The next ‘Barbenheimer?’: ‘Fantastic Sunshine’ happens in PH with back-to-back movie premieres on July 23

Movie fans floated the idea, thanks to the two being vastly different in their respective themes.

On Wednesday, July 23, in spite of the current weather disturbance, those that will be able to go and head to SM Cinemas will be greeted with two new attractions.

These are the Philippine-run of the local movie ‘Sunshine’ and the Marvel summer presentation, ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’.

The former, top-billed by actress-singer Maris Racal and directed and written by Antoinette Jadaone, is a drama that will follow the titular character’s journey as a gymnast who suddenly learns about her pregnancy while preparing for the Olympic try-outs.

‘Sunshine’ first premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2024, and won in the Berlin International Film Festival for Crystal Bear for the Best Film last February.

Also part of the said locally-produced movie are Jennica Garcia, Meryll Soriano, Elijah Canlas, Xyriel Manabat, and child star Annika Co.

It has been given the R-16 rating by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB).

Over to the superhero flick, ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ will be the latest reboot to the franchise and its first to be formally included in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)—where it will become the 37th installment.

Under the direction of Matt Shakman, it will star Pedro Pascal as Mr. Fantastic/Reed, Vanessa Kirby as the Invisible Woman/Sue, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as The Thing/Ben, and Joseph Quinn as Human Torch/Johnny.

‘TFFFS’ received a PG (Parental Guidance) rating from the MTRCB.

Due to its differing themes, netizens and moviegoers have teased the combination as the ‘Fantastic Sunshine,’ which is, of course, based on the titles of the movies.

Some also cracked a joke about it being the Philippines’ own version of the ‘Barbenheimer’ phenomenon in 2023, which was a result of the simultaneous playdates for the ‘Barbie’ film starring Margot Robbie and ‘Oppenheimer’ topbilled by Cillian Murphy.

‘Barbie,’ directed and written by Greta Gerwig, is a fantasy comedy film that tackles the adventures of the humanized version of the doll.

Meanwhile, Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer’ was darker in nature, revolving around the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, a key figure in the development of the nuclear weapons used during World War II.

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