Now that Avengers: Endgame, the MCU is being reshaped as new heroes take the lead and long-awaited storylines involving every corner of the Marvel universe will finally be brought to the screen.
For nearly its entire first decade, the MCU figured it would never have the chance of using the Fantastic Four. The Avengers became the franchise's main family of heroes, and much of Reed Richard's role in the Marvel comics got adapted for Tony Stark on the big screen. Despite also having traits of being a futuristic person and over-confident genius in the comics, Tony Stark received a characterization in the MCU that resembles what Reed Richards would have been had the character appeared in the franchise from the beginning.
The situation is now reversed. After the conclusion of the Infinity Saga and the death of Iron Man, the original Avengers have taken the back seat and the Fantastic Four is finally about to debut. Following three movies that did not make Marvel’s royalty justice, the Fantastic Four will get another shot at the big-screen this time as a part of a larger universe. MCU’s Spider-Man trilogy director Jon Watts will have the chance to set what could become the definitive version of some of the most important characters in the history of comics. That considered, the MCU may be tempted to use Reed Richards, who shares so much with Tony Stark, as a replacement for Iron Man’s crucial role in the franchise. Such a decision should be avoided, as it would be a disservice to both Tony's legacy and Reed's future in the MCU.
MCU’s Tony Stark Has Borrowed From Reed Richards (And From Hank Pym)
Robert Downey Jr's take on Iron Man was inspired by a mixture of different characters and eras from the comics. On top of Tony Stark's basic traits from the 616 Universe, such as the playboy life that overshadows a good heart, much of the Ultimate version of Stark was also utilized in the MCU. Iron Man's relationship with S.H.I.E.L.D., Nick Fury, and the Avengers team very much resemble those of Earth 1610. The MCU has also borrowed from two other geniuses of the Marvel universe to compose its Tony Stark: Hank Pym and Reed Richards.
Hank Pym’s careless way of handling science, which would eventually lead to Ultron’s creation in the comics, served as inspiration for Tony’s arc in MCU’s Iron Man eagerness to take technology to the next level in a constant quest of making the world evolve faster with the help of his inventions is something that directly relates to the Fantastic Four character.
The Post-Endgame MCU Will Be A Lot Different
Endgame represents not only the end of a decade-long storyline but also a new beginning for the MCU. The core Avengers, who had been the foundation of the franchise ever since Iron Man, were given either definitive endings or a complete change in course for their characters. With Thanos no longer being a threat and the current Avengers line-up still a mystery, the MCU has the perfect opportunity to establish the character who will carry on the franchise for the next decade. Sam Wilson becoming Captain America, Yelena being introduced as a different Black Widow, and Clint Barton mentoring Kate Bishop are just some of the examples of how the MCU is aware of the need for new chapters, interactions, and storylines in the series.
While the audiences may still miss characters such as Tony and Natasha, that feeling should not discourage the MCU from continuing its torch-ing moments. The original characters and their accomplishments can remain as an inspiration for new ones, but new films and shows should not try to replicate what has already been done. That applies not only to legacy characters, such as Kate and Yelena, but also to brand-new heroes, such as the X-Men, the Eternals, and the Fantastic Four.
The Fantastic Four Are Not The Avengers
Despite arguably being the one the most important titles in the history of Marvel comics and having existed longer than the Avengers, the Fantastic Four has never managed to generate a cinematic impact closer to the Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Produced during a different era of comic book adaptations, Fantastic Four (2005) and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007) could not achieve the scale expected from a Fantastic Four story. On top of that, iconic villains such as Doom and Galactus were either forgettable or misused. Proving that the technological limitations were not the only factor preventing a successful Fantastic Four film from being made, the 2015’s reboot Fant4stic bombed at the box office after a troubled production.
Now, in the MCU, the Fantastic Four can finally have a more consistent series of movies. While not much is known about John Watt’s film, audiences can expect to see Reed, Sue, Johnny, and Ben as part of the saga’s next big events. However, as iconic as the Fantastic Four is, the team should not be treated as a replacement for the Avengers. Even without its founder , the Avengers are still an established group that will constantly alternate its heroes. The Fantastic Four can be placed against different types of threats, such as the more cosmic ones, while also collaborating with other MCU teams.
How The MCU Can Make Reed Richards Distinct From Tony Stark
To portray Reed in a distinct enough way, the MCU should focus on elements of the character that do not overlap with those of Tony. His reluctance in trusting others outside of his team, his tactical abilities, and his disconnect from the “ordinary world” are some of Mr. Fantastic's signature features that the new films can portray. Even personality traits already seen on Tony Stark can be given a new angle in Reed Richards by putting the character in situations that Iron Man has never encountered.
How Reed will deal with already established heroes and institutions from the MCU, such as the Avengers and S.W.O.R.D, will be the first indication of what the character's personality role in the series will be going forward. With many Marvel sagas yet to be adapted, there is no shortage of possibilities as to where Reed's character and the Fantastic Four can go. By playing with both the similarities and the differences between Mr. Fantastic and Iron Man, the MCU can honor Tony’s legacy while also elevating Reed Richards.
