Bachrach, Joseph Quinn and Julia Garner also star in Matt Shakman’s superhero adventure, in which the team must save Earth from a “Devourer of Worlds.”

As seen in a recent trailer for First Steps, “It’s clobbering time!” is the in-universe catchphrase of the Thing’s cartoon character, but not the actual character played by Ebon Moss-Bachrach. In fact,

First Steps are absolutely fantastic. Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps releases in United States theaters this weekend. Directed by Matt Shakman, the MCU flick stars Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards,

A helpful guide on what new releases to watch, including movies in theaters, on streaming or available to rent or buy on digital and on-demand.

Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn star in Marvel's latest, out July 25.

But it was a little odd to hear that Marvel also planned to make the Fantastic Four a major part of the MCU’s future. Even though the Fantastic Four have always been prominent in Marvel’s comics, the characters — created by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee — had never translated well to the big screen.

It’s box office clobberin’ time — or so Marvel hopes. “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” the 37th installment in Disney’s Marvel Cinematic Universe and third to release in 2025, is aiming for $100 million to $110 million in its opening weekend.

Despite strong performances by Pedro Pascal and others – and for all its "breezy competence and flair" – this retro vision of the future from Marvel doesn't have enough suspense.