MOVIE NEWS – Although The Fantastic Four: First Steps has been well-received by both critics and audiences, taste is subjective, and now a Marvel-affiliated figure has gone public with his disdain for the film. Rob Liefeld, co-creator of Deadpool and one of the founders of Image Comics, is notorious among comic fans for his controversial, hot-tempered social media posts – and The Fantastic Four: First Steps is his latest target.

Liefeld shared a photo on X of a nearly empty screening of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, adding: “I can tell you why there is very little repeat biz on this film. It’s impossibly dull & boring.” Many were quick to point out that his post was hardly fair, since 5 pm on a Tuesday is far from prime moviegoing time. Even with discounted tickets, most people tend to see films in the evening after work. Plenty of users disagreed with Liefeld’s assessment and praised the MCU entry, though a few sided with his take.

This was the 5pm Fantastic Four screening at my IMAX. I can tell you why there is very little repeat biz on this film. It’s impossibly dull & boring. pic.twitter.com/AdiHfOmbMS

— robliefeld (@robertliefeld) July 30, 2025

Liefeld’s Complicated History with Marvel

Many noted that Liefeld seems to have an axe to grind with Marvel. In February 2025, he announced he was severing ties with the company after perceived slights at the Deadpool & Wolverine premiere. Since then, he has repeatedly called for Kevin Feige’s removal as head of Marvel Studios and questioned numerous business decisions, despite having previously been a strong supporter of the company, especially in 2024 when Deadpool & Wolverine was released.

Liefeld has also consistently praised James Gunn and DC Studios’ Superman movie. While it’s not uncommon to prefer DC over Marvel, Liefeld’s history raises questions about bias and whether he has personal reasons for painting The Fantastic Four: First Steps in a negative light. He is certainly within his rights to dislike the film, but his post seems motivated more by hurt feelings than objective criticism.

Despite the empty screening, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is performing strongly at the box office. On the day Liefeld posted the photo, the film grossed $14.1 million, just behind Superman’s $17.1 million. While the DC film leads The Fantastic Four: First Steps—with $177 million in its first week compared to the MCU entry’s $158.3 million—the Marvel film will easily surpass the two previous MCU titles, Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts, within a matter of days, and is already among the year’s top ten box office hits.

Source: Rob Liefeld (X)