When it comes to bringing a new superhero to the silver screen, there’s an unwritten expectation that the first film must delve into the origin story. This narrative, which can be covered in just a few pages of a comic book, often stretches to dominate the initial hour of a film, leading audiences to grow weary of the repeated formula. Back in the early 2000s, superhero movie posters frequently showcased the iconic costume, but viewers typically had to wait until the climax to see it in action. As the superhero genre has evolved over the years, filmmakers are now catering to a more seasoned audience, prompting a necessary disruption of the traditional storytelling structure.

Interestingly, the film Blade was innovative for its time, covering the protagonist’s origins briefly before immersing viewers in action. In contrast, nearly every major superhero film from the early 2000s relied on a lengthy origin narrative. Movies like The Fantastic Four: First Steps and Superman adeptly skim over the heroes’ beginnings, and this shift is undeniably beneficial for audiences. After numerous iterations of these beloved characters over the years, Hollywood is finally starting to trust that fans are familiar enough with their backgrounds.

Transforming Superhero Narratives by Skipping the Origin Story

From Spider-Man and X-Men to Batman Begins and Daredevil, every initial installment has traditionally commenced with an origin tale, even in reboots like Man of Steel and The Amazing Spider-Man. Fast forward twenty years, and audiences have witnessed enough origin stories to last a lifetime. In the past, filmmakers often had to wait until sequels to explore a fully developed superhero, but this frustrating trend is finally seeing a shift. Jon Watts, who was initially set to direct Fantastic Four: First Steps, previously took a bold approach with Spider-Man: Homecoming, where he cleverly bypassed Peter Parker’s (Tom Holland) origin tale to present a more complete story featuring our beloved hero as he truly is. The trend of avoiding origin stories is becoming increasingly common, and it’s proving to be a wise decision.

On the occasions when Marvel and DC choose to bypass the origin story, the outcomes often lead to their most successful reimagining of iconic superheroes. For instance, in the opening minutes of The Batman, Bruce Wayne (Robert Pattinson) mentions he is two years into his role as the Caped Crusader. Similarly, James Gunn establishes that Clark Kent (David Corenswet) is already three years into his superhero journey in the introduction of the new Superman. Within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), only two prominent superheroes have entirely skipped their origin tales—Black Panther and Spider-Man—both of whom have risen to become two of the highest-grossing heroes in the franchise. This trend indicates that filmmakers are increasingly trusting their audience, refraining from spoon-feeding every minor detail, which is a welcome change. More importantly, this shift is translating into substantial financial success for these films, capturing the attention of studio executives.

Previous Fantastic Four Origin Tales Complicate New Storytelling

Two previous cinematic adaptations of The Fantastic Four have unfolded, making a third iteration unnecessary. First Steps cleverly opts to summarize the essential elements in a brief opening montage before diving into the main storyline. The 2005 film Fantastic Four was emblematic of its era, filled with charm, humor, and a few deviations from the source material. While it had a delightful appeal, it, like many origin stories from that time, focused primarily on the team discovering and learning to accept their powers. Audiences had to wait until Rise of the Silver Surfer to witness the characters evolve further. Although Rise of the Silver Surfer shares thematic similarities with First Steps, it allowed the team to develop, showcasing personal struggles and growth. Sue (Jessica Alba) and Reed (Ioan Gruffudd) navigate their marriage, Ben (Michael Chiklis) confronts his mutation and builds a relationship with Alicia (Kerry Washington), while Johnny (Chris Evans) matures, displaying surprising selflessness in the film’s climax. The film even took the time to explore the Silver Surfer’s character, presenting him as a tragic but redeemable figure. First Steps capitalizes on the strengths of a film that was largely criticized and builds upon them.

The 2015 reboot of Fantastic Four exemplifies the challenges associated with extensive origin stories better than any other superhero film. Josh Trank had a promising vision, intending to portray the team’s transformation as a horrifying, gritty experience filled with body horror and government experimentation. Unfortunately, the film’s lengthy runtime became bogged down in a convoluted origin narrative. The team doesn’t even acquire their powers until fifty minutes into the movie, with the remaining forty-five minutes focused on their struggles to adapt while evading capture. However, First Steps successfully breaks away from this restrictive mold.

‘First Steps’ Allows for Depth and Maturity in Character Development

In the upcoming MCU film, The Fantastic Four is portrayed as an established entity in the universe. They are not merely a group of superheroes; they have become cultural icons, complete with merchandise and devoted fans. They are a cohesive team with rich personal lives and complex challenges. The movie offers a succinct recap of their origin in the first few minutes, seamlessly transitioning the narrative into new territory. Similar to Rise of the Silver Surfer, the characters are given space to develop. Sue (Vanessa Kirby) and Reed (Pedro Pascal) are not only married but are also expecting a child. This addition of a baby elevates the concept of a found family into a tangible, real family dynamic, introducing new stakes into the narrative. The standard quest of saving the world takes on a more personal meaning, especially for the audience who can relate to the emotional weight of impending parenthood.

Going beyond Sue and Reed, Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) is finally given the opportunity to shine as a multifaceted character. Previous adaptations have often reduced Ben to merely the team’s muscle, neglecting to highlight his intelligence and leadership abilities that are evident in the comics. In the comics, Ben is as brilliant as Reed and has the potential to be a strong leader. However, origin stories often deny him the space to express his full character depth. First Steps showcases his intellect alongside his physicality, exploring his struggles with the trauma from his transformation and his attempts to accept his new identity. While audiences eagerly awaited Bruce Banner’s (Mark Ruffalo) journey of self-acceptance in the Avengers films, much of his character development occurred off-screen. First Steps seizes the chance to delve into the man vs. monster conflict within Ben Grimm, a narrative opportunity that could not have been explored had the film been trapped in an exhaustive origin story.

By condensing the origin story into a brief montage, First Steps opens up a wealth of storytelling opportunities that distinguish it from its predecessors. Finally, The Fantastic Four have the chance to develop as characters, introducing audiences to facets of the team that have remained largely unexplored in previous adaptations. After numerous reboots—including three Spider-Men, four Supermen, and multiple Batmans—studios are beginning to trust that viewers are capable of grasping the essentials of most superheroes’ backgrounds. This newfound trust from Hollywood’s top filmmakers offers hope that we are moving beyond a two-decade trend of obligatory superhero origin stories.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is currently screening in theaters.