The upcoming The Fantastic Four: First Steps could introduce a new, better version of some of their most prominent antagonists, which have been wasted in various MCU titles. 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"s The Fantastic Four: First Steps will 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 Steps will take place in a 1960s-inspited timeline separate 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 in The Fantastic Four: First Steps after 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 in The 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 Close Captain Marvel featured 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 as Spider-Man: Far From Home and WandaVision, and they blended in on Earth until a rogue faction attacked in Secret Invasion. Unfortunately, Secret Invasion did 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.
Related 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.
Posts 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 in The 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 Steps could also introduce a new version of the Super Skrulls, whose abrupt and inconsequential introduction in Secret Invasion was 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 Custom image by Nicolas Ayala 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. Previous Fantastic Four movies have adapted Doctor Doom and Galactus, but none of those adaptations have been as popular as most major MCU antagonists. Now, The Fantastic Four: First Steps can finally give the titular team a strong set of antagonists for the first time in live-action.
Your changes have been saved

Email is sent
Email has already been sent
My List My Favorite Movies My Watchlist Success!

The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Director Matt Shakman Writers Josh Friedman , Jeff Kaplan , Ian Springer Cast Pedro Pascal , Vanessa Kirby , Ebon Moss-Bachrach , Joseph Quinn Release Date July 25, 2025 Franchise(s) Marvel Cinematic Universe Upcoming MCU Movies Your changes have been saved

Email is sent
Email has already been sent
My List My Favorite Movies My Watchlist Success!

Captain America: Brave New World
Release Date February 14, 2025 Your changes have been saved

Email is sent
Email has already been sent
My List My Favorite Movies My Watchlist Success!

Thunderbolts*
Release Date May 2, 2025 Your changes have been saved

Email is sent
Email has already been sent
My List My Favorite Movies My Watchlist Success!

The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Release Date July 25, 2025 Your changes have been saved

Email is sent
Email has already been sent
My List My Favorite Movies My Watchlist Success!

Avengers: Doomsday (2026)
Release Date Your changes have been saved

Email is sent
Email has already been sent
My List My Favorite Movies My Watchlist Success!

Spider-Man Homecoming 4
Release Date July 24, 2026 Your changes have been saved

Email is sent
Email has already been sent
My List My Favorite Movies My Watchlist Success!

Avengers: Secret Wars
Release Date May 7, 2027

---