Fantastic Four's Reboot Just Made the Same Mistake Twice
Marvel's upcoming Fantastic Four reboot doesn't hit theaters until July 25, but it's already raising eyebrows—for the exact same reason it got mocked back in the comics: they've shuffled the team leadership again, and fans aren't thrilled.
In the recently relaunched Fantastic Four #1, Sue Storm outright declares, "I lead the team," marking a clear shift away from Reed Richards' traditional role. She says:
"And that's me, Sue Storm, the invisible woman. I bend light and energy and I make force fields with my mind. I lead the team. We're the Fantastic Four. I brought us here because Dr. Doom has taken over the planet and today we're going to stop him."
It might seem like a minor tweak in the comics, but fans quickly connected the change to rumors that the new film version will make Sue Storm the de facto leader, pushing Reed Richards into the background. According to multiple leaks, several actors reportedly passed on the role of Reed because of how underwritten he was in the script. Pedro Pascal ultimately took the part.
At the same time, speculation about the film's ending has circulated online, suggesting that Sue and a female Silver Surfer have the climactic arc, while Reed and Ben Grimm are essentially sidelined. It's unconfirmed, but it fits the narrative shift some fans are already reacting to.
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Meanwhile, here's what we know about the film's box office projections:
Opening Weekend Forecast (as of mid-June):
- Domestic: $125M–$155M
- International: Around $100M
- Projected Global Opening Total: $225M–$255M
Those numbers are solid—but not explosive. For comparison, Superman is tracking slightly higher, with projections in the $140M–$185M range domestically, plus additional global gains.
Studios are watching both films closely. If Fantastic Four and Superman underperform, it could confirm what many industry insiders suspect: superhero fatigue is here, and the "cape era" might be winding down.
Right now, all eyes are on the second weekend. As with most major tentpoles in 2025, box office legs and word-of-mouth will decide the film's real fate. Marvel's hoping nostalgia and curiosity are enough to carry this reboot past its awkward comic book déjà vu.
We'll see if this new Fantastic Four can stick the landing—or if it stretches itself too thin.