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As the upcoming release of Fantastic Four: First Steps approaches in a few months, many enthusiasts are reminiscing about their comic book origins, scrutinizing both adversaries and allies. It’s worth noting that the Fantastic Four hasn’t always been strictly tied to blood relations when it comes to membership; instead, they often welcome other Marvel superheroes into their ranks. Interestingly, some of these alternate heroes have already made their mark in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). This leads us to wonder: Will the Fantastic Four in the MCU forge alliances with other characters, or will they continue to operate independently?

The movie titled “Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps” is set to hit theaters on July 25, 2025. This is a significant event for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), as it signifies several firsts. For one, it’s the debut of The Fantastic Four in the MCU. Secondly, it initiates Marvel’s Phase Six. Notable actors such as Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach are part of the star-studded cast, portraying Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm respectively. These four form the main team, but Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) also make an appearance. Fans might be in for a treat as more characters could potentially join the MCU team in the future.

1) She-Hulk

Jennifer Walter is well-known within the Marvel Comics universe, with a special connection to Bruce Banner – she’s his cousin. Over time, Jennifer became part of the Hulk clan. While her backstory has some differences between the comics and the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), this doesn’t rule out the possibility of her joining the team. In the comics, Jennifer, also known as She-Hulk, took over for Ben Grimm following the “Secret Wars” event. During this significant Marvel storyline, Ben lost his powers, causing the team to seek a new hero to replace him.

The television series based on She-Hulk within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, titled “She-Hulk: Attorney at Law“, received varied feedback from fans, with some appreciating its more lighthearted storytelling approach. Portrayed by Tatiana Maslany, Jennifer Walter is a determined lawyer juggling her professional life, personal life, and superhero duties – something many can relate to in terms of work-life balance struggles.

Interestingly, She-Hulk was an integral part of The Fantastic Four, contributing significantly to the team dynamic and filling unique roles. This could potentially be revisited in the MCU, providing a fresh start for She-Hulk’s storyline. In turn, being part of the team might help breathe new life into her character and offer another opportunity for She-Hulk to thrive within the MCU.

2) Luke Cage

Initially, there was some confusion among fans about whether Netflix casting decisions were part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), but the upcoming series “Daredevil: Born Again” has confirmed that Luke Cage, portrayed by Mike Colter, is indeed an official MCU character. In the comics, Luke Cage’s introduction to The Fantastic Four came at a challenging time for the team, as The Thing had lost his powers, necessitating a replacement with exceptional strength. Given Luke Cage’s impressive physical abilities, it seemed fitting for him to join the team. It’s worth mentioning that this team-up occurred in the 1970s, and both Luke and the team have undergone significant changes since then. Some of these alterations have already been mirrored in their MCU counterparts.

Luke’s stint with The Fantastic Four was undeniably intriguing, given that Luke is a markedly distinct hero compared to the core group. To begin with, Luke exhibits a unique perspective on heroism, as demonstrated during his tenure with Heroes for Hire. This leads us to Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Luke Cage. The latest portrayal of Luke ended with him assuming a new position in his city, causing speculation among fans about the direction his journey might take. If the MCU continues to delve deeper into this narrative, it could pave the way for an engaging period (and potential conflicts) between Luke and the Fantastic Four team.

3) Ant-Man

Over the course of their existence, The Fantastic Four have welcomed numerous superheroes through their doors, one of them being Ant-Man. Now, things take an intriguing turn as both The Fantastic Four in the comics and their counterparts in the Marvel Cinematic Universe made a parallel decision. During a period when Mr. Fantastic was absent (a rather chilling thought, truth be told), Sue Storm stepped up to lead the team and the search for her husband. In this critical juncture, Scott Lang proved to be an ideal fit for the team, particularly because they required assistance exploring the microverse.

Indeed, just like in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Scott Lang, portrayed by Paul Rudd, became the main Ant-Man character. Hank Pym, played by Michael Douglas, remained involved but this time more as a mentor rather than a direct role model. The MCU’s Ant-Man has already collaborated with one team, the Avengers, proposing a plan that could utilize his technology to safeguard the universe. This sets up the possibility of Ant-Man joining another Marvel group. However, for Ant-Man to join the Fantastic Four, it might necessitate Mr. Fantastic taking a temporary break, which seems less probable in the initial stages of the new team’s formation.

4) Black Panther

Black Panther, also known as T’Challa, is one of Marvel Comics’ most intelligent characters. He’s an effective leader who can guide any group through their toughest challenges, which is why Marvel has assigned him to numerous teams since his debut. For instance, he temporarily took over The Fantastic Four when Sue and Reed had to take a break (to preserve their marriage, although that’s another tale). Since Sue was often absent during this period, Storm took her place on the team. Given that they were married at the time, it seemed like a logical change in the storyline for the team.

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Chadwick Boseman breathed life into the character of T’Challa, taking him to unprecedented levels of popularity among fans. Tragically, Boseman passed away in 2020. Marvel has opted not to replace T’Challa, but instead, they have passed the Black Panther mantle to his sister Shuri (played by Letitia Wright). This means that a character similar to Black Panther could potentially join the MCU’s Fantastic Four. In the comics, Shuri has previously teamed up with the Fantastic Four and even the X-Men to confront a major threat: Doctor Doom. It’s not hard to imagine how these elements might intersect in the MCU.

5) Spider-man

Contrary to what many people think, Spider-Man from the comics didn’t always aspire to be an Avenger. Instead, his initial dream was to join The Fantastic Four. Right from the start, Peter Parker was determined to become a part of that team. Initially, he wasn’t accepted, but later, he took over Johnny Storm’s position temporarily. Even when Peter wasn’t officially a member of The Fantastic Four, fans enjoyed seeing him engage with them because they frequently encountered each other due to their work outside New York.

Among the characters that fans are eager to see join the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, portrayed by Tom Holland, is a strong contender. Though he’s relatively young, his experiences have been substantial. His upcoming film seems geared towards defining his role as a hero, potentially leading him straight to the Fantastic Four. With Peter Parker currently needing another superhero ally, Johnny Storm, who has always been a friend to Parker in the comics, could make the transition to the MCU as well.

6) Wolverine

For a moment, let’s talk candidly: There’s no denying that folks have a soft spot for Wolverine. His creators might adore him even more than his fans, which could be why he seems to be a member of almost every Marvel team. Naturally, he was part of The Fantastic Four, albeit just temporarily. It’s worth mentioning that in the comics, there was a phase where all four original members of The Fantastic Four were replaced. Instead, we got Wolverine, Spider-Man, Ghost Rider, and Hulk. At first glance, it might seem like an odd team, but it did attract new readers, which was the main goal.

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), it’s unlikely that a new group of heroes will replace The Fantastic Four. We’re content with the way things are, but it would certainly be exciting to see Wolverine (played by Hugh Jackman) collaborate with them occasionally. In the comic book world, Wolverine is considered an honorary member of the team and can be summoned using an emergency signal. However, fans shouldn’t expect Wolverine to officially join The Fantastic Four soon, as there are currently no definite plans to reintroduce Hugh Jackman’s character. For now, we’ll just have to wait and see.

7) Hulk

In the ’90s, Ghost Rider, Wolverine, Spider-Man, and the Hulk teamed up to keep the Fantastic Four going, a move by Marvel that was essentially an experiment. Though it was moderately successful, fans would have been equally thrilled if there had been any other reason for these four superheroes to collaborate, while keeping the Fantastic Four family intact.

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Bruce Banner (played by Mark Ruffalo) has been a constant presence since the beginning. He managed to survive the intense battles of Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, unlike some other original team members. This could mean that Hulk may team up with the Fantastic Four in future stories. However, it’s unlikely that he’ll replace three other heroes within the team. Instead, his role might resemble She-Hulk’s, stepping in for Ben Grimm when needed. Fans can discuss how plausible this is, but many would enjoy seeing Hulk develop a new storyline alongside the Fantastic Four.

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2025-05-31 15:10