Fantastic Four 2: Everything We Know About the MCU Sequel’s Chances

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Over the past ten years or so, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has relied heavily on its original heroes, such as Iron Man (portrayed by Robert Downey Jr.) and Captain America (Chris Evans), to hold up its storylines. After the chaotic period following the release of Avengers: Endgame, there’s been a noticeable struggle for the studio to find a new central figure. Fans have been left questioning what the future might bring for this extensive universe. However, it now seems that uncertainty has come to an end, thanks to the impressive debut of The Fantastic Four: First Steps. This film marks the introduction of Marvel’s original family into the MCU, and it offers a unique blend of novelty and solid foundation. Much of this is due to director Matt Shakman, who shares the same skill for combining complex genre concepts with authentic character development, which earned him praise for WandaVision.

Shakman’s interpretation of “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” unfolds with an outstanding ensemble, including Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm. This tale chronicles the journey of The First Family in a lively blend of retro and futuristic elements, where they confront the formidable cosmic entity, Galactus (Ralph Ineson). With an overwhelmingly positive reception from both critics and viewers, the film has asserted its significance, leaving us pondering: What lies ahead?

Is The Fantastic Four: First Steps Getting a Sequel?

In 2025, Marvel faced a challenging period marked by audience exhaustion and a series of unexpected financial flops that raised doubts about its big-budget approach. Movies like “Captain America: Brave New World” and “Thunderbolts”, which earned only $415.1 million and $381.9 million respectively, were financial losses for the studio. However, the situation seems to be turning around with the release of “First Steps”. This film has become a breath of fresh air, breaking records by earning $24.5 million during its Thursday previews alone. This early success translated into a domestic opening weekend of $118 million and another $100 million from international markets, similar to the opening earnings of DC Studios’ “Superman” which was $220 million in total. The film’s commercial success can be directly attributed to the critical acclaim of “The Fantastic Four: First Steps”, with critics universally praising its focus on family and character, a trait they felt had been missing from the Marvel Cinematic Universe for quite some time.

Although The Fantastic Four: First Steps had a successful debut and received positive feedback, Marvel Studios has yet to confirm plans for a direct sequel, contrary to initial speculation. This absence of confirmation is due to a significant shift in strategy for the Marvel Cinematic Universe as a whole. After years of audience concerns about “superhero fatigue” and a decline in the regularity and quality of their projects, Disney’s CEO, Bob Iger, announced that Marvel would be slowing down production of movies and TV shows. This new approach, dubbed “less is more,” aims to provide Marvel’s creative teams with the time and space required to produce high-quality films that truly stand out as significant cinematic events.

Furthermore, Kevin Feige, head of Marvel Studios, has acknowledged that the rapid release of content in the past might have made it feel like chores for viewers to follow the overall storyline. The current pace adjustment is a deliberate move to address this feedback, with the aim of reinstating a sense of elegance and anticipation to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

It appears that a follow-up to “First Steps” is more of a question of when, rather than if. Although the studio’s schedule up to “Avengers: Secret Wars” in 2027 is already filled, there are several open dates in 2028 and beyond. In this post-epic storyline setting, a sequel seems like a logical fit. However, it wouldn’t be wise for Marvel Studios to announce the sequel immediately, even if it’s in the works. Their primary goal is to conclude the Multiversal Saga with “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars”, after which they plan to start afresh with a clear schedule, focusing on new projects.

The Fantastic Four Are in the MCU to Stay

As a die-hard Marvel fan, I can’t help but feel thrilled about the hints that the Fantastic Four are set to play a significant role in the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Despite no official sequel being announced yet, they seem to be deeply woven into the plans for the Multiverse Saga. The main cast is slated to appear in the epic 2026 crossover, “Avengers: Doomsday,” which kicks off the closing chapter of this saga.

The mid-credits scene of “First Steps” provides a clear explanation for their appearance. It reveals that Doctor Doom (Robert Downey Jr.) is well-aware of the Fantastic Four and has a chilling fascination with their infant son, Franklin Richards, whose powers are mind-boggling. This clever narrative move makes the personal struggles of the Fantastic Four the direct trigger for the climax of the entire saga, suggesting that their story will be the driving force behind the impending multiversal war.

Additionally, it’s clear that the Fantastic Four are being firmly established within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The post-credits scene in Thunderbolts* offers a significant clue about this integration, depicting the team’s iconic spaceship, the Excelsior, colliding with the MCU’s Sacred Timeline. This suggests that Doctor Doom’s pursuit of Franklin will lead the family on a journey across dimensions, eventually bringing them into contact with the Avengers. This connection underscores to fans that the Fantastic Four are integral to the future of the MCU, making a follow-up solo film a likely move for Marvel Studios.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is currently available in theaters.

What plotline do you prefer for the next installment following ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’? Share your suggestions below!

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2025-07-28 15:10