The Fantastic Four's bright future hides a dark secret, and I'm sure that's the only way it works.

The Fantastic Four is finally coming to the Marvel Cinematic Universe after years of waiting, and I'm so excited. The first family of Marvel, made up of Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm, will start Phase 6 in a world that is both retro-futuristic and influenced by the 1960s. It will feel new and look great. The Cyan's previews reveal lovely banter, a strong family bond, and a bright optimism that has a lot of fans, including me, buzzing with enthusiasm. But I feel that there is a deeper, sadder truth behind this cheerful exterior, and I think the darkest fan theories about what will happen to them are not only possible, but they are also the most interesting way for their tale to start.

The actors are great for these famous parts. The team is really dynamic with Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm. Pascal has said that fans have been quite critical of his casting and have even made fun of statements like "He's too old." He's wrong. "Shave him." Vanessa Kirby, on the other hand, appreciates Pascal's "immense vulnerability," which suggests that she has a lot of depth that will help the team stay together. Joseph Quinn is sure that the movie will be "very different from other Marvel Movies" and that the script is "brilliant." This early hope and focus on their family connection, along with Ben Grimm's lighthearted barbs about not wanting to proclaim "It's Clobberin' Time!" could be a clever way to throw people off.

The threat of Galactus and the Silver Surfer is very real.

Galactus's comic book history suggests that Earth will be destroyed.

The previews also show that Galactus, the planet-eating cosmic being, and his herald, the Silver Surfer, will be a huge threat to The Fantastic Four. Julia Garner plays the Silver Surfer, Shalla-Bal, while Ralph Ineson plays Galactus. Galactus, who originally appeared in Fantastic Four #48-50 in 1966, is not just ordinary enemy. He is a force of nature who eats planets to stay alive, and he seldom loses in the comics. Instead, drastic tactics, like the Ultimate Nullifier, or the Silver Surfer turning against him, typically drive him away.

The official summary says that the squad has to "defend Earth from a hungry space god named Galactus." And if Galactus' plan to eat the whole globe and everyone on it isn't horrible enough, it suddenly gets very personal. The "personal" part of this, along with Reed Richards' scary comment in the trailer, "I don't know if humanity is safe," definitely suggests that the stakes are higher than in a traditional superhero fight. The teasers don't only hint at a fight; they also hint at an event that will change the Fantastic Four's home world forever.

Why I Believe the Dark Fan Theory About the Fantastic Four's Earth

Franklin Richards's birth could be the cause of disaster.

A popular fan theory says that the Fantastic Four won't be able to save their Earth from Galactus, which will cause its destruction and force them to move to Earth-616, the main MCU universe. This theory becomes even stronger when you think about how they will definitely be in future MCU movies like Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. Instead of just a multiversal jump, it gives them a strong, character-driven purpose to come to a new universe.

Franklin Richards, the son of Reed and Sue Richards, is an important part of this argument. Franklin is a mutant in the comics who can make whole universes. He is one of the most powerful people in the Marvel Universe. A lot of fans think that Franklin's birth is a cosmic event that catches Galactus's notice, which makes the struggle very personal for the family. One idea is that Reed's "first steps" onto Galactus's spacecraft or his finding of Galactus's destroyed planets could unintentionally bring Galactus to Earth. This would make Reed's words, "It's my fault I stretched the bounds of space, and they heard," even more sad. This isn't simply a random idea; it fits with Galactus's comic book past and gives the team a strong purpose to come to the main MCU.

A Heroic Failure Would Be A Brave, Unforgettable Move For The MCU

The Fantastic Four should have a special way to enter the MCU.

It may seem bad if Marvel's First Family lost their home world in their first movie, but I think this "heroic failure" would be a brave and memorable step for the MCU. In other origin myths, heroes usually win their first battle decisively, but this would set The Fantastic Four apart right away. Director Matt Shakman has said that this movie would take place in its own other reality in the 1960s, with "no other heroes" or "Easter eggs" from the normal MCU. This gives the creative team a lot of leeway.

This method would give the Fantastic Four's future role in the Multiverse Saga a strong feeling of loss and purpose. Knowing that they will lose their reality would be a strong reason for them to fight in Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars. It would also explain why a team that is usually shown as famous in their home world would come to Earth-616 without that status, which would mean they would have to start over with their lives and reputation. The Fantastic Four's first appearance needs to include a sense of sacrifice and loss that will echo throughout the Multiverse Saga if they want to really make their imprint.

This sad start would not weaken the team's strength or their familial bond; in fact, it would make it stronger. Going through such an awful tragedy together and having just each other would strengthen their fundamental relationship in a manner that no other origin story could. It's easy to wish for a billion-dollar box office blockbuster, but putting a darker, more story-driven introduction first might make The Fantastic Four stand out from other superhero movies and make it a memorable part of the MCU. I'm ready for Marvel to take this chance.

On July 25, 2025, The Fantastic Four: First Steps will be in theaters.

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