A canceled spinoff to Fox’s Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer would be the best follow-up to the MCU’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps. The Fantastic Four: First Steps marks the first chapter in the journey of Marvel’s First Family. Sue Storm and her family will continue their story in Avengers: Doomsday, Avengers: Secret Wars, and at least one eventual sequel.

All previous Fantastic Four movies struggled to make an impact, though Tim Story’s 2005 Fantastic Four was the only one to lead to a sequel. Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer featured the live-action debut of the Silver Surfer, who stole the show with standout performances by Doug Jones and Laurence Fishburne. However, Fox’s Fantastic Four franchise was paused and later rebooted.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps Leaves The Door Open For A Silver Surfer Spinoff

Shalla-Bal has a smaller role in The Fantastic Four: First Steps than Norrin Radd does in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. Still, the MCU’s Silver Surfer is just as scene-stealing as her Fox counterpart. Shalla-Bal makes an imposing debut as she heralds Galactus’ arrival, stars in a breathtaking action sequence in deep space, and sacrifices herself to defeat Galactus.

Unlike Fox’s Norrin Radd, however, the MCU barely explores Shalla-Bal’s origins and redemption. Shalla-Bal’s Zenn-La backstory is only shown in a brief First Steps flashback, and her change of heart happens off-screen. While it seems like the Silver Surfer will stay behind on Earth-828 after The Fantastic Four: First Steps‘s ending, there’s a chance she could return soon.

Fantastic Four: Rise Of The Silver Surfer’s Canceled Spinoff Could Still Work In The MCU

Twentieth Century Fox planned a Silver Surfer spinoff right as Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer released. Writer J. Michael Straczynski was hired to explore the Surfer’s origins, including his bond to Galactus. However, Fox’s Silver Surfer spinoff was quietly canceled amid Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer‘s lukewarm reception.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps‘ fresh depiction of the Silver Surfer sets the stage for a prequel or sequel starring Shalla-Bal. After Doctor Doom’s story in Avengers: Doomsday, a mid-length Special Presentation similar to the upcoming Punisher showcase could explore Shalla-Bal’s transformation into Galactus’ herald. Otherwise, a Silver Surfer Special Presentation could bridge First Steps and a future Fantastic Four sequel.

Marvel Studios has reduced its output drastically these past couple of years. After The Fantastic Four: First Steps‘ box office results, the studio will likely pick its next projects even more carefully. Still, a Silver Surfer MCU spinoff could thrive as a cosmic installment in Marvel Studios’ next saga, where other cosmic heroes could take the place of the Infinity Saga’s Guardians of the Galaxy.