Marvel’s Fantastic Four Connection to Thanos: What It Means for the Future of the MCU

The excitement surrounding Marvel Studios’ latest offering, Fantastic Four: First Steps, has reached a fever pitch with the release of its initial teaser trailer. This film stands as a pivotal point for the MCU, echoing the fervor fans felt during the era of Thanos, the franchise’s quintessential antagonist.Fantastic Four not only heralds a new chapter for Marvel, but it intriguingly weaves connections to the cherished Infinity Saga, particularly through the often-overlooked links between Thanos and the Fantastic Four. This dynamic could herald significant implications for the future of the MCU.

The Origin of Thanos in the Ultimate Universe

The character of Thanos was first explored in Ultimate Fantastic Four #35 by Mike Carey and Pasqual Ferry, introducing a version from Earth-1610—distinct from the Earth-616 Thanos familiar to comic and cinematic audiences. This incarnation of Thanos emerged from a dimension outside the traditional bounds of the Ultimate Universe, having ambitions to conquer his own cosmic realm before facing off against Marvel’s Ultimate heroes, including the Fantastic Four.

Thanos making his debut in the Ultimate Universe.

The Fantastic Four’s Encounter with Thanos and the Cosmic Cube

The first major storyline featuring Thanos in the Ultimate narrative spanned Ultimate Fantastic Four #35-38, depicting the Fantastic Four’s brave journey to Thanos’ dimension to assist local resistance forces. During this encounter, Thanos recognized Reed Richards as the creator of the Cosmic Cube, a pivotal artifact in the universe. Following the defeat of Ronan the Accuser, Thanos established a psychic connection with Reed, subtly influencing him to recreate the Cosmic Cube.

The saga continued in Ultimate Fantastic Four #50-53, revealing how Reed, while unknowingly directed by Thanos, completed the Cosmic Cube. Eager for ultimate power, Thanos invaded the main Ultimate Universe, seizing the Cube, and turning Earth’s heroes—including Spider-Man and the Ultimates—into his obedient soldiers, as he reshaped the world in his image. Ultimately, Reed’s foresight led to a fail-safe mechanism that allowed him to reclaim control of the Cube, culminating in Thanos’ defeat.

Echoes of Infinity War in the Ultimate Universe

Thanos’ exploits in the Ultimate Universe mirror the narrative arc of the MCU’s Infinity War and Endgame. In both tales, Thanos embarks on a quest for cosmic dominance, facing off against heroes in a desperate bid to forestall destruction. In each scenario, he emerges victorious initially, employing the immense power at his disposal to enforce his version of cosmic order—an unsettling parallel reflecting the core essence of Thanos throughout Marvel’s various incarnations.

Reintroducing Thanos in the MCU’s New Continuity

The existence of the Fantastic Four in a separate universe presents a fascinating opportunity for the MCU to reintroduce Thanos, potentially tapping into the character’s ties to the Ultimate Universe. The prior film, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, has already established that other universes can have their own versions of known villains, indicating a precedent for Thanos’s potential return.

As Fantastic Four: First Steps approaches release, the MCU could unveil this new iteration of Thanos, perhaps steering closer to the Ultimate version and adapting storylines that have remained unexplored in the mainstream continuity. Notably, this version’s obsession with the Cosmic Cube opens doorways that have yet to be traversed in the cinematic adaptation.

While it’s uncertain if Thanos will be the main antagonist in Fantastic Four: First Steps, a strategic inclusion of an Ultimate Thanos in a post-credits scene could serve as a tantalizing callback reminiscent of Marvel’s early interconnected storytelling. As the MCU continues to evolve, having a multidimensional antagonist like Thanos waiting in the wings keeps possibilities alive for upcoming films, including Avengers: Secret Wars.

In conclusion, while the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to expand, the unique ties between the Fantastic Four and Thanos from the Ultimate Universe present a compelling narrative avenue—one that not only honors comic book lore but also captivates viewers seeking fresh yet familiar thrills. With such a possibility on the horizon, fans may be in for significant developments that reconnect with the franchise’s storied past.

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