. As a result, a founding member of the titular team is sidelined in Fantastic Four.

Ben Is A Much More Integral Part Of The Family

The Thing smiling at Sue in The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)

Thankfully, we won’t have to see Ben Grimm sidelined in The Fantastic Four: First Steps‘ cast. Played by Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Ben Grimm will be a central member of the upcoming MCU movie, which has already proven it will not repeat the 2015 version’s mistakes. This was proven by a recent clip, titled “Sunday Dinner.”

The clip shows Johnny and Ben finding out that Sue is pregnant, giving much more emotion and depth to Ben than Fantastic Four provided. For instance, Ben is the one wondering why Sue and Reed are late for dinner. Later, Ben smiles at Sue and is attentive enough to realise she is pregnant before giving her a hug.

All of this proves how Ben will be a central member of the titular team, as he always should be. Fantastic Four failed to present that in 2015, but The Fantastic Four: First Steps will rectify this and then some.