The highly anticipated The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set to transport Marvel’s iconic superhero team into the heart of Earth-616 on July 25, 2025. As part of the MCU’s Phase 6, this film will uniquely explore an alternate universe, shedding light on the long absence of the Fantastic Four from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). However, it’s expected that this journey will ultimately lead the team back into the primary continuity, paving the way for their continued adventures in future films.
In an exciting turn of events, the cast features Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach taking on the role of Ben Grimm. They are anticipated to face off against formidable foes such as Galactus and the Silver Surfer, with rumors suggesting catastrophic events that could lead to the destruction of their world. Yet, given their confirmed appearance in Avengers: Doomsday, it is likely they will discover a way to survive and reunite with the Avengers.
Marvel’s New Fantastic Four Team May Have Unearthed Time Travel Technology
The Fantastic Four: Equipping Themselves with Advanced Technology
On April 4, Hasbro celebrated the upcoming Marvel Legends line by unveiling teaser images of the Fantastic Four action figures. While the full costumes remain hidden, one striking detail emerged: each member dons metallic bracelets on their wrists. This intriguing addition has sparked discussions about their purpose and potential role in the team’s storyline.
Happy 4-4 Day! More #MarvelLegends to come. Have a FANTASTIC Friday! #FantasticFourFirstSteps arrives in theaters July 25, 2025! #FantasticFour #MarvelLegendsSeries pic.twitter.com/0qmpeT9vOu — Hasbro Pulse (@HasbroPulse) April 4, 2025
The Role of Time Travel Bracelets in the Fantastic Four’s Journey to Earth-616
The Importance of Inter-Universe Travel for the Fantastic Four
The introduction of technology akin to Tony Stark’s time travel devices could strongly support the premise of the Fantastic Four navigating between universes. In Avengers: Endgame, these innovative devices enabled the Avengers to traverse multiple timelines, allowing for an exciting reunion with their original continuity. This narrative device could similarly aid the Fantastic Four in their transition from an alternate universe to Earth-616.
Should these bracelets share characteristics with the Dimensional Travel Watches depicted in the animated Spider-Verse series, it could potentially reveal the team’s complex backstory—suggesting they are originally from Earth-616 but became trapped in another universe due to a mishap in the 1960s. This premise implies that a central goal during their exploration in The Fantastic Four: First Steps will be their quest to return home, presenting opportunities for reunions with familiar characters upon their re-entry into the MCU.
The Advantages of Time Travel Technology for the Fantastic Four
Creating MCU Connectivity for the Fantastic Four in Phase 6
While director Matt Shakman has indicated that The Fantastic Four: First Steps will not feature cameos from other MCU characters, this unique approach may risk creating a narrative that feels disconnected from the broader Marvel universe. Integrating technology inspired by Tony Stark could effectively bridge this gap, underscoring the shared genius of both Stark and Reed Richards, who is often hailed as the Smartest Man Alive.
With the MCU already exploring various forms of multiversal travel, it’s plausible that the Fantastic Four will employ any number of existing methods to navigate to Earth-616. Whether through a TVA Time Door, utilizing America Chavez’s powers, or even encountering a portal linked to the Spider-Verse, the introduction of Reed Richards’ uniquely designed tech seems the most fitting approach. If the scientific principles remain consistent in the alternate universe of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, leveraging Stark’s technology would complement the team’s abilities seamlessly.