I have always had a deep-rooted love for The Fantastic Four. Whether it be because The Incredibles (which also features an invisible woman) was my favorite movie as a kid or I just love Chris Evans' casting in the original 2005 film, the tight-knit family bond between this Marvel team gets me every time. And, in my opinion, it's what the MCU has been missing! Fans want a team that feels like a family!
So, needless to say, when we heard that Marvel Studios was finally bringing the team into the MCU, I was overjoyed and have spent the last two years anxiously awaiting news on The Fantastic Four 2025. Well, on February 14, in honor of Valentine's Day, we finally got word on The Fantastic Four cast! Here's everything we know about the new Fantastic Four and don't forget to check out this year's Spring Movies while you wait!
Image via Marvel Studios/Instagram
Marvel Studios announced on February 14th, via an Instagram Valentine, that the new Fantastic Four cast will be Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/the Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/The Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing. This is a very compelling cast because not only are all of these actors hilarious on their own, but they also have the empathy and open-hearted approach to dramatic roles that mean we could definitely be laughing one minute and crying the next.
I'm super excited to see Pedro Pascal join the MCU, especially after seeing his real-life friend Oscar Isaac in Moon Knight. Both actors are also in Star Wars (Pedro as The Mandalorian and Oscar as Poe Dameron), so it's like they're sci-fi franchise hopping!
Deadline confirmed on April 3 that Ozark and Inventing Anna star Julia Garner will join the cast, reportedly playing a version of the Silver Surfer from The Fantastic Four comics named Shalla-Bal.
Image via Marvel Studios
When Reed Richards, Ben Grimm, Susan Storm, and her younger brother Johnny Storm agree to take part in an experimental space flight, they don't know they're signing up to change their lives forever. Exposure to cosmic rays gives each of them their own super powers (including Reed becoming elastic, Sue turning invisible, Johnny basically turning into fire, and Ben becoming a living rock-like formation) and they decide to form The Fantastic Four to keep the earth safe.
Image via 20th Century Studios
Marvel Studios' The Fantastic Four is coming out July 25, 2025. We're only getting one Marvel movie (Deadpool 3) in 2024, so Fantastic Four will be a welcome addition to next year's summer movies! Until then, feel free to stream the 2005 Fantastic Four on Disney+ :).
Image via Marvel Studios/Instagram
While we know when The Fantastic Four comes out, we don't exactly know when the movie is set. Drew Parker on TikTok makes the ~fantastic~ point that based on the LIFE Magazine Ben is holding in the Instagram Valentine, our best guess is that the film will open on or around December 13, 1963. This is a huge date for space exploration because it's the day the UN approved the Outer Space Treaty (formally called The Declaration of Legal Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Uses of Outer Space), approving the free exploration of space.
If the movie really does take place in the '60s, I have LOTS of questions about how it will tie into the rest of the MCU. Will it be a WandaVision-esque illusion that The Fantastic Four snap out of by the end of the movie? Will they meet a 1960s Howard Stark? Will they literally travel through time and space to get to 2025? After theories that Reed Richards will be "the new Tony Stark" (a mantle Pedro Pascal could totally pull off, IMO), it would make sense that the team winds up in 2025 to help Ms. Marvel, Kate Bishop, and the rest of the Avengers movie forward.
Image via Marvel Studios
No, John Krasinski is not going to play Mr. Fantastic. After the internet was calling for John Krasinski and Emily Blunt to play Reed Richards and Sue Storm, John showed up as a multiverse variant of Mr. Fantastic in Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness! However, Scarlet Witch killed him so that means we probably won't see him again...
Are you excited for The Fantastic Four? Check out our Facebook for the latest movie news!
Lead image via Marvel Studios
This post has been updated.
There are some celebrity couples that feel like a match made in Heaven. Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, and more recently, Shaun White and Nina Dobrev. Not only are they both gorgeous, talented, and incredibly driven people, but they're also one of the funniest celeb couples to follow along with on social media.
Here's everything you need to know about their relationship!
Image via Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Dior Men
Nina Dobrev and Shaun White officially met when they both spoke at a Tony Robbins workshop in Florida. Even though Shaun didn't know about anything about Nina at the time, he told People he realized she was a big deal when a bunch of people asked for pictures with her!
Image via Nina Dobrev/Instagram
In 2020, when Nina Dobrev was filming Redeeming Love, fans started noticing that her Instagram photos and Shaun White's were taken in the same locations, even though they were making separate posts. Turns out, Nina had gotten Shaun to come visit her!
Image via Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Fresh Vine Wine
In true 21st century dating fashion, Nina Dobrev and Shaun White took their relationship to the next level when they made it Instagram official. It's a pretty big step for any couple, but especially celebrities. If it's nerve-wracking telling your friends and acquaintances, imagine telling millions of fans! Instead of a regular photo, Nina posted a video that features a glimpse of Shaun's tattoo.
Image via Nina Dobrev/Instagram
Like so many of us, Nina Dobrev and Shaun White had to take haircuts into their own hands during quarantine. "Adding to resume: hairdresser ✂️," Nina captioned an Instagram post of her giving Shaun an at-home haircut.
Image via Nina Dobrev/Instagram
To celebrate Shaun White's 34th birthday, Nina Dobrev made a hilarious Instagram tribute to honor the snowboarder. "To the most untalented, humorless, least athletic, least coordinated, least gifted and my least favorite person.... happy birthday @shaunwhite," she says in the caption. "Hang in there. one day you will accomplish something. #dontgiveup"
Nina Dobrev and Shaun White's age difference is two years — Shaun was born in 1986 and Nina was born in 1989!
Image via Shaun White/Instagram
The holidays looked different for Nina Dobrev and Shaun White at the end of 2020, but they didn't let that stop them from celebrating. "I’m so thankful to be surrounded by so much love!!" Shaun says in his Thanksgiving Instagram post. "Getting older and watching my family continue to grow has been incredible. Hope everyone out there had an amazing thanksgiving!" The couple also celebrated Christmas together, with plenty of Santa hats and gifts to go around!
Image via Shaun White/Instagram
Nina Dobrev and Shaun White chose wacky '80s getup to celebrate the actress' 32nd birthday. "Too bad we never have any fun together," Shaun says in his birthday Instagram post. "Happy birthday baby!"
Image via Nina Dobrev/Instagram
Nina Dobrev and Shaun White took to the slopes alongside Paul Wesley (who starred opposite Nina in The Vampire Diaries) and his wife Ines de Ramon. "Sometimes you gotta double up to double down," Nina captioned her post of the quartet at Wyoming's Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.
Image via Shaun White/Instagram
Both Nina Dobrev and Shaun White made tributes to each other on the 'gram in honor of their first V-Day as a couple. "My favorite snow cone flavor is White," Nina says in her Instagram post. "Happy we got “stuck together” last year and stuck it out ;) happy valentine’s day to my quarantini in crime..."
"Happy Valentine’s Day ❤️," Shaun says in his caption. "I never knew I was so lickable till we met 😂... Thank you for keeping a smile on my face and being the beautiful person you are!"
Image via Shaun White/Instagram
Nina Dobrev and Shaun White knocked Halloween out of the park with a hilarious, gender-swapped couple's costume inspired by The Queen's Gambit. Nina dressed as Thomas Brodie Sangster's Benny and Shaun went with Anya Taylor Joy's Beth. "Your move @anyataylorjoy ♟👑," Shaun says on Instagram.
Image via Clive Rose/Getty Images
In October of 2021, ahead of his involvement in the Beijing Olympics, Shaun White told People just how supportive Nina Dobrev had been for him. "Nina's incredible," he says in the interview. "What an influence on my life. Not only does she run her own show, her own world, companies she's involved in, things she's producing, all this stuff going on. She holds me to this same high standard which is so wonderful to have in a partner."
“We’ll be anxiously watching [Shaun compete] from home and cheering him on,” Nina Dobrev tells Us Weekly in early 2022. “I’m very, very excited for him. I can’t wait.”
Image via Nina Dobrev/Instagram
Shaun White might have cut off his iconic red hair, but that didn't stop Nina Dobrev from using it as inspo for his retirement party! The get together was complete with red wigs, family reunions, and lots of selfies. "Celebrating the 🐐 and bringing back the 👩🦰 one last time…#RetirementPartyAt35," Nina captioned her Instagram post. Then they followed the party up with a tropical getaway!
Image via Lia Toby/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures
Nina Dobrev and Shaun White attended the London premiere of Top Gun: Maverick in the summer of 2022. It marked their first red carpet appearance since becoming a couple *and* gave them the chance to support their friend Miles Teller!
Image via Nina Dobrev/Instagram
Nina and Shaun went on another vacation in the summer of 2022, complete with lots of beach time and plenty of beverages. Some of Nina's Instagram captions include "When it’s so blue outside it’s impossible to feel blue on the inside" and "Coconut or cocktail? There are two types of people in the world" and the photos are so cute I could cry.
Image via Shaun White/Instagram
During Miles Teller's run as SNL host, Shaun White joined his friend onstage. "Live from New York it’s Saturday Night!
Congrats to my buddy #MilesTeller on hosting @nbcsnl," Shaun wrote on Instagram. "Not surprised that you killed it. But I was very surprised when I arrived to support you…and they pulled me on stage to be part of a sketch 😂 Stoked to be a part of your big moment!!
"I loved being an emotional support animal 🐆 @nbcsnl," Nina captioned her post.
Image via Nina Dobrev/Instagram
In another iconic Halloween couple's costume, Nina and Shaun dressed up as Max and Vecna from the acclaimed fourth episode of Stranger Things 4 — with Nina as Vecna and Shaun as Max, of course. "Stranger things have happened," Nina said in her post, while Shaun admitted in his post, "not gonna lie I’ve miss the long hair."
Image via Shaun White/Instagram
"What planet are you from and will you take me with you?!" Shaun asks in his birthday photo featuring Nina Dobrev in a pink wig. "Thanks for making life incredible! Happy birthday my love."
Image via Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images
Image via Shaun White/Instagram
If you ask me, Nina Dobrev and Shaun White have one of the most iconic friend groups ever. Miles and Keleigh Teller, as well as Chace Crawford, joined the couple in St. Barth's for New Year's. Can I come next time?!
Image via Nina Dobrev/Instagram
I love a good surprise, especially when the surprise goes off without a hitch. For Nina's 35th birthday, Shaun (as well as a bunch of their friends like Julianne Hough) surprised Nina with a Disney trip and judging by Nina's reaction, it was just about the best present she could have asked for. The day consisted of a custom Mickey jacket, taking a party bus, roller coasters, and more!
"Happiest surprise on the happiest day at the happiest place on earth," Nina says in her Instagram post. "I have to say I am HARD to SURPRISE. I always know what’s up. But they got me good. I’m still in shock to be honest. Feeling incredibly lucky, celebrated, loved, grateful and appreciative of all the wonderful souls I am fortunate to surround myself with."
Screenshots via Shaun White/TikTok
At the beginning of February, Shaun White posted a TikTok of him and Nina Dobrev snowboarding together. Rather than snowboarding side by side, they're almost on top of one another as Shaun literally lifts Nina off the ground to spin them around. It's literally the cutest moment, and it makes *me* want to go snowboarding — if I have someone to snowboard with ;).
Screenshot via Nina Dobrev/Instagram Stories
Shaun and Nina shared a few flicks from their adventures before, during, and after Super Bowl LVIII on Instagram. The couple watched the game, flew over Las Vegas, together, and even sipped some Don Julio tequila to celebrate after the fact.
My favorite moments that the duo documented on social were definitely Nina chowing down on a hot dog in the stands (that's so me), Shaun dancing along to Usher's halftime show, and them sharing a kiss after the big Chiefs win!
The two just look *so* happy together, and that makes me happy.
"Can you propose to this women yet? Beautiful couple!!!😍🔥," one commenter wrote on Instagram... and I'm wondering the exact same thing!
Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Vanity Fair
The stars always show out for the Vanity Fair Oscars afterparty, and Shaun and Nina were no exception to that rule! Our fave fiery couple looked amazing on the red carpet, but their best look? These two were smitten and all smiles on Nina's Instagram! Major heart eyes moment to say the least!
Screenshots via Shaun White/TikTok
Snowboarding might not be a new thing for this "it" couple, but they still find a way to make it more fun every time they go. "Nina dropped her snowboard, so we had to go rescue it," Shaun says in a recent TikTok. In the video, he's carrying Nina while they snowboard and I am more than impressed! "Not all heroes wear capes," the caption reads.
Check back here for the latest update on Shaun White and Nina Dobrev!
Lead image via Lia Toby/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures.
This post has been updated.
Though we're all about our reusable water bottles (and everything related to the Stanley tumbler), the love we have for fancy-shmancy bottled water is just undeniable. Despite the crisp, cold convenience associated with bottled water, there's a *huge* rift in which brands actually taste good.
Some drinkers prefer Aquafina over Dasani (or even artesian water cuvée, like the cast of Vanderpump Rules), and that's okay – but sommelier Belinda Chang has an immeasurable wealth of knowledge to dictate which ones are worth sipping on based on their flavor (and yes, they differ).
Not every bottled water is created equal, and this expert-backed ranking is proof. Onward!
Photo by Pavel Danilyuk / PEXELS
Mineral water is considered the healthiest bottled water since it contains additional minerals and vitamins.
Photo by Towfiqu Barbhuiya / PEXELS
According to our ranking of the best and worst bottled waters, Roundy's bottled water is #1.
Photo by Mart Production / PEXELS
In terms of your health, all plastic bottled waters are the worst – they can contain hundreds of thousands of microplastics that harm the body. The safest bottled water you can drink is likely some filtered water that you put into a reusable water bottle.
Photo by Karolina Grabowska / PEXELS
Propel, Dasani, Ice Mountain, Aquafina, and Naleczowianka are the top 5 worst bottled waters according to their taste.
Photo by Nerea Arance / PEXELS
According to expert water sommelier rankings, the top 5 best drinking waters are: Evian, Smeraldina, SmartWater, Fiji, and Roundy's.
Image via BelindaChang.com
Belinda Chang hails from Chicago, and was formerly the head of the wine and spirits program at upscale steakhouse Maple & Ash, so she knows her drinks. While she usually puts her skills towards perfect pairings of wine and sumptuous meals, Belinda welcomed Thrillist into her domain to put water to the ultimate test.
Belinda compared ten different bottled water brands by evaluating their flavor, aroma, texture and finish of each, giving them a score out of a possible 100 points. Her bottled water ratings shed light on which brands you should drink!
“A good bottled water shouldn’t have any off-putting aromas or flavors – that would be an automatic negative,” Belinda explained. “In wine, we always talk about terroir, and I think for water, it’s the same. You want it to speak of the place where it comes from. And, of course, you want it to be delicious.”
Image via Propel
When it came to tasting Propel bottled water, Belinda was immediately put off by the odor, saying it smells "salty, metallic.” Ew. When it came to taste, it might not have been as bad, but it certainly wasn’t an A+.
“When it gets onto your tongue, the impact is bizarre. The texture and flavor is a lot like Gatorade, but not masked with orange or blue raspberry.”
Image via Dasani
Dasani was another bottled water that was... somewhat stinky. “See, this one does not smell good — it smells like a wine that’s been dosed with sulphates.” What’s with all the smelly water?
Belinda deemed that when it comes to Dasani, “The thirst-quenching quotient is really low on this guy.”
Image via Ice Mountain
Ice Mountain bottled water got it right if you’re looking for nothing but water – tasteless water.
“It’s completely neutral in almost every way, which I think is a total positive.” In this case, definitely. Though Belinda did note a slight “mineral-y” aftertaste, a “pipe-like flavor.” No thanks.
Image via Aquafina
Instead of tasting pipe-like, Belinda felt Aquafina tasted “a little powdery, with some dissolved minerals and a little bit of salt.” Still, she felt that this was a decent thirst-quencher.
“For an inexpensive water that you’re just drinking because you’re in the airport and you want to hydrate before you go on a flight, I think this is a good option.”
Naleczowianka bottled water was another water with a “distinctive” smell — this time, a stony hint. Kinda strangely, it made Belinda think of “a salt character — I want it with a pierogi.” That’s… specific.
Overall, this one failed where it seems to matter the most, with the skilled sommelier noting, “It’s not that thirst-quenching. It dries out the palate.”
Image via Evian
Evian bottled water is better when it comes to the smell, Belinda claiming it’s “really clean on the nose.” But interestingly, she also noted, “I do taste the Alps — I don’t smell them, but I taste them. And I can definitely imagine myself après-ski with a bottle of Evian.” That’s a plus for Evian!
Image via Smeraldina
Smeraldina bottled water scored slightly higher than Evian despite the fact that “after you have a sip of it, it feels like there’s this fine silt lying on your tongue.”
Besides that, however, “this would transport you back to the south of Italy.” Whoa. First the Alps, now Italy. We’re globetrotting with every sip.
Image via Drink Smart Water
Smartwater is actually something that Belinda is familiar with herself, but admitted, “I’ve always chugged this the next morning when I’m hungover.” However, when she took some time to consider it, she claims, “it’s probably 1000% the marketing, but it does taste different,” i.e. a really interesting texture in the mid-palate, which Belinda assumes is the added electrolytes.
Image via Fiji Water
Fiji took the runner-up spot of the best bottled water to drink, partly due to the fact that it’s “totally neutral on the nose, which [Belinda thinks] is important,” but it was also the fact that it’s a heavy water that got Belinda’s stamp of approval.
“[If] you want to drink a glass of water after a spectacular dish or, like, a great bite of a burger, you want something that cleanses, and this is it. I really love this water.”
Image via Roundy's
And the bottled water winner is… Roundy’s! First, the smell won Belinda over. “This is going to sound so weird, but it’s a little sweet-smelling — which I like!” But, of course, that wasn’t all. Taste is the major factor here, and the sommelier thought this option was delicious. “It has no pretension, it’s incredibly thirst-quenching.
It doesn’t taste like anything, which is perfect. When you’re drinking water you just want to be drinking water, and this is the most watery of all the waters. This is the Moet Imperial of bottled water — it’s simple, it’s classic and it does exactly what it’s supposed to do. It delivers and that’s my professional opinion.”
Do you notice differences in the taste of water from different brands and your tap? Tweet us @BritandCo!
H/T Thrillist.
Lead photo by Bogdan Kosanovic / iStock.
This post has been updated.
