The Fantastic Four: First Steps, the blockbuster set to launch in July this year from Marvel Studios, will take place in a different reality within the MCU universe. This has sparked considerable excitement among fans, particularly about how the Fantastic Four will interact with the Avengers and other superheroes in the fight against the supervillain Doctor Doom, especially with two upcoming Avengers blockbusters: Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, both slated for release in 2026 and 2027.
Before Marvel Studios releases the trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps, there have been numerous theories proposed to resolve this matter. One of the most supported theories is that the Fantastic Four will face defeat right at their MCU debut, leading them to travel to an alternate timeline – Earth-616, the primary setting of the MCU. The latest trailer has seemingly added weight to this theory.
Theory: The Reality of The Fantastic Four: First Steps Will Be Devastated by Galactus
In its first film, the Fantastic Four, Marvel Studios has chosen to introduce one of the most famous characters from Marvel Comics on the big screen. That character is Galactus, who could serve as the “big bad” of an entire MCU phase, much like Thanos did during the Infinity Saga. Therefore, it would be hard to believe if Galactus were to be defeated before the Fantastic Four made their first appearance on screen, and this theory seems to completely contradict that notion.
In the first trailer of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, we can see Galactus making a direct “visit” to Earth, specifically New York City. Although he does not physically appear, Galactus’ presence is felt as his enormous shadow covers a large area of Manhattan. In another scene, we see the size of his form dwarfing the Statue of Liberty, indicating that he is a formidable foe not to be taken lightly, especially in a reality where the Avengers do not exist.
Moreover, this trailer also showcases the main characters of the Fantastic Four, who are seen soaring above their city amidst chaos, with many vehicles flying around and only barely managing to land. Right after that, there is a scene of Ben Grimm fleeing from a collapsing building, signaling an impending catastrophe caused by Galactus that is unfolding in New York City. And the significance of this event is undoubtedly tied to the Marvel superhero team.
Alongside that, many fans have closely examined Reed Richards, the smartest man in the universe and the leader of the Fantastic Four, as he researches the multiverse and how to travel between parallel realities in this film. Every sign indicates that the Marvel family will face a significant challenge in their battle against Galactus, which will ultimately lead to their being forced to move to Earth-616.
The Defeat of the Fantastic Four Will Pave the Way for the Next Two Avengers Projects in the MCU
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is considered one of the most crucial projects in the remaining phase of the Multiverse Saga and may directly connect to Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. A defeat in the MCU debut, while difficult to accept for such an iconic team as the F4, could open up a more favorable narrative direction for the upcoming Avengers installments.
As mentioned earlier, Marvel Studios must introduce the Fantastic Four to the main timeline, Earth-616, before the battle against Doom occurs. This will be justified once Galactus “invades” their world, forcing them to travel to a different timeline, a clever narrative move to “cut ties” with the pursuit of a powerful entity like Galactus.
Secondly, the defeat of the Fantastic Four will elevate the stakes, providing a backdrop for the Avengers to face challenges at unprecedented levels. This could be seen as Marvel Studios cushioning the audience after their previous handling of Kang the Conqueror, who was seen as the main villain of the Multiverse Saga. Before that, Kang was notably defeated by Ant-Man in Ant-Man & the Wasp: Quantumania, a detail that left many fans feeling uneasy and believing that Marvel Studios had mishandled this character. They probably do not want to repeat that mistake with Galactus, another formidable figure in comic lore.
Ultimately, there are indications that the MCU will be rebooted after the events of Secret Wars, with the entire multiverse converging into a singular reality, effectively closing the chapter on the Multiverse Saga to transition to new stories. Retaining Galactus after The Fantastic Four: First Steps will allow Marvel Studios to continue exploring this character in the future, potentially even making him the “big bad” of the next phases.
Source: ScreenRant
