As the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) gears up for the adaptation of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, fans are buzzing with anticipation for how the storyline will introduce Galactus and the iconic team into the franchise’s central narrative. Since the confirmation of the cast in February 2024, my enthusiasm has surged, especially with Galactus and Shalla-Bal’s Silver Surfer being named as principal antagonists. However, there are significant questions that Marvel must resolve regarding the Fantastic Four’s integration into the MCU.
I’m particularly excited to watch Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach portray the new Fantastic Four. Nevertheless, there’s a lingering confusion about how they will officially enter the MCU. Marvel has clarified that The Fantastic Four: First Steps will unfold in an alternate universe within the MCU’s vast multiverse, distinctly separate from Earth-616. With the Fantastic Four set to appear in both Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars, it raises intriguing questions about their transition into the MCU’s primary timeline and what villains they might encounter along the way.
Galactus Will Be The Villain Of The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Alternate Universe
Ralph Ineson Will Voice Galactus In The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Though the ominous figure of Galactus hasn’t yet made an appearance on Earth-616, he is poised to serve as the key antagonist in the alternate universe presented in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Voice actor Ralph Ineson from Yorkshire will bring this cosmic being to life, portraying a powerful presence that traverses the universe seeking planets to consume, with his Heralds by his side. While not a traditional villain, Galactus presents a daunting threat, and I’m eager to see his character adapted faithfully for the MCU.
Previously, Galactus and the Silver Surfer were represented in 2007’s Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, but Marvel Studios promises a more humanoid depiction this time around, moving away from the earlier portrayal as a cosmic entity. Introducing Galactus within the framework of an alternate universe offers the perfect backdrop to portray a reality-threatening villain. However, such a character should have an ongoing presence rather than being a fleeting cameo. I envision Galactus finding a permanent home within the MCU alongside the Fantastic Four, and I have a theory on how this can be done.
Adapting Marvel’s Cataclysm Story Could Bring Galactus & The Fantastic Four To The MCU’s Main Reality
Cataclysm: The Ultimates’ Last Stand Is A Marvel Comics Story From 2013
I believe that the most compelling Marvel Comics storyline that could effectively introduce Galactus and the Fantastic Four into Earth-616 is Cataclysm: The Ultimates’ Last Stand. This 2013 narrative centers around Galactus inadvertently finding himself in the Ultimate Universe of Earth-1610, where he unleashes havoc on the new worlds available for conquest. The story unfolds as Earth-1610’s heroes, including the Ultimates and Miles Morales’ Spider-Man, band together to confront this cosmic threat.
The pivotal turning point occurs when the Maker and Spider-Man travel to Earth-616 to acquire crucial information that later aids in banishing Galactus through a portal to the Negative Zone. Marvel Studios could innovate this plot, reversing the storyline to have Galactus from The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ alternate universe displaced into Earth-616. This scenario would demand collaboration between the existing MCU heroes and the alternate Fantastic Four, leading to a compelling crossover event.
What Other Elements Of Cataclysm Could Be Used In The MCU?
Cataclysm Was A Game-Changing Marvel Comics Event
The Cataclysm: The Ultimates’ Last Stand story arc significantly transformed the dynamics of Earth-1610 in the comics, and its adaptation could similarly reshape the MCU. The storyline could reach a dramatic conclusion, potentially resulting in the deaths of major characters such as Captain Marvel, Vision, Captain America, and Thor, who finds himself trapped in the Negative Zone with Galactus by storyline’s end. While this could imply the end for some beloved MCU characters, it would also pave the way to introduce intriguing new heroes.
Additionally, Miles Morales’ Spider-Man, Reed Richards’ corrupted variant, the Maker, and the X-Men play critical roles in the Cataclysm narrative. Debuting a live-action Miles Morales could fulfill earlier callbacks, such as Aaron Davis’ cameo in Spider-Man: Homecoming, while introducing the Maker would add depth to Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards. The forthcoming X-Men reboot promises a fresh lineup, suggesting that notable mutants could hint at future integration into the MCU starting as early as The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
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