Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is beginning to take some big strides, introducing new villains and huge storylines, but Phase 4 also has an opportunity to fix Marvel's insult to one particular female character. Over nearly 15 years, the MCU has brought some iconic characters to the big screen. While these characters are now beloved, the male characters have always had priority over female characters, being more well-rounded and hero-like. Over the past few years, this rightfully began to change, and this could mean Marvel is working to fix a big mistake they made with one hero in particular: Jessica Alba's Sue Storm.
Before the release of Fantastic Four, released back in 2005.
The super-group consists of Reed Richards, Johnny Storm, Ben Grimm, and Sue Storm. After being exposed to cosmic radiation, they each develop individual superpowers. Reed can stretch his body, Johnny can generate flames, Ben develops stone-like skin and becomes incredibly strong, and Sue can become invisible. The film was a commercial success, but its sequel flopped at the box office, resulting in the Fantastic Four going untouched until the The Avengers), but she instead stood out for all the wrong reasons. Thankfully, the MCU has an opportunity to change that.
Sue's intellect and hero status was placed second to her attractiveness. Her invisibility superpower became a misogynistic crutch held against her, with tasteless jokes about her being nude. Recently, the MCU has found its footing with its female superheroes. WandaVision, and it was one that deeply explored her immense grief. With this taken into , Sue Storm was forced to grow up quickly at an early age, taking on the responsibility of care for her brother Johnny, and her emotional maturity paired with a keen determination made her the heart of the group in many ways. If the MCU can integrate these qualities into their Fantastic Four reboot but dispel the crass jokes concerning her femininity, her character could be incredibly compelling.
The Marvel films made before the MCU set the stage for the introduction of the characters so well-loved now. Jessica Alba's role was one of the few female superheroes on screen amidst a mass of male heroes. Though Sue Storm wasn't handled in a way that did the character full justice in the original Fantastic Four, the Marvel Cinematic Universe's reboot could finally fix that.
