Disney CEO GOES TO WAR With MAGA After Fantastic Four Box Office DISASTER Goes Viral For MARVEL

Disney CEO GOES TO WAR With MAGA After Fantastic Four Box Office DISASTER Goes Viral For MARVEL

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has long been a juggernaut in Hollywood, but its latest release, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, has stumbled hard at the box office, sparking a firestorm of controversy that’s pitting Disney CEO Bob Iger against a vocal segment of fans, particularly those aligned with the MAGA movement. With viral headlines screaming “box office disaster” and social media amplifying the clash, this saga has become a lightning rod for debates about Marvel’s direction, cultural divides, and the state of superhero cinema. Let’s unpack what’s happening, why it’s happening, and what it means for the future of Marvel’s First Family.

The Box Office Bust: What Went Wrong?

The Fantastic Four: First Steps, released in July 2025, was meant to be a triumphant debut for Marvel’s First Family in the MCU. Starring Pedro Pascal as Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as The Thing, the film promised a fresh, retro-futuristic take set in the 1960s. Critics largely praised it, with outlets like The Telegraph calling it “Marvel’s best film in a decade” and The Guardian noting its “buoyancy.” The film’s opening weekend was solid, grossing $117.6 million domestically and $218 million globally, making it the fourth biggest opening of 2025.

But the second weekend told a different story. The film plummeted 66-67% domestically, earning just $40 million in its sophomore frame—a drop steeper than analysts predicted (55-60%). By its fourth weekend, it was pulling in a mere $8.8 million domestically, with global totals hovering around $370-371.9 million against a reported $200 million budget. To break even, films typically need to earn 2-2.5 times their production budget due to marketing costs, putting First Steps on track to barely scrape by or potentially lose money.

Why the collapse? Some point to fierce competition from blockbusters like Superman and Jurassic World Rebirth, which held stronger at the box office. Superman, for instance, dropped only 53% in its second weekend despite a similar A- CinemaScore and positive reviews. Others argue the Fantastic Four brand itself lacks the cultural pull of A-listers like Spider-Man or Batman. Previous Fantastic Four films (2005, 2007, and 2015) were either critically panned or box office disappointments, which may have left audiences skeptical. Forbes bluntly stated, “These characters are not particularly popular,” suggesting the Fantastic Four’s niche appeal couldn’t sustain blockbuster momentum.

The MAGA Backlash: A Cultural Flashpoint

Enter the MAGA controversy. Social media posts and YouTube videos, like those from channels such as Mike Zeroh, have framed the box office drop as a fan rebellion, particularly among conservative audiences. These sources claim Pedro Pascal, who plays Reed Richards, made inflammatory comments targeting MAGA supporters, alienating a chunk of the fanbase. Titles like “Pedro Pascal RAGES AT MAGA After Fantastic Four Box Office DISASTER” and “Disney CEO ATTACKS FANS” have gone viral, amplifying a narrative of cultural disconnect between Disney, its stars, and conservative viewers.

The specifics of Pascal’s alleged remarks are murky, with no direct quotes widely verified by mainstream outlets. Some X posts and YouTube content suggest Pascal’s “meltdown” involved criticizing Trump or MAGA values during the First Steps press tour, potentially echoing past Hollywood controversies where stars like Brie Larson or Rachel Zegler faced backlash for perceived political activism. CoronaToday’s claimed Pascal’s “need to speak out could end up damaging the film’s box office,” drawing parallels to The Marvels (2023), which flopped partly due to similar fan pushback. However, without concrete evidence, these claims remain speculative and may be exaggerated for clicks.

Bob Iger’s response hasn’t helped quell the storm. During a Disney earnings call, Iger called First Steps an “original property” and a successful launch for the franchise, despite its financial struggles. He emphasized Marvel’s focus on quality over quantity, a nod to scaling back releases after the mixed reception of the Multiverse Saga. But his comments were perceived by some online critics as dismissive of fan concerns, with YouTube videos accusing him of “attacking fans” or ignoring the film’s failure. This perception has fueled a narrative that Disney is out of touch, prioritizing “woke” agendas over storytelling—a charge that resonates with MAGA-aligned audiences who’ve long criticized Hollywood’s progressive leanings.

Disney’s Defense and the MCU’s Future

Despite the backlash, Iger and Disney remain optimistic about the Fantastic Four’s role in the MCU. The film’s post-credits scenes set up the team’s return in Avengers: Doomsday (2026) and Avengers: Secret Wars (2027), signaling Marvel’s commitment to the characters. Iger told Variety, “The Fantastic Four: First Steps successfully launched this important franchise into the Marvel Cinematic Universe,” suggesting the studio sees the film as a foundation for future projects, even if it’s not a billion-dollar hit. The cast, including Pascal, is confirmed for Doomsday, alongside heavyweights like Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom, indicating Marvel is doubling down on integrating the Fantastic Four into its multiverse narrative.

Financially, First Steps isn’t a total disaster. At $370-510 million projected globally, it’s outperformed other 2025 MCU films like Captain America: Brave New World ($415 million) and Thunderbolts ($382 million). It’s also the highest-grossing Fantastic Four film ever, surpassing the 2005 original when adjusted for inflation. ComicBook.com argues the “flop” label is premature, noting the film’s strong opening and potential to hit $520-570 million, enough for a modest profit. Still, the steep second-week drop and comparisons to Superman’s steadier performance have raised concerns about audience retention and Marvel’s formula.

The Bigger Picture: Superhero Fatigue or Misfire?

The First Steps saga reflects broader challenges for Marvel. After a string of disappointments (The Marvels, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Thor: Love and Thunder), analysts question whether audiences are tiring of the MCU’s interconnected, multiverse-heavy approach. Polygon suggests the film’s failure to “reignite passion” for Marvel may signal declining interest in new super-teams, especially when positioned as a “fresh start” yet tied to cosmic threats like Galactus and the Silver Surfer. Meanwhile, Variety notes that audiences aren’t rejecting superhero films outright—Deadpool & Wolverine and Superman were hits—proving quality and familiarity trump oversaturation.

The MAGA-Disney clash also highlights a cultural divide. Conservative fans, amplified by X posts and YouTube, feel Hollywood is alienating them with politicized messaging, while Disney and its stars may see their stance as standing up for creative freedom. This tension isn’t new—Gina Carano’s 2025 settlement with Disney after her firing from The Mandalorian underscores ongoing friction with conservative audiences. Yet, as Forbes points out, the bigger issue may be creative: “lousy scripts” and characters that don’t resonate. The Fantastic Four, despite their comic book legacy, lack the mainstream cachet of Spider-Man or Iron Man, making their success a tougher sell.

What’s Next?

Marvel and Disney face a delicate balancing act. The Fantastic Four: First Steps has laid groundwork for the team’s MCU future, but its box office struggles and the viral MAGA controversy highlight the risks of alienating core audiences. Iger’s focus on “great movies” over quantity is a step in the right direction, but Marvel must deliver compelling stories that bridge cultural divides without leaning too heavily on polarizing rhetoric. A Fantastic Four 2 hasn’t been greenlit, but the team’s role in upcoming Avengers films suggests Disney isn’t giving up on them yet.

For now, the war between Disney and MAGA rages online, fueled by sensational headlines and unverified claims. Whether it’s a genuine cultural standoff or a storm in a teacup, the Fantastic Four fallout is a wake-up call for Marvel to reconnect with fans—left, right, and center—before the multiverse crumbles under its own weight.