With Fantastic Four: First Steps‘ launch only a few months away, many followers are trying again at their comedian e-book historical past, choosing via enemies and allies alike. On that observe, The Fantastic Four has not at all times been so literal with the identify, opening the door to incorporate many different Marvel heroes, not simply direct members of the family. Extra importantly, a number of of those further heroes have already made their look in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). This begs the query: Will the Fantastic Four of the MCU see a future collaboration, or will they be compelled to stay a extra standalone standing?
Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps is because of launch in theaters on July 25, 2025. It’s a giant second for the MCU, because it marks the starting of a number of issues. First, it’s the first time The Fantastic Four can be showing in the MCU. Second, it’s kicking off the begin of Marvel’s Section Six. The movie additionally stars many beloved actors, together with Pedro Pascal (Reed Richards), Vanessa Kirby (Sue Storm), Joseph Quinn (Johnny Storm), and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Ben Grimm). These 4 make up the major crew, however there’s additionally Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and Silver Surfer (Julia Garner). If followers are actually fortunate, these gained’t be the solely characters to grace the MCU crew’s roster.
1) She-Hulk
Jennifer Walter is a well-known face in Marvel Comics. As the cousin of Bruce Banner, Jen ultimately discovered herself a member of the Hulk household. Her origin story varies considerably from the comics to the MCU, however that shouldn’t negate the potential for her to affix this crew. In the comics, Jen, aka She-Hulk, stepped in for Ben Grimm following the Secret Wars occasion. Throughout that main Marvel occasion, Ben misplaced his powers, forcing the crew to simply accept one other hero to fill the void he left behind.
She-Hulk’s MCU story, She-Hulk: Lawyer at Regulation, was met with combined fan critiques, with some individuals loving her lighter type of storytelling. Performed by Tatiana Maslany, Jennifer Walter is a fierce lawyer looking for a troublesome work/life/superhero stability. Most of us wrestle with simply the work/life stability. Right here’s the factor – She-Hulk was a strong member of The Fantastic Four, filling a job and balancing the crew in distinctive methods. She may try this once more in the MCU. In flip, the crew may assist revitalize her story, giving She-Hulk a second shot at the MCU life.
2) Luke Cage
There was a quick window of time when followers had been unsure if the Netflix casting counted towards the MCU characters, however the newest Marvel collection, Daredevil: Born Once more, acknowledged a lot of the casting. In different phrases, Luke Cage, as performed by Mike Colter, is formally in the MCU. In the comics, Luke Cage joined The Fantastic Four at a tough level for the crew, as The Factor misplaced his powers. As such, the crew wanted a brand new heavy lifter, and who higher than Luke? It’s necessary to notice that Luke first joined the crew in the ’70s, so lots has occurred to him and the crew since then. A few of these modifications have already been mirrored of their MCU equivalents.
Luke’s time on The Fantastic Four was actually fascinating, as Luke is a really totally different hero from the major crew. For starters, Luke has a really totally different ethical take on hero life, as evidenced by his time with the Heroes for Rent. This brings us to the Luke Cage of the MCU. This model of Luke was final seen taking on a brand new function in his metropolis, leaving followers involved about the path he would possibly observe. If the MCU leans additional into this, it may spell an interesting time (and main battle) with Luke and the Fantastic Four crew.
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3) Ant-Man
The Fantastic Four have needed to open their doorways to many heroes over the years, together with Ant-Man. Right here’s the place issues get just a little fascinating, as each The Fantastic Four and the MCU made an identical determination. In the comics, the Fantastic Four requested Scott Lang to affix their roster. This occurred throughout a time when Mr. Fantastic was lacking (a terrifying thought, frankly), and Sue Storm was main the crew/search celebration for her husband. Scott was a pure addition to the crew, particularly as they wanted assist moving into the microverse.
Naturally, the MCU additionally went with Scott Lang (performed by Paul Rudd) as the titular Ant-Man. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) was nonetheless on the scene, although this time as extra of a information (calling him Scott’s function mannequin can be going a step too far). MCU Ant-Man has already reached out to at least one crew (the Avengers) with an concept that might make the most of his expertise to save lots of the universe. So, the components is already there to convey Ant-Man into the fold of yet one more Marvel crew. Nevertheless, Ant-Man’s induction into the Fantastic Four in all probability requires Mr. Fantastic to step out, even briefly. That is in all probability much less probably, at the very least in the early days of the newly established crew.
4) Black Panther
T’Challa, aka Black Panther, is considered one of the sharpest minds in Marvel Comics. He’s a reliable chief who can get any crew via the worst they should face, so naturally, Marvel has had him enroll with dozens of groups since his introduction. For instance, he stepped in to assist run The Fantastic Four at a time when Sue and Reed wanted to step away (in a transfer to save lots of their marriage, however that’s a unique story). Since Sue at all times left throughout this time, Storm stepped in to fill her function. Since the two had been married at the time, it appeared like a pure alteration of the crew’s story.
In the MCU, Chadwick Boseman introduced T’Challa’s character to new heights. Followers immediately beloved his portrayal of the character, although sadly, Boseman handed away in 2020. Marvel has been fairly clear about not recasting the character, although they did let the Black Panther mantle cross to his little sister, Shuri (Letitia Wright). Thus, a model of Black Panther may nonetheless be part of the MCU Fantastic Four. In the comics, Shuri labored alongside the Fantastic Four (and the X-Males) to take care of a big risk: Physician Doom. It’s simple to see how these items may join in the MCU.
5) Spider-man
Opposite to fashionable perception, the Spider-Man of the comics wasn’t at all times chasing after his dream to change into an Avenger. Lengthy earlier than he wished to be an Avenger, he wished to be a member of The Fantastic Four. As such, even in his earliest days, Peter Parker was working to affix the crew. Whereas he was initially denied, he would later step in to fill Johnny Storm’s function, for a time. Even when Peter wasn’t a part of The Fantastic Four, followers beloved to see him work together with the crew. Given how all of them work outdoors of New York, they naturally cross paths very often.
If there’s one hero the followers actually need to see be part of the MCU Fantastic Four, it’s in all probability Spider-Man. Performed by Tom Holland, this Spider-Man is a bit youthful, although he’s actually gone via lots. His subsequent movie is arguably designed to assist him work out a path ahead as a hero, which can convey him proper to the doorstep of The Fantastic Four. If nothing else, Peter may use one other superhero good friend proper about now, and Johnny Storm had at all times been there for Parker in the comics; why not in the MCU?
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6) Wolverine
Let’s be actual for a second, individuals love Wolverine. The creators could love him much more than the followers, which explains how he seemingly finally ends up on almost each crew in Marvel. So, after all, he was a part of The Fantastic Four, even when it was just for a brief time frame. Apparently, in the comics, there was a time limit through which all 4 members of The Fantastic Four had been changed. Of their place, readers had Wolverine, Spider-Man, Ghost Rider, and Hulk. It might sound like an odd crew, but it surely did attract new readers, which was the entire level.
Four heroes changing The Fantastic Four will in all probability by no means occur in the MCU, and we’re okay with that. Nevertheless, it will be plenty of enjoyable to see Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) pop in for a team-up right here and there. For instance, in the present continuity of the comics, Wolverine is an honorary member of the crew, full with an emergency sign that can summon him as wanted. Nevertheless, followers shouldn’t maintain their breath ready for Wolverine to affix up with The Fantastic Four anytime quickly, as there are not any strong plans to convey again Hugh Jackman’s character. At the least, not for the second.
7) Hulk
As talked about in the earlier level, Ghost Rider, Wolverine, Spider-Man, and the Hulk all got here collectively to maintain The Fantastic Four getting in the ’90s. It was an experiment on Marvel’s half, and it largely did okay. Nevertheless, followers would have been simply as joyful to see another excuse to convey these 4 heroes collectively (whereas leaving the Fantastic household intact).
In the MCU, Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) has been round virtually from the begin. He even survived the high-stakes occasions of Avengers: Infinity Warfare and Endgame, which sadly, not all of the unique crew can say. So, sure, followers can see Hulk be part of up with the Fantastic Four. Nevertheless, we in all probability gained’t be seeing him and three different heroes change the crew. As a substitute, he’ll in all probability go together with a route extra much like She-Hulk’s, stepping in for Ben Grimm as wanted. Followers are welcome to debate how probably that is, but it surely actually can be good to see Hulk get a brand new plot arc at the arms of The Fantastic Four.
