The upcomingThe Fantastic Four: First Stepscould introduce a new, better version of some of their most prominent antagonists, which have been wasted in variousMCUtitles. Similarly to the X-Men, the Defenders, and the Inhumans, the Fantastic Four have taken a long time to make their first appearance in the MCU. In Phase 5,Matt Shakman’sThe Fantastic Four: First Stepswill introduce a brand-new version of Marvel’s First Family, this time originating in a differerent timeline.
As confirmed by Marvel,The Fantastic Four: First Stepswill take place in a 1960s-inspited timelineseparate from the MCU’s main universe. This alternate timeline might be full of villains who haven’t appeared on Earth-616, including many of the Fantastic Four’s classic comic book villains. After all, Silver Surfer and Galactus will make their MCU debut inThe Fantastic Four: First Stepsafter a long absence in the MCU.It’s also possible that the Fantastic Four’s home timeline will also feature alternate variants of already established MCU characters, some of which could make a cameo inThe Fantastic Four: First Steps.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps Can Introduce New Variants Of The Skrulls And The Super Skrull
The Fantastic Four’s MCU Introduction Could Redeem The Skrulls And Super Skrulls
Captain Marvelfeatured a plot twist that made the MCU’s Skrulls drastically different from their comic book counterparts. Instead of a devious, power-hungry alien species, the MCU’s Skrulls were revealed to be the victims of the Kree’s crusades. Benevolent Skrulls like Talos and Soren became mainstay Skrull heroes in titles such asSpider-Man: Far From HomeandWandaVision, and they blended in on Earth until a rogue faction attacked inSecret Invasion. Unfortunately,Secret Invasiondid very little with the kind-hearted Skrulls, as they weren’t welcomed by the Earth, didn’t find refuge on a new planet, and didn’t play any role in the rogue Skrull’s defeat.
Marvel’s Original Plan For The Skrulls Was Repeatedly Upset By Legal Problems
Before the MCU’s Phases 3, 4, and 5 delved deeper into the Skrulls, Marvel had another plan for the aliens that was constantly ruined by legal issues.
The MCU is unlikely to modify the Skrulls' story on Earth-616 anytime soon. However, a more comic-accurate version of the Skrulls could be introduced inThe Fantastic Four: First Steps, where they could make a cameo as Fantastic Four villains or former enemies who find themselves forced to work with the heroes in order to stop Galactus. Likewise,The Fantastic Four: First Stepscould also introduce a new version of the Super Skrulls, whose abrupt and inconsequential introduction inSecret Invasionwas met with vocal criticism.
The MCU’s Fantastic Four Villains Must Be A Priority For Marvel
The MCU Has Already Wasted Several Fantastic Four Villains
The Skrulls, the Super Skrulls, and Ronan the Accuser are some of the Fantastic Four’s most prominent villains in the comics, but the MCU not only introduced them before the Fantastic Four made their debut, but also gave them little to do in their few MCU appearances.PreviousFantastic Fourmovieshave adapted Doctor Doom and Galactus, but none of those adaptations have been as popular as most major MCU antagonists. Now,The Fantastic Four: First Stepscan finally give the titular team a strong set of antagonists for the first time in live-action.
