Fantastic Four Star Hopes to Bring a Controversial Comics Storyline to the MCU

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Caution: This discussion reveals plot points from The Fantastic Four: First Steps. In this story, Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn), and Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) have previously battled adversaries such as the Red Ghost, the Mad Thinker, Diablo, and Bentley Wittman. When they come up against Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and the Silver Surfer (Julia Garner), it’s all in a day’s work for this cosmic-altered team. However, there is one formidable foe that Vanessa Kirby hopes to see Sue Storm confront in the Marvel Cinematic Universe following her encounter with Doctor Doom (Robert Downey Jr.).

The actress stated that Psycho-Man, who has control over the Microverse – a miniature universe within our own, was causing chaos for Sue, as she explained to ComicBook.

Originating in Fantastic Four Annual #5 from 1967, penned by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the character Psycho-Man possessed a unique ability to induce fear, doubt, or malice in his targets using a Control Box. Coincidentally, this issue was where Reed Richards announced Sue Storm’s pregnancy to their family. Later on, Psycho-Man transformed the Invisible Girl (Sue Storm) into Malice, Mistress of Hate, causing her to turn against her own family. Once she broke free from Psycho-Man’s power over emotions, Sue took on the new identity of the Invisible Woman.

Kirby shared with Variety that he’s eagerly looking forward to bringing Malice to life in the comic book series. He explained Sue’s tragic backstory, stating that she experienced immense hardship from a young age. Her mother was tragically killed in a car accident, and her father, unable to cope, turned to alcohol and ended up serving time for murdering a loan shark. Sadly, he also passed away. As a result, Sue found herself responsible for Johnny, another orphan, and together they had to struggle and fend for themselves.

In this story, what stood out to me about her was that she consistently picked a good, compassionate path. She decided to keep her feelings accessible and kind, as she expressed. Although Sue generally demonstrates kindness in ‘First Steps’, it’s worth noting that as the matriarch of the Fantastic Four, she instructed her brother Johnny to eliminate the Silver Surfer when he threatened their newborn son, Franklin. Later on, when Galactus offered to save Earth by taking Franklin instead, Sue became enraged and turned invisible in a display of strong emotions, when Reed suggested sacrificing their child for the greater good.

In this scenario, it’s Sue Storm, a member of the Fantastic Four, who showcases her remarkable powers when she calls upon her psionic shields of unseen power to muster every ounce of her might and shove Galactus into a portal for transportation, all in an effort to safeguard Franklin.

Kirby mentioned his affection for the character Mole Man, played by Paul Walter Hauser, expressing enthusiasm about potentially exploring more of him in future projects. He recalled a line that previously existed but was removed from a scene, where Sue threatened something like, “I could cause an aneurysm in you within seconds.” In the comics, this type of threat is common for Sue due to her powers being incredibly lethal and dangerous, capable of causing force fields inside brains and instant death by air bubbles.

However, these four have opted to join forces and promote positivity worldwide. Yet, they still hold the potential to cause harm if they so choose,” she added. “The idea of choice is what resonates with me here, not just that they are inherently good or powerful. She’s made a conscious decision, but she could potentially be destructive, just like any of us who strive to do good also possess the ability to create harm.

Kirby pointed out that there’s a profound symbolism in Sue from the comics, who experiences a psychologically devastating ordeal, transforms into the antagonist Malice to battle her kin, and eventually chooses to regain her power, not as the Invisible Girl, but as the Invisible Woman.

Initially known as Invisible Girl, she later encountered Psycho-Man causing chaos. After this encounter, she had a confrontation with her inner darkness, named Malice. Subsequently, she changed her name to Invisible Woman, signifying her transition from girlhood to womanhood. The struggle with Malice resonated deeply with me, representing the confrontation with one’s toughest aspects. I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to portray Malice for her character.

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

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2025-07-27 22:10