Production designer Kasra Farahani brought an alternative 1960s New York to life in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, blending mid-century modern design with a futuristic twist. Drawing on the work of Oscar Niemeyer and Eero Saarinen, he aimed to create a world that felt both imaginative and believable.
Farahani’s vision was shaped by the “jet age” optimism of the era. “Our goal was to create a world where the 1960s manifested the technology-inspired futurism that in our world we only saw as promises,” he explained. The film’s setting mixes historic architecture with retro-futuristic elements, ensuring the city retains authenticity while showcasing its advanced fictional technology.
Inspirations and Architectural Logic
To achieve this, Farahani studied iconic projects like Niemeyer’s Brasilia buildings and Saarinen’s TWA Flight Center at JFK. Their dynamic curves and white concrete structures provided a foundation for the film’s design language. He also drew from the 1964 New York World’s Fair, noting its cohesive aesthetic and utopian energy.
In the film’s version of New York, about one-third of the buildings are retro-futuristic, with the rest reflecting earlier periods like art deco and turn-of-the-century styles. This mix allowed the Fantastic Four’s Baxter Building to stand out. Positioned on the real-world site of the United Nations Headquarters, the fictional skyscraper combines sleek glass façades with sculptural concrete forms, evoking Niemeyer’s and Saarinen’s influence without losing elegance.
Bringing the World to Life on Set
Much of the action takes place on physical sets, including Reed Richards’ penthouse apartment, his laboratory, and a two-thirds-scale Times Square replica. Interiors draw heavily on mid-century modern features—conversation pits, an indoor barbecue, a cylindrical refrigerator—crafted to create warmth and comfort despite the penthouse setting.
Filming also utilised Santiago Calatrava’s Palacio de Congresos in Oviedo, Spain, for the Baxter Building’s lobby scenes. “If you build the physical environment, it has a huge impact on the artists,” Farahani said, emphasising how real sets influence lighting, framing, and performance. This commitment to tangible spaces helps the fictional New York feel grounded, specific, and alive.