Marvel’s new Fantastic Four: First Steps trailer is packed with subtle fan-pleasing Easter eggs and callbacks. One standout scene shows the team in matching uniforms on a stage under a giant “4” logo – a clear homage to The Beatles’ iconic 1964 Ed Sullivan Show performance. This retro concert shot suggests Marvel is playing with a 1960s aesthetic, implying the Four’s rise to fame was akin to Beatlemania. In the same vein, the trailer features the team guesting on a fictional variety show called The Ted Gilbert Show, another nod to vintage TV. “Ted Gilbert” likely references the operetta duo Gilbert & Sullivan, reinforcing the film’s old-school vibe.
Comic-Book Callbacks and Retro Tech
Eagle-eyed viewers spotted plenty of comic-inspired nods. Early in the trailer, Ben Grimm (The Thing) hoists a green Volkswagen Beetle over his head – a clever tribute to Superman’s famous car-lifting feats. In context, The Thing’s Beetle gag is a wink to Superman as the “first modern superhero,” bridging Marvel and DC comic history. Another classic callback: the Fantasti-Car. We briefly see the retro hover-car zipping through Manhattan. This is the first live-action appearance of the Fantastic Four’s flying Cadillac since the 1960s comics, and its period styling reinforces the movie’s alternate-1960s setting.
The trailer also hints at the team’s origins in space. It cuts to found-footage of Reed, Sue, Johnny, and Ben on a mission shuttle, implying their cosmic radiation exposure. Similarly, the costumes – pale blue jumpsuits with big “4” emblems – exactly match the classic comic look. All together, these visuals remind long-time fans of the Four’s Silver Age roots.
Surprise Appearances: H.E.R.B.I.E. and Red Ghost
Not all Easter eggs are settings – some tease characters. Midway through, we get a charming kitchen scene with The Thing and a robot assistant. That’s H.E.R.B.I.E., the Fantastic Four’s bumbling robot helper. He’s seen whipping up Sunday dinner and helping Ben (The Thing) cook, just as in the comics and cartoons. This is actually the first proper live-action look at H.E.R.B.I.E. – a treat for fans. The trailer frames his presence as a fun nod to team history and suggests he’ll add humor to the movie.
On the villain side, John Malkovich appears briefly with long white hair and a beard. The trailer doesn’t name him, but he strongly resembles Ivan Kragoff, the Red Ghost. In the comics, Kragoff is a Soviet scientist turned supervillain by cosmic rays – a fitting foe for Marvel’s First Family. Rumors are already flying that Malkovich indeed plays Red Ghost. Elsewhere we spot big hints of other antagonists: the massive, horned silhouette of Galactus looms over New York near the end of the trailer. This imposing shot is faithful to the comics’ world-devouring villain. Notably, the Surfer is absent despite casting Julia Garner (the Silver Surfer’s alter-ego Shalla-Bal), implying Marvel is saving the Surfer’s reveal for later.
Subtle Clues and Universe Links
Several details hint at a wider MCU connection. A close-up shows Reed Richards scribbling equations on a blackboard. Fans spotted a wormhole diagram labeled “Another universe?” just over his shoulder. This suggests Reed is already theorizing alternate universes – fitting, since this Fantastic Four lives in a 1960s world outside the main MCU timeline. It may even foreshadow how these characters end up in the wider MCU (we know they’re slated to appear in upcoming Avengers films).
Another cool sight: the Baxter Building (the FF’s HQ) looks almost identical to the Avengers Tower (same blocky design and location in Manhattan). This layout implies a timeline link between the buildings. Fans speculate Doctor Doom (with Robert Downey Jr. rumored) might somehow tie into that history, but for now it’s a neat visual Easter egg.
Easter Eggs in the Background
Marvel hid pop-culture jokes in the city scenes. One Times Square storefront is labeled “Westview Appliances & Television,” a wink to WandaVision’s 1960s town Westview. It’s a playful cross-reference since Fantastic Four’s director also made WandaVision, even though the stories likely remain separate. Nearby, a movie theater marquee shows “Attack Of The Fungu,” referencing Pedro Pascal’s role in The Last of Us (recall his character faces a fungal epidemic). Pascal plays Reed Richards, so this in-joke is a laugh for fans aware of his previous work. (And in case you missed it, Vanessa Kirby’s Sue Storm also appears pregnant in the trailer – yes, Franklin Richards is on the way.)
In one hectic action shot, a crumbling street scene hides another tease: behind Sue Storm, a theater marquee blares “Subzero Intel.” That’s not a real movie – it sounds like “subzero intelligence” – and Cap’s origin famously involves a freezing plane crash. The theory is that it’s a nod to Steve Rogers’ fate (ice bath!), giving the trailer a playful nod to Marvel history beyond just the Fantastic Four.
Finishing Touches and Meta Nods
Finally, even tiny production details made it in. In one scene, we see Ben Grimm looking at a store window that reads “Kaplan’s.” That’s almost certainly a shout-out to Jeff Kaplan, who co-wrote this movie’s script. Marvel loves to slip the writers’ or crew’s names into the background, so this “Kaplan’s” sign is another fan wink. And when Ben (The Thing) wears a fedora and trench coat in that scene, it’s a comic-accurate disguise – in old comics, The Thing often covered up like that in the city. Even this little wardrobe choice is a hidden detail for attentive fans.
