Marvel Studios is poised to introduce a significant transformation within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) with its upcoming film, The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Fans are astonished that it has taken four years since the launch of the Multiverse Saga to arrive at this pivotal moment. The recent teaser trailer for the reboot has unveiled aspects of the alternate universe setting that the film will explore. Scheduled for release on July 25, 2025, this film promises a uniquely different experience compared to prior MCU movies, marking a long-awaited progression in the franchise.
When Marvel confirmed the Fantastic Four’s integration into the MCU following Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox in 2019, anticipation grew about how their historical absence would be addressed within the established narrative. Various theories emerged, ranging from retroactively inserting the team into the MCU’s 1960s timeline to suggesting they were trapped within the Quantum Realm. Rather than following these traditional routes, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is opting for a fresh narrative direction that many fans believe should have been explored sooner.
Marvel’s New Focus on Alternate Universes
Exploring Alternate Realities in The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Notably, The Fantastic Four: First Steps will be the first film in the MCU to be set entirely in an alternate universe. After the conclusion of the Infinity Saga, which centered on the defeat of Thanos, the Multiverse Saga commenced in 2021. However, many projects have only lightly touched on parallel realities, failing to fully immerse viewers in these alternate worlds. The teaser has showcased the immense potential that an expansive exploration of alternate universes can offer Marvel, prompting speculation about why previous projects didn’t delve deeper into this concept.
The film’s cast—consisting of renowned actors Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach—will introduce the Fantastic Four from a retro-futuristic universe inspired by the 1960s. Portrayed as celebrity superheroes akin to The Beatles, their narrative will integrate cultural elements from the Space Race, offering new creative opportunities for the studio.
The Need for Enhanced Multiverse Exploration
Missed Opportunities in the Multiverse Saga
The excitement surrounding the establishment of a novel universe within The Fantastic Four: First Steps underscores a missed opportunity within the broader Multiverse Saga. Many fans believe that earlier projects could have capitalized on the saga’s overarching theme by deeply engaging with alternate realities from the outset. While works such as Loki and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness offered brief forays into different worlds, the potential for a more comprehensive exploration has largely gone untapped.
| MCU Live-Action Multiverse Project | Year |
|---|---|
|
Loki |
2021-23 |
|
Spider-Man: No Way Home |
2021 |
|
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness |
2022 |
|
The Marvels |
2023 |
|
Deadpool & Wolverine |
2024 |
|
The Fantastic Four: First Steps |
2025 |
Although Marvel Animation’s What If…? series introduced a diverse range of alternate worlds, live-action adaptations have predominantly steered clear of these creative avenues. The thrilling moments captured on Earth-838 in Doctor Strange and in other locations in The Marvels highlighted the excitement that could have flourished through further exploration, potentially strengthening the anticipated crossovers in Phase 6.
The Future of the MCU Multiverse
The Convergence of Alternate Realities in Phase Six
Marvel Studios has announced a stellar cast for the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, set for a 2026 release, featuring several familiar faces from outside the MCU’s main narrative. The return of actors such as Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, and Channing Tatum from Fox’s X-Men universe brings heightened expectations for interdimensional storytelling. The exploration of these varied characters could greatly enhance the vibrancy of Doomsday and the impending Secret Wars saga.
Aside from the X-Men, there lies vast potential for a myriad of characters from other alternate realities to join forces in these climactic events. Iconic characters such as Jennifer Garner’s Elektra and Wesley Snipes’ Blade could also return, allowing the MCU to weave in newly introduced original characters. This approach would make Doomsday and Secret Wars among Marvel’s most thrilling projects to date.
Lessons Learned from the Multiverse Saga
Enhancing Future Sagas in the MCU
Even though it is named the Multiverse Saga, this recent chapter of the MCU has not fully capitalized on the expansive multiverse concept. The narrative has also diverted attention towards supernatural and political storylines, taking the spotlight away from multiversal themes. Marvel Studios has an opportunity to learn from the shortcomings of this saga as it prepares for what fans speculate will be the “Mutant Saga.”
Currently, a reboot for the X-Men is in its conceptual stages, with the script being developed by Michael Lesslie, known for his work on The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Rumors of a potential Disney+ series focusing on Academy X have also circulated.
It’s imperative for Marvel to avoid waiting until later in the expected “Mutant Saga”to feature the X-Men as prominently as The Fantastic Four: First Steps will explore its alternate universe. A streamlined and interconnected narrative could alleviate many criticisms that have arisen recently, providing a more coherent and engaging journey for audiences moving forward.