Ah, I remember the 1960s like it was just yesterday. (Disclaimer: I absolutely do not, this is a lie.) The Space Race was in full force, the Vietnam War raged on with no signs of putting a stop to the bloodshed, and comic books — like much of pop culture entertainment overall — struggled to keep up with a world that was seemingly changing by the second. This was the era into which a certain comic issue titled “The Fantastic Four #1” made its debut in 1961 and changed the medium forever. Although the strength of these characters came from their potent mix of differing personalities, superpowers, and worldviews, it was the ’60s of it all that added an extra oomph.
Fast forward to 2024 and it’s no wonder why a 1963 LIFE Magazine cover depicting then-President Lyndon B. Johnson at the White House (you can take a gander at the cover here and see the similarities for yourself) would feel like such a big hint. There’s also Pedro Pascal’s Instagram post in which he cites a famous 1960s Beatles song, if you want some cheekier evidence. The implication from the cover is that this movie could very well take place in the early ’60s. As for what storylines the movie might tackle, well, that’s a little more difficult to figure out. Though it remains to be seen if the MCU would lay out the Fantastic Four’s origin story all over again, it would make sense to incorporate contemporary world events at the time — again, assuming this Easter egg pans out. Maybe don’t hold your breath for a Mole Man appearance … but, then again, who knows!
“The Fantastic Four” blazes into theaters July 25, 2025.