The Fantastic Four: First Stepshas literally changed everything in theMarvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). With the Multiverse Saga rapidly approaching its end, the MCU has finally introduced some of the most iconic characters from the Marvel roster of heroes.
Marvel’s First Family redefined what superhero comics could be, and launched a whole new era for Marvel Comics - and now, more than 50 years after they appeared on the pages of the comics for the first time, they have done the same in the MCU.
Along with shifting the balance of power, introducing overwhelming villains, and expanding the multiverse, these heroes are also getting into position to usher in a new saga with their return inAvengers: DoomsdayandAvengers: Secret Warsalongside Doctor Doom - which may explain whyThe Fantastic Four: First Stepshas so many major game-changers moments in its story.
6Doctor Doom’s Live-Action Debut
Speaking of Victor von Doom,The Fantastic Four: First Steps' mid-credits scenedelivered an absolutely multiverse-shattering moment withthe debut of Doctor Doom. This moment is brief, but extremely poignant, considering what’s next for the multiverse with the upcomingAvengersfilms.
The scene sees a man in a green cloak, with a metal mask held in one hand, bent down in front of Franklin Richards, and hiding his face from the view of Sue Storm and the audience. This is clearly Doom, but his presence in this scene suggests he will form some sort ofconnection with young Franklin.
Considering Franklin’s powers, and Doom’s hunger for power, it appears as though Franklin may be a target or a tool for Doom, as he attempts to take control of the multiverse, and shape and bend reality to his will.
Of course, Doctor Doom is likely to possess some diverse abilities on his own without the aid of Franklin Richards, and his mere presence is already casting a looming shadow over the future of the MCU and the Multiverse as a whole. Doom is arguably themost terrifying villain to join the MCUto date, and his story is just beginning.
5Galactus' Trip To The Edge Of Reality
In addition, Galactus, aka the Devourer of Worlds, also debuted inThe Fantastic Four: First Steps. This is the first appearance of the character in the MCU, and while he resides in the reality that is home to Earth-828, it’s terrifying to see thiscosmic force arrive in the MCU.
That said, Galactus is ultimately overwhelmed by the powers of the heroes inThe Fantastic Four: First Steps' ending, and he finds himself transported away to a distant point in space by one of Reed’s incredible teleportation machines. But the issue remains that this couldpotentially create new problems for the MCUin the future.
Galactus is not dead. And with Reed’s invention being somewhat unpredictable in how it operates when scaled up to such a degree that it could work on Galactus, it could havesent the Great Devourer much further afield than anticipated.
This could mean that Galactus may begin wreaking havoc in the Sacred Timeline, or that he will slowly make his way back to Earth-828, but either way,Galactus is still an enormous threat.
4Franklin Richards' Birth Changes Everything
Galactus also made Reed and his family aware thatReed and Sue’s child, Franklin, possessed the incredible force known as the Power Cosmic. This is the same power that fuels Galactus and allows him to consume and travel throughout the universe.
Franklin may be just an infant, but even in this immature state,First Stepsrevealed thatFranklin is capable of doing spectacular thingswith his powers, such as bringing a dead Sue Storm back to life.
This power exists on a totally different level to anything seen before or since in the MCU, and if it’s anything like the comics,Franklin could literally have the power to end and create entire realitiesthrough simple thought alone.
This shift in the power dynamic presents incredible new opportunities for the heroes, but it also invites exploitation from villains like Doom. And depending on how much Franklin can consciously exercise his abilities as a child, itcould lead to the restructuring of the entire multiversein the MCU.
3There’s A Real Family Of Superheroes In The MCU
TheMCU started out with a dysfunctional teamof individual heroes: the Avengers. Over time, these wildcards found ways to work together, and their love and respect made them a stronger team, but ultimately, when push came to shove with the Sokovia Accords, they fractured and fell apart.
In deep space, the opportunistic space pirates known as the Guardians of the Galaxy have also made an effort to focus on missions that help others, but even this team has changed and split up over time, with theheroes going their separate ways.
More recently, inCaptain America: Brave New WorldandThunderbolts*, new Avengers groupshave formed - but across the board, all of these groups struggle to find a way to come together and work as a true team.
However, thanks to the arrival of the Fantastic Four, there is now areal family of superheroesin the MCU, who have one another’s best interests at heart, and who have years of experience working together both before and after gaining powers.
This is a total game-changer for the MCU, and presents potentially the most effective, cohesive, anduniquely powerful team of superheroesto ever appear in the expanse of the MCU.
2Reed Richards Sets A New Standard For Smartest Man Alive
Tony Stark proved to be one of the most brilliant mindson the planet, with his inventions literally changing the world on several occasions. Stark’s weapon development days and Iron Man suits are prime examples of Tony’s inventive genius, which can also be seen through his work on the Ultron program, and his work harnessing time travel.
However, since his death, it’s unclear who the new brightest mind is in the MCU.Bruce Banner was depicted as being of similar intelligence, and Shuri and Riri Williams are both young geniuses capable of building incredible works of engineering.
However,Reed Richards blows all of these individuals out of the waterwith his designs, literally changing the face of Earth-828, and introducing advanced technologies to the mainstream in what is the equivalent of the 1960s of their reality.
Reed’s inventions, his innovative creativity, and his extraordinary comprehension of science, mathematics, and the multiverse around him make him one of the most brilliant people to ever live in the MCU. Looking at his work with concepts like faster than light travel, teleportation machines, and flying cars, it’sevident that Reed’s intelligence is unrivaled.
1Latveria Expands The World Of The MCU Even Further
One of the more subtle additions to appear inThe Fantastic Four: First Stepsis Latveria. This fictional kingdom is a pivotal part of Doctor Doom’s story in the comics, and isalluded to with a Latveria plaquein the scene wherein Sue Storm forms the Future Foundation, showing Latveria’s representative is missing from this meeting.
Doctor Doom is conventionally depicted as the ruler of Latveria, and many of his choices are influenced by his concern for his people, and his desire to accumulate ever more power to keep them safe. This may prove to be themost threatening addition to the landscape of the MCU, since Doom is also notoriously ruthless.
Latveria also serves as a homebase for Doctor Doom, meaning it could well play a part in the upcoming stories ofAvengers: DoomsdayandAvengers: Secret Wars. Whatever the case may be, though,The Fantastic Four: First Stepshas set Latveria well on its way to becoming a larger part of the MCU later down the line.
