3 Reasons to Be Excited About the MCU After The Fantastic Four: First Steps (& 3 Reasons to Be Worried)

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The Fantastic Four make their comeback to theaters with the movie “The Fantastic Four: First Steps”, positioning the franchise for an interesting future. As one of the final films before the 2026 release of “Avengers: Doomsday”, this movie introduces the Fantastic Four in the universe known as Earth-828, preparing them to cross paths with the Avengers, Thunderbolts/New Avengers, X-Men, Doctor Doom (portrayed by Robert Downey Jr.), and more in the upcoming film. The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s lineup from Phase 4 onwards includes 14 films and 15 TV shows on Disney+, introducing a variety of captivating characters, forming new superhero teams, and presenting unexpected plot twists. However, the quality of recent MCU projects has been inconsistent, and the narrative of the Multiverse Saga has become rather complex over the last few years.

As a die-hard cinema enthusiast, I can’t help but feel a mix of excitement and apprehension as I look ahead to the MCU’s offerings post-“The Fantastic Four: First Steps”. While there’s plenty to be thrilled about, I can’t ignore the nagging sense of worry that creeps in regarding the direction things might take.

6) Reason to Be Excited – The MCU Has Finally Introduced the Best Version of the Fantastic Four

Following multiple attempts to introduce Marvel’s original superhero team, the Fantastic Four, in the films Fantastic Four (2005), Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007), and another reboot in 2015, the long-awaited Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) version featuring Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm/Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm/Human Torch (Joseph Quinn), and Ben Grimm/The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) has been well received. With its official announcement in 2019, The Fantastic Four: First Steps was one of the most eagerly anticipated MCU projects and it lived up to fan expectations.

As a devoted fan, I can confidently say that “First Steps” is undeniably the finest Fantastic Four film yet, boasting authentic character portrayals and captivating acting performances. The film’s family dynamic among the team members is brilliantly portrayed as they join forces to save their world and each other from the looming threat of Galactus (Ralph Ineson). Not only does this movie excel in its stunning visuals and engaging musical score, but it also delivers a rendition of the Fantastic Four that fans have been eagerly awaiting. It’s thrilling to see them now part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which opens up endless possibilities beyond “Avengers: Doomsday.” I can hardly wait to witness how the franchise will navigate these new heights for this iconic superhero family!

5) Reason to Be Worried – Avengers: Doomsday Still Lacks Adequate Buildup

For the very first time, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is about to make an Avengers movie without a well-established basis. While the Multiverse Saga has delved into various alternate realities, incursions, and similar concepts in shows like Loki, Spider-Man: No Way Home, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, these elements don’t quite set the stage for a major, character-rich event such as Doomsday. Unlike the Infinity Saga, which had a clear goal of wrapping up its storyline with the Avengers, Thanos (Josh Brolin), and the Infinity Stones, it had previously laid out significant plotlines and characters in standalone movies, post-credit scenes, and smaller ensemble films.

First Steps’ has left many Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) fans yearning for more. The limited attention given to Doctor Doom before ‘Doomsday’ is concerning, as it seems challenging for the movie to adequately introduce its villain while still addressing ongoing storylines of existing MCU characters. Sam Wilson’s formation of his Avengers team and their potential conflict with the New Avengers might not receive sufficient focus in ‘Doomsday’, given that Doctor Doom, the Fantastic Four, and the Fox X-Men will likely take up a significant portion of the film. Furthermore, actress Rebecca Romijn’s statement that ‘Doomsday’ is being filmed without a completed script adds to the concern that the movie may become overly complex and disorganized. While Marvel Studios and directors Joe and Anthony Russo have demonstrated their ability to create exceptional films, the circumstances surrounding ‘Doomsday’ seem to work against them.

4) Reason to Be Excited – So Many Characters are Returning Soon

The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Multiverse Storyline has scattered its superheroes across various realms, with only a handful of joint adventures. After the events of Avengers: Endgame, team-up films and large-scale events have been scarce, but that is about to alter. Prior to a multitude of Marvel characters uniting in Avengers: Doomsday, Spider-Man: A Fresh Start (the fourth Spider-Man solo film for the MCU and the first since 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home) will debut, leaving fans curious about what Peter Parker/Spider-Man (Tom Holland) has been doing since his identity was erased from everyone’s memory and how he might play a role in Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars.

In the upcoming release of “Doomsday,” viewers will be reintroduced to Shang-Chi, played by Simu Liu, after a five-year hiatus. Additionally, Thor, portrayed by Chris Hemsworth, as well as Shuri/Black Panther, played by Letitia Wright, will make their comeback following a four-year absence. Familiar faces from the Marvel Cinematic Universe such as Sam Wilson/Captain America (Anthony Mackie), Scott Lang/Ant-Man (Paul Rudd), Loki (Tom Hiddleston), the Fantastic Four, the Thunderbolts/New Avengers, and presumably others are expected to appear in the film.

As a movie enthusiast, I’m genuinely excited about the upcoming Avengers installment. Despite its extensive ensemble, this film promises to reintroduce some of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most captivating characters post-Endgame, and I can hardly contain my anticipation. A narrative as grand as Doomsday is sure to deliver electrifying and unforgettable character interplay, leaving fans eager to witness what fresh adventures await them in the MCU.

3) Reason to Be Worried – The MCU Has Too Many Ongoing Storylines

In the grand saga of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the epic storylines concerning the multiverse will reach their climax in the movie “Doomsday”. However, as Phase 6 approaches its conclusion, there are several storylines that might not get resolved, such as those hinted at in Phases 4 and 5. For instance, characters like Kate Bishop (played by Hailee Steinfeld), Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani), and Riri Williams/Ironheart (Dominique Thorne) were introduced, suggesting a possible Young Avengers project, but no definite updates have been shared.

The fate of the Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) and her “death”, as well as the revelation of Agatha All Along’s connection to Billy Maximoff/Wiccan (Joe Locke), are other open-ended narratives that may not be tackled in “Doomsday” and “Secret Wars”. Additionally, numerous post-credit scenes have been introduced without any clear follow-up. For example, the appearance of Eros (Harry Styles) in “Eternals”, the introduction of Blade (Mahershala Ali), and the debut of Hercules (Brett Goldstein) in “Thor: Love and Thunder” have left fans waiting for more.

The overarching storyline of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) currently seems chaotic, partially due to an unexpected shift from Jonathon Majors’ Kang the Conqueror as the main antagonist for the Multiverse Saga. Kevin Feige has hinted that not all recent post-credit scenes and storylines will be continued, but the exact strategy is unclear. The potential reboot following Secret Wars could bring clarity and a promising future to the MCU, yet it’s essential for the MCU to wrap up existing narratives in an satisfying way. Achieving a tidy and enjoyable conclusion for the Multiverse Saga may prove to be Feige and team’s most significant challenge to date.

2) Reason to Be Excited – The Multiverse Saga is Nearing Its End

It’s evident that the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is speeding towards the end of its Multiverse Saga, and while this may not be unwelcome news, it’s important to acknowledge that Phases 4 through 7 have had their challenges in terms of creating a cohesive narrative like the Infinity Saga, as well as maintaining both critical and commercial success. However, the upcoming era for MCU provides an excellent chance to correct this course. The commencement of Phase 7 post-“Secret Wars” brings about the introduction of a completely new X-Men roster – something that fans have been eagerly anticipating since Marvel and Disney acquired the film rights to the team in 2019. Moreover, Marvel Studios’ head Kevin Feige has confirmed that following the closure of the Multiverse Saga, a ‘reset’ will occur.

First Steps as a reboot is a promising indication before the MCU’s upcoming X-Men film. Furthermore, director Jake Schreier seems like a great fit for leading the project. As for the future of the MCU, it has an opportunity to rectify the chaotic state of the Multiverse Saga and restore the franchise to its former glory, going beyond mutants.

1) Reason to Be Worried – The MCU’s Over-Reliance on Nostalgia Poses Problems

It’s unfortunate that the top-grossing films in the Multiverse Saga so far are heavily reliant on nostalgic elements. Movies like Spider-Man: No Way Home and the pairing of Deadpool with Wolverine have resonated with fans who love classic Spider-Man and X-Men films, but their narrative depth fades when examined without rose-tinted glasses. Marvel’s decision to reintroduce Downey Jr., the Russo brothers, and the Fox X-Men for Doomsday has dashed any hopes of the franchise forging a new path that doesn’t rely on fan service and nostalgia.

The excessive reliance on well-known characters in the Marvel Cinatic Universe (MCU) feels starkly different from when it first began, captivating viewers with its fresh, optimistic take on a linked series of narratives. As the charm of novelty fades post-Endgame, it seems that Marvel struggles to evolve its storytelling approach.

In the sea of movies that seem more focused on profit than quality and star power, exceptional films like “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3”, “Thunderbolts”, and “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” have managed to stand out. One can only wish that the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) shifts its focus towards creating more original content in Phase 7 and beyond, rather than relying too heavily on past nostalgia. However, with potential blockbusters like “Doomsday” and “Secret Wars” on the horizon, it seems the MCU’s predilection for nostalgia-driven productions may persist.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is now playing in theaters.

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2025-08-27 14:41