Marvel’s Fantastic Four: First Steps is gearing up to be a fresh, exciting take on the MCU’s First Family, and a new Empire Magazine feature spills a fun behind-the-scenes tidbit: a rock named Jennifer played a big role in bringing The Thing to life. Hitting theaters on July 25, 2025, this reboot, directed by Matt Shakman, stars Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing. The quirky story of Jennifer the Rock is stealing the show as fans get hyped for this cosmic adventure.
Set in a vibrant, ‘60s-inspired world, The Fantastic Four: First Steps picks up four years after the team gets their powers, throwing them into a high-stakes battle against Galactus, the planet-munching cosmic baddie played by Ralph Ineson. Julia Garner pops in as Shalla-Bal, the Silver Surfer, with Natasha Lyonne, John Malkovich, and Paul Walter Hauser adding some extra flair to the cast. But the real gem from Empire’s coverage is how the team tackled The Thing, aka Ben Grimm, with a little help from a rock named Jennifer.
To make Ben’s rocky, hulking look feel real, the crew used Jennifer as a stand-in on set. “We filmed it in every shot where The Thing shows up, under all kinds of lighting,” Shakman shared. This helped everyone nail the character’s size and texture before Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s motion-capture performance and CGI brought him fully to life. Naming the rock Jennifer adds a playful vibe, almost like a nod to Ben’s big heart beneath his tough, craggy exterior. It’s a smart mix of old-school filmmaking and modern tech, fitting the movie’s retro-futuristic style, complete with practical sets, miniatures, and vintage lenses for a Stanley Kubrick-esque feel.
The story follows Reed, Sue, Johnny, and Ben as they face off against Galactus, with the Baxter Building and the Fantasticar setting the stage for some epic action. Empire also teases fan-favorite H.E.R.B.I.E., the team’s adorable robot buddy, and hints at Franklin Richards, Reed and Sue’s kid, who might bring his own superpowered twist. The film’s got a lot riding on it as the kickoff to MCU’s Phase 6, leading into Avengers: Doomsday, and Shakman’s clearly pouring everything into making it special.
Using Jennifer the rock shows how much thought went into getting The Thing just right, capturing Ben’s mix of strength and vulnerability. With a killer cast and a vibe that screams comic-book love, Fantastic Four: First Steps is shaping up to be the big-screen win Marvel’s First Family has been waiting for. Mark your calendars for July 25, 2025—this one’s gonna rock, thanks to Jennifer and the whole crew.
Source: Empire