‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Actors Julia Garner And Ralph Ineson Chat About The Retro-Futuristic Design Of The Marvel Movie

Anyone who has seen the trailers for Matt Shakman’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps instantly sees how it looks different from any other superhero film today.

The reason for this is that it takes place in an alternate version of the 1960s that is more technologically advanced, and this is what gives it a retro-futuristic type of aesthetic. Plus, it also helps to have a one-of-a-kind genius like Reed Richards in that timeline, of course.

Speaking to Julia Garner and Ralph Ineson, who play Shalla-Bal/Silver Surfer and Galactus respectively, I brought up how The Fantastic Four: First Steps looks like a live-action version of The Jetsons at first glance, and they both laughed at the comparison. In addition, they elaborated on what it was like seeing those sets come to life in real time.

Ineson admitted that his work as Galactus largely took place against a white screen – in full body armor, though – so he didn’t get to experience much of the sets as regularly as the rest of his castmates. “There was one set, which is on Galactus’ Worldship, which was impressive, but most of my stuff was against the white screen,” he said. “But the very first day we went to do the table read, we all met up, did a bit of rehearsal, and we were taken around the sets. So, we were driven around Yancy Street and Times Square and everything. It’s just amazing.”

Discussing the experience unlocked a happy memory of Ineson’s time as a Ravager pilot in James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy, and he shared what it’s like to be a part of a Marvel production. “Twelve years ago, I worked on Guardians of the Galaxy, and got a chance to do a bit more set work on a Marvel movie,” Ineson said. “And they are just incredible – the design and the quality of the prosthetics. At one point, I’m walking around and there’s a dog in a spacesuit with a prop on his face.”

“It’s crazy,” Garner added with a laugh.

“Yeah, it’s an amazing, amazing world to go into,” Ineson said. “And this one, particularly with that beautiful kind of almost Art Deco wood and brass finishes on all that stuff… Yeah, it’s really designed gorgeously.”

As Shalla-Bal, Garner zipped around various locations and sets as the Silver Surfer in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. She also agreed with Ineson that it was a – pardon the pun – marvelous and unforgettable experience. “Yeah, it was beautiful to go to work every single day,” Garner said. “The combination between the set design, the scale of the set, and also just shooting in Pinewood was really magical. Just the combination of everything. Just like pinch me moments.”

Shakman and his team created a unique-looking Marvel movie, that’s for sure. It doesn’t only rely on CGI, but also a practical set that makes everyone believe that this retro-futuristic world could exist. Who wants to bet good money that a live-action Jetsons movie gets made if The Fantastic Four: First Steps makes serious money at the box office?

The Fantastic Four: First Steps stretches its way into theaters on July 25.