The biggest mystery of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and its greatest hope, The Fantastic Four, is the only period piece from the studio’s shoulder that keeps fans preoccupied with counting the days till the time travel. Having rolled a line-up of the biggest stars of Tinseltown, the movie is already set to be a blockbuster for 2025. However, to ensure it does not fall short on any front from setting a benchmark for the upcoming releases, the studio has now tapped the greatly acclaimed prosthetic designer, famous for his work in HBO’s Game of Thrones and Netflix’s Stranger Things.

For now, all eyes remain on this newest addition, who appears set to raise the stakes for this 2025 film.

As per a recent update from Fantastic Four Updates on X, Barrie Gower is poised to serve as the prosthetic designer for The Fantastic Four, set to release next year on July 25. Gower is particularly renowned for his work in HBO’s hit series, Game of Thrones and its prequel, House of the Dragon, as well as The Last of Us. He is also famous for Netflix’s smash shows Stranger Things and The Witcher, and high-profile motion pictures like Doctor Stranger in the Multiverse of Madness, Death on the Nile, No Time To Die, and others.

Gower has earned two BAFTA Awards for his work on House of the Dragon and The Witcher. His extensive credit list includes five Emmy wins in the category of Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup from nine nominations. He received Primetime Emmys in 2014, 2016, and 2018 for Game of Thrones, and added an Emmy in 2022 for Stranger Things and another in 2023 for The Last of Us. Additionally, Gower has been honored with an INOCA Award, an IFTA Award, and more.

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Gower’s involvement in The Fantastic Four certainly elevates the film’s potential for award-season success, but it is already set for greatness as it marks the beginning of MCU Phase 6.

When Marvel Studios revealed the cast for The Fantastic Four—featuring Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon-Moss Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn—as a Valentine’s Day surprise, fans were already excited for a strong start. However, the film has even more potential than it appears. Scheduled for release on July 25, 2025, it will kick off MCU Phase 6. Given the relatively modest success of Phase 5, expectations for the next phase are high.

Phase 5 will conclude with the release of Thunderbolts* in February 2025. Phase 6 will include The Fantastic Four, Blade, Avengers 5, and Avengers: Secret Wars. Although The Fantastic Four will be a period piece, many speculate it may pave the way for future MCU films. Barrie Hence, Gower’s involvement suggests that the team is meticulously planning every aspect of the film—makeup, cast, director, and storyline—to ensure its success.

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What do you think of Barrie Gower's involvement in The Fantastic Four as the prosthetic designer? Let us know in the comments below!