This story contains major spoilers for “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” now playing in theaters. You’ll have to forgive Vanessa Kirby if she’s a little tired. After all, she just finished saving humanity from a world-devouring cosmic villain as Sue Storm in “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,

The 'Green Knight and 'Willow' actor talks about bringing the planet-eating Galactus to life for 'Fantastic Four: First Steps.' Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn star in Marvel's latest, out July 25. Plus, get a peek at the new villain of 'Avatar: Fire and Ash'.

This iteration of the Fantastic Four has a standalone adventure without all the burden of the MCU's history and cast of characters.

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,

First Steps cast revealed which Marvel characters they’d recruit to join their team, naming several surprising X-Men picks. While Black Panther and Spider-Man were popular choices, Mystique stood out as a favorite among the cast.

That might sound like no big deal, but after 2023’s “The Marvels,” this spring’s fourth “Captain America” movie and “Thunderbolts*” all underperformed by Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) standards, the new “Fantastic Four” may offer broader audience appeal by not pulling from other franchises.