Movies

How Does The Fantastic Four: First Steps Connect to the MCU? (Seriously, How?)

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The newly released Marvel movie, “Fantastic Four: First Steps,” does not occur within the same universe as the usual Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), featuring heroes like Iron Man and Captain America. Instead, it unfolds in a separate section of the multiverse known as Earth-828. This alternate universe presents a nostalgic, futuristic setting reminiscent of the 1960s and the optimistic vision of mid-century America, mirroring the atmosphere of the original Jack Kirby comics. By establishing its own unique storyline, this version of the Fantastic Four can embark on an independent adventure without being entangled in the extensive history or large cast of characters from the main MCU.

As a die-hard cinema enthusiast, I eagerly stepped into “First Steps,” anticipating that our beloved quartet wouldn’t remain confined within this Jetsons-like universe forever. I was certain they would eventually intertwine with the primary Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) heroes in “Avengers: Doomsday.” The post-credits scene of “Thunderbolts” even hinted at their spaceship entering Earth-616’s reality. It appeared that “First Steps” would either set up or at least tease the arrival of Mr. Fantastic, The Invisible Woman, The Human Torch, and The Thing into the MCU proper. However, I was taken aback when the movie concluded with the team still happily ensconced in their home reality, devoid of any multiversal antics whatsoever.

Confined to a (very logical) stand-alone universe

At the start of “Fantastic Four: First Steps”, our title characters, played by Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, have been using their superpowers to protect the world for four years. They save it once more when a cosmic entity named Galactus, who devours planets, threatens Earth. Fortunately, Galactus fails to consume Earth-828, which could potentially prompt our heroes to seek refuge on another Earth, such as Earth-616. However, their strategy to vanquish him does not involve the multiverse; instead, they transport him to the desolation of their own universe, leaving him trapped there. They do not travel to Earth-616 to alert the Avengers about a Galactus equivalent either.

In a continuation set on Earth-828, four years later, Sue Storm is reading bedtime stories to her now toddler son. As she goes to grab another book, she notices a man in green cloak kneeling before her child. This turns out to be Doctor Doom, a tantalizing hint in the post-credit scene reminiscent of recent Marvel Cinematic Universe scenes. However, this brief appearance doesn’t shed light on how or when the Fantastic Four will transition into the primary storyline. For answers, fans will have to wait until next year’s Avengers: Doomsday.

It’s quite logical for the Fantastic Four to make their debut in the MCU as a standalone entity, considering they didn’t initially appear when the franchise began in 2008 due to Marvel not holding the film rights then. However, brief appearances were made in films like “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” and “Deadpool & Wolverine,” with John Krasinski playing a different Mr. Fantastic and Chris Evans reprising his role as Johnny Storm from the ’00s movies, respectively. Now that Disney, which owns Marvel, has acquired Fox in 2019, they can finally bring this esteemed team of classic, eagerly awaited heroes into the Marvel Studios franchise with “First Steps.

In this scenario, the pressure to succeed was immense. Previous attempts at bringing the Fantastic Four to the big screen didn’t fare well critically; the 2005 and 2007 films were at best mediocre and the 2015 version was widely panned. Given that the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) already houses a multitude of superheroes, it was crucial to portray Marvel’s supposed “First Family” accurately. The allure of the Fantastic Four lies in their Space Age beginnings – they were daring scientists who ventured into space and emerged as transformed heroes. However, in a world where superheroes have become commonplace since Iron Man’s press conference, aliens have invaded on numerous occasions, and a cosmic titan nearly wiped out half of all life (only to be reversed), such origins might not seem as thrilling anymore.

For the Fantastic Four to stand out, they needed to be the trailblazers in their world. This is symbolized by Earth-828, unveiled at the end of the credits as a tribute to Jack Kirby’s birthday (August 28, 1917). In a world where the Fantastic Four are the initial and sole superheroes, their significance becomes evident. The movie First Steps, while not perfect, is beneficial for both the characters and the film, as it concentrates solely on the story of the Fantastic Four, without getting entangled in multiversal connections or setting up future cinematic crossover events.

Where do they go from here?

As a movie enthusiast, I’m genuinely excited about what’s coming next! The title card at the end of “First Steps” hinted that the Fantastic Four would make their appearance in “Avengers: Doomsday,” and based on the post-credits scene from the Thunderbolts, it looks like we’ll be seeing their spacecraft arrive on Earth-616. With “Doomsday” already shaping up to be an action-packed extravaganza, it seems like they’ve got quite a cast lined up – The Avengers, the New Avengers, Black Panther, Namor, Shang-Chi, X-Men actors from the Fox films, and even Doctor Doom, who strangely resembles Tony Stark. I can only imagine how they’ll juggle all these characters while also transporting the Fantastic Four from their original universe to ours. It’s going to be one heck of a ride!

After the Fantastic Four join the primary Earth-616 universe, one might ponder the fate of Earth-828. Could it be that they’re merely visiting Earth-616 for an Avengers movie and will return to Earth-828 if a solo Fantastic Four sequel is produced? Or has Earth-828 been incorporated into the main Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) now, implying this could be their permanent home? Both scenarios have drawbacks. The former might result in this long-awaited addition to the MCU not feeling fully integrated, while the latter could diminish the impact of the well-crafted retro-futuristic world that the Fantastic Four originated from. Will future movies revisit this atmosphere? Is it worth caring about this world and its characters? If so, why introduce a romantic relationship between The Thing and Rachel Rozman (played by Natasha Lyonne) if she and her homeworld are insignificant in the grand scheme of things? What about Mole Man? Aren’t we likely to see more of Paul Walter Hauser’s portrayal of Mole Man in future installments? Right, surely!

Transitioning the Fantastic Four into their unique cinematic realm for this latest adaptation could potentially limit their future potential within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). However, Mr. Fantastic might devise a solution that allows them to exist in both universes, thus preserving their original origins. Only time will tell if Kevin Feige can successfully manage this balancing act when the film is released in late 2026.

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2025-07-25 14:06

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