Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Ironheart episodes 4-6The Fantastic Four’s second MCU villain may have been introduced even before The Fantastic Four: First Steps hit theaters. Breaking a thirty-one-year-old trend, the Fantastic Four’s MCU debut movie doesn’t feature Doctor Doom as its main antagonist. Instead, it’s Ralph Ineson’s larger-than-life Galactus who provides the team with their first on-screen battle.

Following their MCU introduction, the Fantastic Four will likely settle in the MCU’s main timeline as central characters. The Fantastic Four: First Steps will probably lead to a direct sequel set on Earth-616 soon, and the тιтular team will likely star in MCU crossovers with other heroes like Spider-Man and the Avengers. Remarkably, The Fantastic Four: First Steps‘ sequel has the chance to break an important movie trend.

Mephisto Is An Enemy Of The Fantastic Four, Doctor Doom, And The Silver Surfer

Mephisto Is A Longtime Fantastic Four Villain

Mephisto has become a fierce enemy of the Fantastic Four, as well as a rival of the team’s own villains. Mephisto made his comic book debut in Silver Surfer #3, where he tormented Norrin Radd, trying to acquire his soul. In fact, Mephisto targeted The Fantastic Four: First Steps‘ Shalla-Bal, Norrin Radd’s romantic partner, to achieve it. Later, it was revealed that Mephisto successfully bought the soul of Cynthia von Doom, making the demon one of Doctor Doom’s nemeses.

In Fantastic Four #277, Mephisto targets the team by abducting Franklin to corrupt the kid’s soul. Later, Mephisto steals Reed Richards’ intelligence, leading the Fantastic Four to team up with the X-Men and X-Factor. The conflict escalates until Mephisto defeats the Avengers and outsmarts Hela, Thor, and even the Living Tribunal. Over the years, Mephisto has resurfaced multiple times, only satisfied by chaos.

Mephisto Debuts At The Perfect Time To Be The Fantastic Four’s Next Movie Antagonist

Mephisto Can Be The Fantastic Four’s Most Unique Movie Villain

Marvel’s Fantastic Four have a wide variety of villains in the comics, from Mole Man and the Red Ghost to Terrax and Annihilus. However, only Doctor Doom and Galactus have been their main antagonists on the big screen. After their battle against Galactus in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, the Fantastic Four will face Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. Then, Marvel’s First Family could finally fight a new antagonist — Mephisto.

After years of fan speculation, Mephisto finally made his MCU debut in Ironheart. Mephisto’s introduction now allows him to have comic-accurate interactions with a wide range of characters, including Spider-Man, Doctor Strange, and of course, the Fantastic Four and their enemies. By pitting the Fantastic Four against Mephisto in The Fantastic Four: First Steps‘ sequel, Marvel Studios would present a live-action Fantastic Four story unlike any other.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps Sets The Stage For The Team’s Fight Against Mephisto

The MCU May Have Also Introduced The Hero Who Will Defeat Mephisto

In the aforementioned battle between the Fantastic Four and Mephisto, a young Franklin Richards neutralizes and seemingly kills his demonic kidnapper by shooting blasts of powerful energy from his eyes. The Fantastic Four: First Steps sees Sue Storm and Reed Richards receive Franklin into their family. By the time The Fantastic Four: First Steps‘ sequel rolls around, Franklin could be the same age and power level his comic book counterpart was when he singlehandedly defeated Marvel’s Devil.