Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Fantastic Four: First Steps
Marvel should not ignore the mᴀssive potential of the MCU’s newest reality. In Fantastic Four: First Steps, the latest iteration of Marvel’s First Family made its cinematic debut in a new reality, identified as Earth-828. Set apart from the primary MCU timeline, Earth-616, I think there’s some great opportunity to be had with this new universe sooner rather than later.
Inspired by Marvel legend Jack Kirby and his August 28th birthday, Earth-828 is a brand-new timeline home to The Fantastic Four. Set in a retro-futuristic version of the 60s, the aesthetic of this world is quite distinct compared to the main MCU timeline. As such, I think Marvel could make great use of Earth-828, more than anything they might do with Earth-616.
Marvel Studios Wants To Get Back To A Singular Timeline After Secret Wars
One Set Reality Once The Multiverse Saga Concludes
Recently confirmed by Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige himself, the plan is for the MCU to get back to a more singular reality and timeline in the wake of 2027’s Avengers: Secret Wars.
Following 2019’s Avengers: Endgame and the dawn of the Multiverse Saga, audiences have been treated to several different realities and timelines, and even multiple variants of the same character. This has been pulled off to varying degrees of success in the MCU’s recent history.
However, many are hoping to see the excess of multiverse narratives come to a close, allowing greater stakes to return to the franchise. As such, Secret Wars will more than likely close the Multiverse Saga out with a bang, going incredibly big with all the potential the multiverse has to offer before largely leaving the parallel worlds concept behind.
This would be similar to Marvel’s 2015 Secret Wars event in the comics, which saw the total collapse of the multiverse, a mᴀssive patchwork realm of various remnants from different realities being created, and ultimately the creation of a new Earth-616, albeit with some key changes (the multiverse was eventually restored in full on the page as well).
Regardless, it would be very exciting to see something similar for the MCU with the franchise reverting to a single core timeline in the aftermath of the sixth Avengers movie.
Could Fantastic Four’s Earth-828 Become The Main Marvel Timeline?
Colorful and Vibrant, With Plenty of Room To Grow
Keeping that in mind, I think it could be very exciting if the aftermath of Secret Wars resulted in the creation of a new core MCU timeline, one that perhaps uses Earth-828 as a “future foundation” (pun very much intended).
Without question, Earth-828 is an incredibly fun and vibrant world, equal parts nostalgic while also feeling fresh. It embraces the more fantastical and “comic-booky” elements the original Marvel Universe is known for. It’s not unlike the new DCU we’ve been introduced to in James Gunn’s Superman, which has also been met with high praise and excitement from superhero movie fans.
There’s also plenty of room to grow. After all, Fantastic Four: First Steps is set in its own unique version of the 60s, meaning there are decades upon decades a new primary MCU timeline could make use of, not to mention a completely fresh present.
Imagining a scenario where Marvel Studios chooses to merge Earth-616 with 828, they could easily pick and choose what they want to keep and what they want to change and discard. For example, Marvel’s First Family could actually become the MCU’s First Family, before 828 becomes home to a larger influx of MCU heroes.
Perhaps The Fantastic Four could end up living in the present era alongside other current heroes when and if these worlds are merged, or however Earth-828 becomes a new primary timeline for the MCU.
Earth-828 Could Also Help Explain Future MCU Recasts
Like Iron Man and Captain America
In that same vein, Marvel Studios using Earth-828 as the key foundation for a new singular MCU timeline could also help with future recasting efforts.
After all, Kevin Feige also recently confirmed that recasts of major characters like Captain America and Iron Man would eventually happen. He even compared the process to Amazon and MGM’s current search for the next James Bond, or even DC Studios and their new Superman.
A newer timeline that currently only has The Fantastic Four as its established heroes could be perfect. Merging Earths could also work, as Marvel could keep actors who want to stick around (like Tom Holland’s Spider-Man or Chris Hemsworth’s Thor). Conversely, other heroes who aren’t around anymore on Earth-616 could be recast (Iron Man, Captain America, Black Widow).
A newer universe could similarly help debut the MCU’s X-Men who are right around the corner, while still retaining certain characters and elements from the previous Marvel universe.
It’s certainly an exciting prospect as a means to recast without doing a full MCU reboot, though time will tell if Marvel intends to use Earth-828 to its full potential as we near the end of the Multiverse Saga.
