Fantastic Four Director Hints Cut Villain Could Return to MCU (but How?)

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In the movie ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’, fans didn’t get to witness John Malkovich portray Red Ghost, but director Matt Shakman hints that there might be an opportunity for this character to reappear in a future project within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. During an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Shakman discussed the comic book references in ‘First Steps’, such as those to iconic Fantastic Four villains like Red Ghost, Puppet Master, and the Mad Thinker. Given that ‘First Steps’ had a lot of ground to cover, it didn’t provide these villains with a significant role. However, Shakman is familiar with their extensive background in the original material and believes they could make valuable contributions to another film.

Shakman commented, “The characters are terrific, and I think there’s a strong possibility they’ll return. There are numerous formidable villains and captivating personalities within the Fantastic Four comic books, and I hope we can explore more chances to feature them in future projects.

John Malkovich’s character, the Red Ghost, made an appearance in the initial trailer for Fantastic Four: First Steps, which was released in February. However, just before the film’s premiere, it was revealed that his scenes had been removed from the final cut due to time limitations. Despite this, the character is referenced by name at the start of the movie, serving to introduce the team and emphasize their significant achievements during their superhero tenure. In a newsreel-like montage, the Fantastic Four are depicted engaging in combat with the Red Ghost’s Super-Apes.

Initially, Red Ghost was slated for a significant part in the third act of the film “First Steps“. However, as the project advanced, Shakman chose a different path. He’s uncertain if the initial opening scene, heavy on action featuring Red Ghost, will ever see the light of day because it would demand extensive visual effects work to finalize.

It’s clear that Marvel enthusiasts are excited about the return of the Fantastic Four in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ and ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’. However, it seems highly improbable that Red Ghost could play a role in either of these films. ‘Doomsday’ is already dealing with quite a lot, juggling multiple superhero teams while introducing Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom to the audience. With such a packed plot, there simply isn’t room for characters like Red Ghost.

Moreover, the Fantastic Four are expected to travel from their home dimension, Earth-828, to the main Earth-616 reality (as hinted in the ‘Thunderbolts’* post-credits scene). This means most of the action will be taking place far away from Red Ghost, Mole Man, and other Fantastic Four adversaries.

In the works at Marvel Studios is a sequel for the Fantastic Four series, opening up possibilities for new characters like Red Ghost to appear. If Marvel’s First Family return to Earth-828 at the end of Secret Wars, it could provide an excellent opportunity to create a film centered around Red Ghost and his Super-Apes. However, encountering Red Ghost might seem less significant compared to previous challenges with Doctor Doom, especially if the Fantastic Four face greater threats in the Avengers films such as Malice. Nevertheless, a more modest storyline could serve as a refreshing change for both characters and viewers, similar to Spider-Man: Brand New Day’s focus on street-level narratives. Given Malkovich’s talent, let’s hope Shakman finds the right opportunity to utilize him in the MCU.

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2025-07-29 17:11