It wasn’t just the movie premiere that had fans buzzing in Los Angeles on Monday night.
All eyes were on Ioan Gruffudd and his glowing pregnant wife, Bianca Wallace, as the couple hit the blue carpet looking loved-up and excited for what’s ahead — both in cinema and in life.
They were there to celebrate the premiere of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Marvel’s highly anticipated new reboot.
But for Ioan, the night also marked a touching full-circle moment.
A Return to the Franchise That Made Him a Superhero
Ioan Gruffudd, now 51, famously played Mister Fantastic in the 2005 version of Fantastic Four — back when he starred alongside Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, and Michael Chiklis.
Two decades later, he was on hand to support a new generation of actors stepping into the iconic roles.
The premiere took place at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, and while the spotlight was firmly on the new film, Ioan and Bianca definitely stole a bit of it with their affectionate red carpet display.
Love, Style and a Baby on the Way
Ioan looked effortlessly sharp in a black suit with a crisp white shirt, but it was the way he sweetly held Bianca’s baby bump that really melted hearts.
The 32-year-old actress, whom he married earlier this year in April, looked radiant in a strapless grey midi dress.
She paired it with black sandals, a clutch bag, and a glowing smile.
The two looked absolutely smitten as they posed for photos, despite the lingering backdrop of Ioan’s legal drama with ex-wife Alice Evans, 56.
Reports have suggested an ongoing battle over financial support for their two daughters — but Monday night was clearly about celebrating joy, not conflict.
The Fantastic Four Gets a Fresh Reboot
The latest Fantastic Four film has been hyped as one of Marvel’s biggest releases in years.
Titled The Fantastic Four: First Steps, the movie is set in a stylized 1960s-inspired world — a throwback to the comic’s early roots.
This marks the first time the superhero team is being officially introduced into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), even though they’ve graced the big screen before in different forms.
The 2005 version, starring Ioan, raked in over $330 million worldwide and even spawned a sequel, Rise of the Silver Surfer, in 2007.
A Bumpy History and a Promising Future for the Franchise
Not all past Fantastic Four outings have been so well received.
The 2015 reboot — which featured Miles Teller, Michael B. Jordan, Kate Mara, and Jamie Bell — flopped critically and commercially.
But First Steps seems to be winning fans over before it even hits theaters.
Earlier this year, Marvel dropped the first trailer, and it made a splash on social media.
Fans React to the New Look and Feel
Fans on X (formerly Twitter) were quick to share their thoughts.
One user posted, “Okay the Fantastic Four trailer wasn’t bad.
I’m pleasantly surprised.” Another added, “I’m not even a fan of Fantastic Four, but this looks sleek.
It nails that retro setting like Captain America: The First Avenger did.”
Some longtime Marvel viewers even admitted this trailer had reignited their interest in the MCU.
“Watched the Fantastic Four trailer and I’m actually excited for a Marvel movie again,” one person said.
Others praised the film’s tone and visuals, calling it the only Marvel content they’ve been genuinely interested in lately.
When and Where to Watch
The film officially hits cinemas nationwide on July 24, and fans — old and new — are gearing up for the team’s long-awaited MCU debut.
For Ioan Gruffudd, the night wasn’t just about nostalgia or superhero suits.
It was about a fresh chapter — on screen and off — as he held his wife close, beamed with pride, and quietly celebrated the next big role he’s about to play: dad.
