Fantastic Four’s Test Screening Disaster: Fans Slam Ending as Marvel Faces Backlash

“What were they thinking?” a fan vented on X, summing up the firestorm of criticism engulfing Marvel’s Fantastic Four after early test screenings reportedly left audiences stunned—and not in a good way. Slated for release on July 25, 2025, the film, directed by Matt Shakman and starring Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, was meant to herald Marvel’s First Family into the MCU with grandeur. Instead, rumors of a chaotic narrative, underdeveloped characters, and a catastrophic ending involving Kang the Conqueror have fans tearing the film apart. With additional buzz around a mystery role for Hunter Schafer, the stakes are sky-high for Marvel to salvage this reboot. As the internet erupts with disappointment, the Fantastic Four’s troubled journey is shaping up to be one of the MCU’s biggest controversies.

The Rumor: A Disastrous Test Screening

The Fantastic Four, Marvel’s foundational superhero team, has a rocky cinematic history. Fox’s 2005 and 2007 films were commercially successful but critically panned, while 2015’s Fant4stic was a notorious flop. The MCU reboot, announced in 2020, promised a fresh start, integrating Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic), Sue Storm (Invisible Woman), Johnny Storm (Human Torch), and Ben Grimm (The Thing) into the multiverse saga. However, recent test screenings have reportedly derailed that promise.

Fans on X, including @cosmicbooknews, claim the film’s ending is a “complete disaster,” with audiences booing key moments. Specific grievances include the Fantastic Four dying abruptly within the first 20 minutes, a lack of character development, and an underwhelming resolution where Kang the Conqueror, played by John David Washington, meets an anticlimactic demise. Another user, @lnjaln, criticized the film’s pacing, noting it launches into action without setup, leaving little room for emotional investment. These reports, while unconfirmed, paint a picture of a film struggling to balance ambition with coherence.

The Plot: What Went Wrong?

While Marvel has kept the plot under wraps, leaks suggest Fantastic Four is set in the 1960s, positioning the team as early MCU heroes whose absence from modern events ties to quantum realm or multiversal shenanigans. The film reportedly pits the Four against Kang, a time-traveling tyrant central to Marvel’s Phase 5 and 6. Test screening feedback indicates the narrative stumbles in execution. Fans lament that Reed’s stretchy powers feel “underwhelming” and Ben’s Thing is sidelined, reducing the team’s dynamic. The early death of the Four, possibly a multiversal fake-out, alienated viewers who expected a focus on their heroism. Kang’s defeat, described as rushed, fails to capitalize on his looming threat established in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.

The ending’s failure to resonate may stem from Marvel’s broader struggles. The MCU has faced criticism for uneven quality post-Endgame, with projects like Thor: Love and Thunder and Multiverse of Madness dividing fans. Fantastic Four was meant to restore confidence, introducing characters pivotal to Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Secret Wars. Instead, the test screening backlash suggests a disconnect between Marvel’s vision and audience expectations, echoing concerns about rushed storytelling and overreliance on multiversal gimmicks.

The Cast: High Hopes, Mixed Execution

The film’s ensemble is a bright spot, though even that hasn’t escaped scrutiny. Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards brings charisma from The Mandalorian and The Last of Us, but fans worry his powers lack visual flair. Vanessa Kirby, playing Sue Storm, offers gravitas from Mission: Impossible, yet her role reportedly lacks depth. Joseph Quinn, fresh off Stranger Things, is Johnny Storm, whose fiery antics are a highlight but can’t salvage the pacing. Ebon Moss-Bachrach, known for The Bear, plays Ben Grimm, but fans note his limited screen time diminishes The Thing’s emotional weight.

Hunter Schafer, rumored for a mystery role—possibly Julia Carpenter (Spider-Woman) or a Fantastic Four ally—adds intrigue. Her casting, alongside her reported role as Zelda in The Legend of Zelda movie, positions her as a rising star. However, the test screening feedback doesn’t mention her, suggesting her role may be minor or still under wraps. The cast’s talent is undeniable, but the script’s reported failure to develop their characters has left fans frustrated, with one X user noting, “They’ve got an amazing cast, but it feels like they’re wasted.”

Fan Reactions: A Chorus of Disappointment

The backlash on X is palpable. @Upalllnite shared a YouTube link claiming fans “destroyed” the film in test screenings, while @CigarGangsta called the ending a “disaster.” Users criticize the lack of character arcs, with Reed and Sue feeling like “cardboard cutouts” and Ben reduced to a background figure. The decision to kill the Four early, possibly as a shock twist, has drawn ire, with fans arguing it undermines their legacy. Kang’s weak portrayal is another sore point, especially after Jonathan Majors’ exit forced Marvel to recast the role with Washington. Fans expected a menacing villain, not a throwaway defeat.

Not all reactions are negative. Some fans on Reddit defend the film, suggesting test screenings are early cuts prone to issues. They argue Marvel’s track record—reshoots for Captain America: Brave New World improved its reception—could lead to fixes. Others praise the 1960s aesthetic and the cast’s chemistry in glimpses shown at D23. However, the prevailing sentiment is one of concern, with fans fearing another