Paul Walter Hauser is making his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut in this summer's "The Fantastic Four: First Steps," and he's already making quite the vow to Marvel fans. Speaking to The Direct to promote his upcoming movie "The Luckiest Man in America," Hauser all but guaranteed that "Fantastic Four" will get Marvel back on track after its recent ups-and-downs at the box office.
"Let's remember that Marvel is servicing a lot of folks, and they want to make a lot of entertainment for people to enjoy, and none of us are 100%," Hauser said. "None of us hit the mark every time. Not a single one of us. Your favorite director has made a less than satisfactory movie. Just facts."
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"So I think our movie, 'Fantastic Four: First Steps,' to me, only speaking from my opinion, everything I witnessed and took part in, everything I felt while in the presence of the creatives on the film, I believe we are the Marvel movie of the year. I believe we are the one to watch," he added. ""And I believe that this will go down in history as one of the ones that started a new tide of successful storytelling for the company. Sort of in the same way the 'Guardians of the Galaxy' and 'Black Panther' hit. They both hit in a certain way. I believe we are about to hit."
Marvel has already suffered one box office disappointment this year with "Captain America: Brave New World," which has grossed $401 million worldwide, and its got "Thunderbolts" and "Fantastic Four" up next this year on its theatrical release calendar. Despite the billion dollar success of last year's "Deadpool and Wolverine," Marvel has experienced rare box office missteps in recent years with 2023 duds like "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" and "The Marvels." According to Hauser, "Fantastic Four" won't likely suffer a similar fate.
"The Fantastic Four: First Steps" is directed by Adam Shakman and stars Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as the eponymous foursome. Ralph Ineson and Julia Garner are playing the villains Galactus and Silver Surfer, respectively, while Hauser and John Malkovich have mystery roles.
"Fantastic Four" opens in theaters July 25 from Marvel and Disney.