Simply while you thought nothing might steal the highlight from Julia Garner’s ridiculously modern Silver Surfer or Ralph Ineson because the planet-devouring large Galactus in “The Incredible 4: First Steps,” it appears the movie’s model of Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) has gone and grown himself a beard. You possibly can see as a lot within the newly-unveiled remaining trailer for “First Steps,” which supplies the hardest, roughest member of Marvel’s First Household extra consideration than we have seen in previous previews (together with the one which lastly revealed Pedro Pascal in motion as Reed Richards).
Judging by this new promo, it appears the Factor — who’s recognized for, amongst different issues, his piercing blue eyes and catchphrase “It is clobberin’ time!” — can be each the center of “First Steps” and the butt of lots of its jokes, simply as he was within the earlier live-action “Incredible 4” motion pictures. And whereas “First Steps” goal to vary issues up from these movies by skipping over the 4’s origin story, it seems that Ben remains to be only a misunderstood man who’s been became a “monster” and is merely attempting to get by.
Be that as it might, that beard of his is a reasonably jarring sight, even within the context of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Like, how does one even cope with rocky facial hair? Is it greater than only a easy comb and clippers scenario, perhaps requiring a hammer and chisel as an alternative? The place does his beard truly start and finish? ( It is too unhealthy Wolverine apparently is not round to give him a serving to hand.) Extra importantly, because the trailer footage exhibits Ben trying clean-shaven at one other time limit, does this imply he’ll be taking a protracted break from superhero-ing to develop out his beard within the movie?
Maybe we must always look to the comics to shed some mild on the scenario.
Sure, The Factor can and has grown a beard within the Incredible 4 comics
It is onerous not to attract consideration to your self while you’re a strolling pile of rocks, so including a beard will most likely solely make issues worse. Actually, although, we’re not so involved about Ben’s alternative of facial hair, however relatively how lengthy it takes to develop his stalactite-like formation. Because it seems, the reply might lie within the comics, particularly with a somber scene set lots of of years sooner or later.
In “Incredible 4” #605, Reed Richards and his time-traveling father, Nathaniel Richards, head into the long run to be taught the lifespan of Reed’s finest good friend Ben, who they uncover lives for hundreds of years, far outlasting the remainder of his superhero household. Ultimately, the 2 Richards journey to the 12 months 5012, the place they meet up with a closely bearded Factor who’s mourning the lack of his pals and is ready for the return of Reed and Sue Storm’s son Franklin (who has been off-world for a really lengthy and solely comes again 1000 years later when Ben lastly passes).
Whereas we all know that outer area performs an enormous position in “The Incredible 4: First Steps” (what with the approaching of Galactus and all), might Ben’s beard trace at a time-travel subplot getting shoehorned into the movie as properly? In that case, it could make sense that the one member of the 4 who (actually) ages like stone will discover himself returning to the current with a brand new look. This might even have main implications for that “Thunderbolts*” post-credits scene and the way “First Steps” will additional pave the way in which for “Avengers: Doomsday.” Hopefully, we’ll be getting some good solutions when “The Incredible 4: First Steps” hits theaters on July 25, 2025.
