On August 3, 2025, Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps faced a devastating 67% drop in its second weekend at the box office, grossing just $40 million domestically compared to its $117.6 million opening, according to Variety. This steep decline, one of the sharpest in Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) history, has raised alarms about the film’s financial viability and threatened a $170 million media partnership with major brands, including LEGO and Fortnite, that was banking on the film’s success. Directed by Matt Shakman and starring Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, the film was poised to revitalize the MCU but now faces scrutiny over its performance, casting controversies, and Disney’s broader struggles. This article explores the box office collapse, the impact on the media partnership, and the implications for Marvel’s future.

A Promising Start Derailed by a Steep Drop

The Fantastic Four: First Steps, released on July 25, 2025, was heralded as a cornerstone of Marvel’s Phase 5, introducing the iconic superhero team with a 1960s retro aesthetic and a high-profile cast. The film, which follows Reed Richards (Pascal), Sue Storm (Kirby), Johnny Storm (Quinn), and Ben Grimm (Moss-Bachrach) as they battle Galactus (Ralph Ineson), opened to a solid $117.6 million domestically and $218 million globally, setting a record for Marvel’s biggest opening of 2025, per Deadline. Early reactions praised its “breathtaking” visuals and “excellent” performances, with Variety noting its $28,606 per-theater average as a strong start for an MCU film.

However, the second weekend told a different story. The film plummeted 67.1% domestically to $40 million, a drop steeper than Thor: Love and Thunder (67.7%) and Captain America: Brave New World (68.3%), and only slightly better than The Marvels (78%), according to Boxoffice Pro. Globally, it reached $368 million after 10 days, but the sharp decline raised concerns about its ability to hit the $500 million mark needed to break even on its reported $350 million budget, per Forbes. Saturday estimates showed an 80% drop from the previous Friday’s $33.2 million to $11.7 million, signaling weak word-of-mouth despite an “A-” audience score, as reported by Den of Geek.

The drop was particularly alarming given the competition. James Gunn’s Superman, with a 53.2% second-weekend drop and $527 million globally, outperformed Fantastic Four, while The Bad Guys 2 ($22.8 million) and The Naked Gun ($17 million) drew audiences in their opening weekends, per TheWrap. The film’s frontloaded performance, with 48.3% of its opening weekend gross from Thursday/Friday, mirrored Thor: Love and Thunder’s trajectory, which still reached $343 million domestically, but analysts doubt Fantastic Four will achieve similar legs, projecting a domestic total under $300 million, per Rotten Tomatoes.

The $170M Media Partnership at Risk

The box office collapse has put a $170 million media partnership in jeopardy, according to YouTube sources like @ClownWorld_. The deal, involving brands like LEGO, Fortnite, and Wizards of the Coast, was designed to capitalize on the film’s expected success through merchandise, in-game skins, and promotional tie-ins. Marvel’s X posts hyped the partnership, with @Marvel announcing Fantastic Four Fortnite skins on July 26, 2025, and a LEGO set on July 29, alongside a Magic: The Gathering collaboration. These initiatives, estimated to contribute $170 million in revenue, relied on sustained audience enthusiasm, which the 67% drop has undermined.

The partnership’s success hinged on the film’s ability to drive consumer engagement, but the box office slump suggests waning interest. LEGO’s Fantastic Four set, promoted as “build the action, display the legends,” risks overstock if sales falter, while Fortnite’s skins, launched with a “pom-pom wave” at San Diego Comic-Con, may see reduced purchases, per Marvel’s posts. The Magic: The Gathering tie-in, tied to Spider-Man but linked to Marvel’s broader 2025 campaign, could also suffer from the negative buzz. Analysts on X, like @El_Jefe_Mayor, warned that “Disney’s Marvel is bleeding money on these deals when fans don’t show up,” pointing to the partnership’s vulnerability.

Casting Controversies and “Woke” Backlash

The film’s struggles have been compounded by controversies over its casting and perceived “woke” agenda. Julia Garner’s role as Shalla-Bal/Silver Surfer, a female iteration of the comic character, sparked backlash from fans who preferred Norrin Radd, with X posts like @HardPass4 labeling it “another Disney woke flop.” Pedro Pascal’s casting as Reed Richards also drew criticism, with some fans citing his age (50) and progressive activism as missteps. Pascal’s August 2 press event response, where he dismissed “woke” complaints as “fear of change” and defended Garner’s casting, reportedly infuriated Disney CEO Bob Iger, per Bleeding Fool. His comments, shared by @PhaseHero on X, went viral, with supporters like @mmdisney200 praising his candor, while critics like @LanSharty warned, “Pedro’s mouth is tanking this film.”

The backlash echoes Disney’s recent challenges with The Acolyte and Snow White, which faced similar accusations of prioritizing diversity over storytelling. Snow White’s $184.9 million global gross against a $240–270 million budget, driven partly by Rachel Zegler’s polarizing comments, set a precedent for Fantastic Four’s struggles, per The Hollywood Reporter. Disney’s attempt to distance itself from culture wars, as articulated by Iger in 2024, has been tested by Pascal’s outspokenness, with sources claiming Iger held an emergency meeting with Kevin Feige to mitigate the fallout.

Disney’s Broader MCU Struggles

The 67% drop reflects deeper issues within the MCU, which has faced a string of underperformers in 2025. Captain America: Brave New World ($415 million globally) and Thunderbolts ($382 million) fell short of expectations, while The Marvels ($206 million) remains a low point, per Variety. Fantastic Four’s $368 million global total after 10 days is stronger than these, but its trajectory suggests it may not reach the $600 million benchmark achieved by Superman, per Boxoffice Pro. The MCU’s post-pandemic inconsistency, coupled with reported $15 million budget cuts during production, has fueled perceptions of a “superhero fatigue” crisis, as noted by Den of Geek.

Iger’s frustration, reported by YouTube channels like @ClownWorld_, stems from Disney’s high-stakes investment in Fantastic Four as a setup for Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars. The film’s integration of Dr. Doom and the Fantastic Four into the MCU post-Disney-Fox merger was meant to rival Spider-Man’s success, but its performance raises questions about Marvel’s ability to sustain audience trust, per Polygon. Iger’s push for profitability over political engagement has been challenged by the polarized reactions, with X users like @T_fuckn_Rich arguing, “Disney’s gotta stop letting stars like Pascal talk politics.”

Fan and Critical Reactions

Despite the box office drop, Fantastic Four retains a loyal fanbase, with early screenings earning an “A-” CinemaScore and praise for its retro aesthetic and performances, per Rotten Tomatoes. Fans on Reddit’s r/marvelstudios lauded Pascal and Kirby’s chemistry, with @AndrewJ626 calling it a “return to form,” though others, like @HardPass4, criticized its “forced diversity.” The film’s 62% Rotten Tomatoes score reflects mixed reviews, with Consequence’s Liz Shannon Miller praising its visuals but others, like ABC News, calling it a “rehash” of past MCU films.

Social media reactions highlight the divide. Supporters on X, like @sw_holocron, defended Pascal, stating, “He’s standing up for the film and his co-stars. That’s leadership.” Critics, however, amplified the “woke” narrative, with @RICINDOYLER tweeting, “Pascal’s comments didn’t help. Fans want heroes, not lectures.” The controversy has overshadowed the film’s achievements, including its record-breaking opening and innovative use of practical effects, as noted by Variety.

Implications for Marvel’s Future

The 67% box office drop and threatened $170 million media partnership pose significant challenges for Marvel. The film’s performance could impact plans for Avengers: Doomsday, where the Fantastic Four are expected to play a key role, per Polygon. Disney’s decision to greenlight a sequel, announced at San Diego Comic-Con, may hinge on international grosses, with The Naked Gun earning $11.5 million in 46 markets, per Boxoffice Pro.

Pascal’s role as Reed Richards remains secure, with Netflix Junkie debunking rumors of his firing, but his comments have highlighted tensions within Disney’s strategy. Iger’s reported anger reflects the pressure to stabilize the MCU amid competition from DC’s Superman and upcoming films like Spider-Man 4. The Fantastic Four’s trajectory suggests a need for Marvel to recalibrate, possibly by addressing fan concerns while maintaining creative risks, as seen in the film’s comic-accurate Shalla-Bal casting.

A Critical Moment for Disney

The Fantastic Four: First Steps’s 67% box office drop is a wake-up call for Disney and Marvel, threatening a $170 million media partnership and exposing fault lines in the MCU’s strategy. Pedro Pascal’s defiant response to “woke” backlash, while resonating with some fans, has complicated Disney’s efforts to navigate cultural divides, leaving Iger grappling with a high-stakes crisis. As the film limps toward a projected $400–500 million global total, its legacy may be defined not by its opening triumph but by its struggle to maintain momentum. For Marvel’s First Family, the path to redemption lies in winning back audiences—a challenge as daunting as facing Galactus himself.