As The Fantastic Four: First Steps approaches its release, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is faced with the crucial task of reassessing its approach to villains. Over the past two decades, the MCU has garnered significant acclaim for its storytelling and character development. However, its treatment of antagonists has often fallen short, highlighting a need for improvement in this area.
Superhero narratives traditionally revolve around heroes triumphing over villains, frequently resulting in the latter’s imprisonment, defeat, or exile. While this formula has been effective for many MCU heroes, The Fantastic Four, known as Marvel’s First Family, offers a different narrative dynamic. Their long-standing legacy comes with a roster of iconic villains, necessitating a more nuanced approach from the MCU.
Villainous Introductions: MCU’s Expansion
A Look at Imposing Villains
Key players like Doctor Doom and Galactus are already confirmed to challenge The Fantastic Four within the MCU. While Galactus will make his first appearance in First Steps, Doom is set to feature in Avengers: Doomsday. Given their formidable nature, it’s likely these villains won’t be conclusively resolved in a single installment. Additionally, Namor, who has previously clashed with heroes like Mister Fantastic, may resurface, especially following his introduction in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, as the Multiverse Saga unfolds.
It’s important to recognize that Galactus’s presence poses unique challenges; he is not so easily vanquished but can be momentarily subdued. Doom represents a perpetual threat for the Fantastic Four, continuously inventing ways to challenge the heroes. Namor’s complexity further enriches the narrative, positioning him as both antagonist and ally at different times in the comics.
Multiple Appearances: An Opportunity for Depth
Importance of Extended Story Arcs
To fully realize their narratives, these villains require adequate screen time for character exploration. While Galactus is set to appear in First Steps, there are no indications of his return beyond this film. If his journey concludes after merely one appearance, the MCU would be forgoing the chance to delve into one of Marvel’s most intriguing and powerful characters.
Unlike characters such as Thanos or Kang, Doctor Doom has received minimal foreshadowing within the MCU beyond formal confirmations. As it stands, he remains an enigma with no prior exploration. The challenge for the MCU lies in devising a compelling way for heroes to confront him in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars while ensuring he can continue to pose a legitimate threat beyond these encounters.
Rethinking Villain Story Arcs
Prioritizing Recurring Villains
The MCU has successfully built up major villains like Thanos over time, hinting at his presence long before his storyline came to fruition. Unfortunately, the current trend leans toward standalone villain narratives, leading to their potential vanishing from the larger MCU narrative. This is especially concerning for The Fantastic Four, whose adversaries wield considerable menace and merit deeper storytelling.
For a character as significant as Doctor Doom, it would be a grave oversight to allow him to appear in Avengers: Doomsday only to fade into obscurity by Avengers: Secret Wars. Whether that involves Robert Downey Jr. reprising the role or casting a different actor to portray a variant is of secondary importance. Ultimately, the narrative for The Fantastic Four cannot be complete without addressing Doctor Doom. The Fantastic Four: First Steps presents an opportunity to elevate these extraordinary rivalries within the MCU, but it must also set the stage for their reappearances in future installments.