Marvel’s Fantastic Four (2025) will finally bring the Fantastic Four into the MCU, and there are a few Fantastic Four theories that would massively change Phase 6 and beyond. Following Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox, the Fantastic Four and its ing characters can now be used by Marvel Studios. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness brought John Krasinski as Reed Richards from Earth-838, teasing the Fantastic Four’s future in the MCU.
Whether John Krasinski will play Earth-616 Reed Richards remains to be seen. While not much is known about Marvel’s Fantastic Four story, the MCU’s Phase 6 slate helps decipher what role Reed, Sue, Johnny, and Ben will play in the Multiverse Saga. Here are 10 MCU Fantastic Four theories that would directly impact Phase 6 and the future of the franchise.
10 The Fantastic Four Movie Will Be Set In The 1960s
If Marvel’s Fantastic Four is not an origin story, the MCU will have to explain why the Fantastic Four has never shown up to help the Avengers. One possible explanation is that the Fantastic Four was formed in the 1960s. Instead of contemporary heroes, the Fantastic Four could be a superhero team from the 60s, mirroring when the Fantastic Four was created in Marvel Comics. Always ahead of the curve when it comes to science, the Fantastic Four may create a time machine at the end of their movie and then be transported into the present-day MCU.
When Mordo announced Reed Richards as a member of the Fantastic Four in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Earth-616 Doctor Strange made a joke about them being a group from the 60s. While it may have been just a joke comparing the name “Fantastic Four” with a rock band from the 60s, that interaction only made this theory more popular. The biggest problem with Marvel’s Fantastic Four being set in the 1960s is that Reed, Sue, Ben, and Johnny would not be familiar with contemporary technology and science as a whole in the present day, going against the chore of the Fantastic Four – they are all incredible scientists, pilots, and engineers.
9 The Fantastic Four Already Exists In The MCU
Even if the Fantastic Four is not from the 1960s in the MCU, it is still possible that the Fantastic Four already exists in the MCU. Given that Fantastic Four is expected to skip the heroes’ origin story, it is all but confirmed that the Fantastic Four is already in the MCU somewhere. If the Fantastic Four got their powers after Avengers: Endgame, the MCU would not have to answer any “where was the Fantastic Four when this or that happened” kind of questions. The Fantastic Four may still be in space for the mission that gave them powers, or they could be trying to understand their powers before using them.
8 The Fantastic Four Is Trapped In The Negative Zone
One of the easiest ways for the MCU to skip the Fantastic Four’s origin story and still explain why they never helped other heroes is to feature the Negative Zone. The Fantastic Four may be trapped in the Negative Zone, an alternate dimension discovered by Reed Richards. In Marvel Comics' Ultimate Universe, the Fantastic Four got their powers from the Negative Zone rather than from cosmic radiation. This origin story was used in Fant4stic (2015). The MCU could add a different spin to it, revealing that Reed, Sue, Ben, and Johnny never managed to get out of the Negative Zone after getting their powers.
7 The Fantastic Four Bought The Avengers’ Tower
Who bought the Avengers Tower in Spider-Man: Homecoming is one of the biggest MCU mysteries the franchise has yet to answer. One popular theory that can now finally become true is that Reed Richards or the Fantastic Four as a whole bought the Avengers Tower and will use it as their base going forward. In that scenario, the Avengers Tower would replace the Baxter Building. Another version of this theory is that the Baxter Foundation bought the Avengers Tower, meaning that it would now be the actual Baxter Building. The Baxter Foundation exists in the MCU, at least on Earth-838.
6 The Fantastic Four Will Encounter A Kang Variant
Marvel’s Fantastic Four is part of the Multiverse Saga and is expected to kick off Phase 6 ahead of Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. There are countless ways of tying the Fantastic Four to Avengers 5, especially because the Fantastic Four often deals with the multiverse. In addition, Kang the Conqueror’s history is intrinsically tied to the Fantastic Four. Kang, or at least Rama-Tut, debuted in Marvel Comics as a Fantastic Four villain, after all. The Fantastic Four may run into Rama-Tut, the Egyptician Kang variant who appeared in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’s post-credits scene. In the comics, Kang the Conqueror is related to Reed Richards, which Marvel’s Fantastic Four can explore.
5 Fantastic Four Will Introduce The Council Of Reeds
The MCU’s multiverse story will not be complete without the Fantastic Four and, more specifically, Reed Richards. Mister Fantastic is one of the most brilliant minds in Marvel Comics and has dealt with the multiverse countless times. The Council of Reeds, a reunion of Reed Richards from multiple universes, exemplifies how Mister Fantastic’s story is tied to the multiverse. Now that the Council of Kangs appeared in Quantumania, the MCU is one step closer to introducing the Council of Reeds. John Krasinski’s Mister Fantastic in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness was fully aware of the multiverse, suggesting that the Council of Reeds may already exist.
4 The Fantastic Four’s Villain Will Be The Maker
Another way to tie the Fantastic Four with the multiverse would be to bring in the Maker, an evil Mister Fantastic from an alternate universe. In Marvel Comics' Ultimate Universe, the Reed Richards readers had been following since the first Fantastic Four comic became evil a few years into the series. This Reed Richards showed how dangerous Mister Fantastic’s intelligence can be, resulting in a villain that was a threat to the entire multiverse – the Maker. An interesting idea would be to have a previous Reed Richards actor – Ioan Gruffudd, Milles Teller, or John Krasinski – play the Maker in the MCU.
3 John Krasinski Plays A Reed Richards Variant In Fantastic Four
An extension of the previous theory, John Krasinski playing a Reed Richards variant in Fantastic Four would solve the MCU’s Mister Fantastic Problem. On one hand, moving away completely from John Krasinski’s Mister Fantastic after such a short Doctor Strange 2 appearance would be a mistake. On the other hand, Marvel’s Fantastic Four should not be limited to what Doctor Strange 2 did with the character. Therefore, if John Krasinski does not play Reed Richards in Fantastic Four, he could at least play a Reed Richards variant – one that was not killed by Scarlet Witch. Be it in the Council of Reeds or as the Maker, Krasinski could easily return as Reed.
2 The Fantastic Four Movie Will Set Up Doctor Doom & Secret Wars
Who will Fantastic Four’s villain has yet to be revealed, but it can be assumed that the film will at least tease Doctor Doom. Considering that Doctor Doom was the villain in every Fantastic Four movie, Marvel’s Fantastic Four reboot may want to avoid Doom for now. However, with Avengers: Secret Wars releasing as part of the MCU’s Phase 6 slate, Marvel cannot just ignore Doctor Doom. Even if the MCU’s Secret Wars goes for a completely different version of the comic book event, adapting Secret Wars without Doctor Doom would be a mistake. Therefore, Fantastic Four may set up Doctor Doom’s role in Avengers: Secret Wars.
1 Spider-Man Will Appear In Fantastic Four
Spider-Man’s MCU future after Spider-Man: No Way Home is still a mystery. While the MCU’s Spider-Man 4 is all but confirmed, where Peter Parker's story goes next remains to be seen. In addition, it is still unclear whether Spider-Man 4 would be part of the Multiverse Saga, or if it would release only in the MCU’s Phase 7. Either way, Marvel has the opportunity to revisit Tom Holland’s Spider-Man at the beginning of Phase 6 with Fantastic Four. Spider-Man has a long history with the Fantastic Four in the comics, perhaps more valuable than his history with the Avengers. Essentially, a Spider-Man cameo in Fantastic Four is too good not to happen.
