Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Everett Collection SATURDAY AM: The Fantastic Four: First Steps at $120M-$125M is one of the sixth best openings for a Marvel Cinematic Universe title post Covid and that’s a great thing.

Maybe “superhero fatigue” is a thing of the past – with DC’s “Superman” still soaring in theaters, Marvel’s “Fantastic Four” reboot is set to join the fun this weekend, with positive momentum.

First Steps” is the third Marvel movie to hit theaters this year, but it packs way more hidden references and nods than “Captain America: Brave New World” or “Thunderbolts.” It’s not on the same level of Easter eggs as last year’s “Deadpool and Wolverine,

Outside of 'Deadpool & Wolverine,' the reboot looks to score the best domestic opening for Kevin Feige's superhero studio since 2022's 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.'

In 1978, the animation company DePatie–Freleng (best known for The Pink Panther) teamed with Marvel to make The New Fantastic Four. The stories leaned a little more into sci-fi and tech, especially with the inclusion of H.E.R.B.I.E., the group's little robotic friend not too dissimilar from Star Wars' R2-D2.

The First Steps” takes place on Earth-828, in an alternate Marvel timeline. Set in Manhattan, the film stars Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, aka Mr. Fantastic; Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, aka the Invisible Woman;

As the filmmaker’s three-year journey wound down on the project, he realized a key moment was missing, and managed to shoot it just a few months before the film opened.

This week on “See It or Skip It,” Tomatometer Approved film critic Patrick Beatty is joined by UFCA critics Rebecca Frost, Kent Dunn, and special guest Cedric Haynes, as they dive into a fantastic mix of movies on the big and small screen.