Marvel is taking a bold new direction with its upcoming Fantastic Four: First Steps movie by positioning Sue Storm, played by Vanessa Kirby, at the center of the narrative. While earlier adaptations of Sue, like Jessica Alba’s portrayal, were often sidelined, this iteration promises a richer, more nuanced character arc rooted in family dynamics and emotional depth.

As per Producer Grant Curtis, “It’s all about family.” Drawing inspiration from a recent What If…? comic storyline that delves into the family dimension of the Fantastic Four, this revival leans into leadership, vulnerability, and partnership, allowing Sue to evolve beyond the traditional female sidekick into a character with genuine emotional stakes and agency.

How Vanessa Kirby and the creative team are evolving Sue’s legacy

In the past, Sue Storm has often been sidelined, either depicted as the emotional anchor with little agency or, worse, relegated to outdated gender stereotypes. The early 2000s iterations, for instance, leaned into aesthetics over substance, making her more of a passive participant than a true equal among the Fantastic Four. But that’s changing.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps | Credit: Marvel Studios

Marvel Studios’ upcoming The Fantastic Four: First Steps promises a complete tonal shift, anchored by Vanessa Kirby’s emotionally nuanced portrayal. Drawing inspiration from a recent What If…? storyline in which Sue’s absence leads to the team’s collapse, the MCU appears to be finally recognizing her deeper narrative weight.

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Producer Grant Curtis has emphasized her as the glue holding the team together. He has confirmed that in this version, it’s Sue who acts as the decision-maker, the heart, and the real leader of Marvel’s first family.

Vanessa Kirby and Pedro Pascal in a still from The Fantastic Four: First Steps | Credits: Marvel Studios

This change brings balance to the group dynamic and reflects a broader push within the MCU to course-correct underwritten female characters. Kirby is also excited about this new chapter, even though the news of her pregnancy has made some fans worry about her performance.

During a conversation with Collider, she recalled laughing with co-star Pedro Pascal after seeing an early comic version where Sue was given a new dress to tone down her “complaining.” It’s a fresh new direction that is better suited for the progressive world of today.

Vanessa Kirby and Pedro Pascal’s on-screen dynamic could set a new standard for superhero partnerships

This new take on the Fantastic Four doesn’t just revolve around stronger individual character arcs; it thrives on the emotional bond between its leads. Kirby’s Sue Storm is not only a mother and a superhero but a fully realized individual whose vulnerability and leadership are respected within the narrative.

Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman | Credits: Marvel Studios

Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards is positioned not as a dominating genius but as an equal partner who enhances rather than overshadows her journey. Their chemistry in promotional interviews already signals a grounded, emotionally intelligent relationship that could redefine how romantic dynamics are portrayed in superhero films. Kirby is excited about sharing the screen with Pascal and has called it a unique experience (via Collider).

“I’ve never had a male actor as a counterpart who’s been so utterly equal and supportive of the relationship, but also the female character opposite him. I just feel so grateful every day to have an actor like Pedro who is so generous.”

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Pascal, on the other hand, is happy to be a part of Sue’s journey. More importantly, he has no issue with being led by a dominant character.

“I love being led in a way. What you may identify as generosity for me, it just isn’t. I’m only inspired by… I guess just powerful women have been the thing that has gotten me through being alive. So, to have the opportunity to stand by one, to learn from one — just a partner, it’s partnership; it’s male and female, but it’s also just a kind of transcendent sort of partnership in the work and in the characters.”

By placing Sue Storm at the center of this reboot and grounding the family in emotional realism, Marvel might finally deliver a version of the Fantastic Four that lives up to its legacy. With Kirby leading the charge, this new chapter feels personal, powerful, and long overdue.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is scheduled to release on July 25th, 2025 (USA).
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