The Fantastic Four: First Steps will take place in a different universe from the main one in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and the reason for that is what has plagued the franchise since Avengers: Endgame. A few of the MCU’s best movies have been released during the Multiverse Saga. However, this phase of the franchise has sadly proven itself divisive.
Marvel has listened to the Multiverse Saga’s criticisms, making changes to how it develops movies and completely overhauling its TV division. I’m confident that future MCU projects will make good use of those changes. However, some films and shows, like the highly-anticipated The Fantastic Four: First Steps, are still going to feel the effects of the state of the post-Endgame MCU.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Universe Is Completely Different From The Main MCU
Marvel Studios Is Exploring The Full Scope Of The Multiverse Saga
The Fantastic Four: First Steps will be a unique entry for both the MCU and live-action Fantastic Four movies. Not only is the Marvel Studios film not set in the franchise’s main continuity, Earth-616, but it is also set in the past. I find it interesting that the MCU’s Fantastic Four reboot decided to use the freedom the Multiverse Saga offers.
This way, Marvel can separate the MCU’s Fantastic Four from all that came before. The powerful team will hail from another universe, living in a retro-futuristic 1960s New York City. Perhaps no director was better for the film than Matt Shakman, who helmed WandaVision for Marvel and showed he knows exactly how to make the most out of a retro setting.
|
MCU Fantastic Four Member |
Played By |
|---|---|
|
Reed Richards’ Mister Fantastic |
Pedro Pascal |
|
Sue Storm’s Invisible Woman |
Vanessa Kirby |
|
Johnny Storm’s Human Torch |
Joseph Quinn |
|
Ben Grimm’s Thing |
Ebon Moss-Bachrach |
Adding to the uniqueness of The Fantastic Four: First Steps is the fact that in this new universe, there are no other heroes. Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards and the rest of the MCU’s Fantastic Four are the only ones who can defend Earth from Galactus and other threats. This is a solid setup, though the reason for it is complicated.
The Fantastic Four Come From A Different Universe Because Of Thanos
The Infinity Saga’s Main Villain Continues To Impact The MCU
Ever since Marvel revealed that The Fantastic Four: First Steps would be set in another universe, I have been curious to find out why the studio decided to go in that direction and how the team could join the main MCU. Thankfully, answers to both of those questions have now come close together. First, Thunderbolts* introduced the Fantastic Four.
Now, during a conversation with SFX, the director of the MCU’s Fantastic Four movie, Matt Shakman, revealed the reason why the team lives on another Earth. According to Shakman, Marvel did not want to have the Fantastic Four come from the main MCU universe because that led to questions about where they were when Thanos attacked.
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Shakman claims that had the Fantastic Four been from the MCU’s main universe, “They would have helped out. They would have solved the problem then.” That is a question that many fans have been asking regarding how Marvel would introduce the Fantastic Four and the X-Men to the MCU. Aside from the Fantastic Four’s debut, Fox’s X-Men are in Avengers: Doomsday.
The MCU Has Become A Hostage Of Its Established Continuity
Marvel Studios Needs To Find A Solution To All The MCU’s “Baggage”
There are positives, but also some sizable negatives to how Thanos led to the Fantastic Four coming from another universe. On the one hand, Marvel will not have to deal with any criticism about the heroes coming from the MCU but not helping out in major events, something the studio had to deal with during Eternals‘ release.
One of the main issues of the Multiverse Saga is how the elevated number of projects started to feel like homework.
However, by making Thanos completely change the Fantastic Four’s story to the point that they not only come from another universe but a retro-futuristic reality set in the 1960s, Marvel is giving too much responsibility over its future to past events. One of the main issues of the Multiverse Saga is how the elevated number of projects started to feel like homework.
While I understand not wanting to field questions about where the Fantastic Four were when Thanos attacked, Marvel can’t keep limiting other projects due to past events. I do not think it will hurt the Fantastic Four because of the freedom that the multiverse offers. However, when the Multiverse Saga ends, that type of move could negatively impact the MCU.
Avengers: Secret Wars Can Offer The MCU What It Needs To Be Free
The Franchise Is In Need Of A Fresh Perspective After More Than A Decade
Continuity is important, but not to the point that the MCU has to be bound to stories from movies released years ago forever. That is why I believe Avengers: Secret Wars can present the MCU with the best solution to its Thanos problem. In the 2015 Secret Wars event from Marvel Comics, the heroes created a new multiverse.
There are reports that the MCU will face a reboot after Avengers: Secret Wars. I’m convinced that is the ideal way for the franchise to continue to grow while not having to deal with all the baggage since 2008’s Iron Man. Key characters like Captain America, Black Widow, and Iron Man could be recast for the next decade of the MCU.
This way, the MCU’s original Avengers, the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, and more Marvel teams could co-exist from the start of the new MCU. It would eliminate the Thanos debate and create a new jumping-on point for those who want to follow the MCU. Choices like setting The Fantastic Four: First Steps in another universe would not be needed.
