Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for The Fantastic Four: First Steps.Chris Evans and the original Fantastic Four movie cast could make their way to theMarvel Cinematic Universein the next year, as two MCU movies have set up a possible return for the team inAvengers: Doomsday.Evans gave life to Johnny Storm, aka the Human Torch, in two Fantastic Four moviesbefore famously playing the MCU’s Captain America.
Alongside him were Ioan Gruffudd as Reed Richards, Jessica Alba as Sue Storm, and Michael Chiklis as Ben Grimm. WhileMarvel has recast the roles forThe Fantastic Four: First Steps, I was thrilled to see Evans play Johnny one more time before then. Despite leaving the MCU and Captain America behind in 2019, Evans returned to the franchise recently.
While brief, his role as Johnny Storm in 2024’sDeadpool & Wolverinewas easily one of the most talked-about parts of one of theMCU’s best movies. That said, I was disappointed by how he lost the fight to Pyro and was killed by Cassandra Nova. Thankfully,that might not be the end of the road for Evans' Human Torch.
The Fantastic Four’s Spaceship In Thunderbolts* Is Not The Same One From Their Movie
Kevin Feige Has Confirmed That Reveal
BeforeThe Fantastic Four: First Steps' post-credits scenedirectly linked the MCU movie toAvengers: Doomsday, the Marvel team seemingly made its MCU debut in another movie.Thunderbolts*introduced the New Avengers to the world, with one of the movie’s post-credits scenes showing how the team became aware of a space anomaly. That would be revealed asthe Fantastic Four’s ship.
At first, the message seemed to be clear. This was the MCU’s Fantastic Four making their way to the main universe in the franchise, and why that happened should be explained by their movie before the result ofthe New Avengers seeing the shipwas shown as part ofAvengers: Doomsday’s story. However, that is not so simple.
When watchingThunderbolts*, one detail about the Fantastic Four’s ship caught my attention. In the movie, the spaceship had four legs. However, inThe Fantastic Four: First Steps, Marvel’s First Family has a ship, the Excelsior, with three legs. Speaking toEmpire Magazine, Marvel Studios' President,Kevin Feige, noted that key difference, saying, “I’m not sure they’re the same ship.”
The Fantastic Four: First Steps Proved Its Biggest Theory Wrong
Marvel’s First Family Was Able To Defeat Galactus
Before Marvel’s First Family had their movie released, I was sure thatThe Fantastic Four: First Steps' endingwould includethe team’s Earth getting destroyed by Galactus. That seemed like the easiest way of explaining why they needed to leave their Earth and go to the main MCU one, as seen by the Fantastic Four ship arriving inThunderbolts*’s credits.
Sure, the arrival of Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom inThe Fantastic Four: First Steps' post-credits scene, with Victor von Doom meeting Franklin Richards, could lead to that.
However, the MCU Fantastic Four movie saw the heroes save their Earth, which was a surprise. The Fantastic Four, with the help of Julia Garner’s Silver Surfer, successfullypushed Galactus through a portal that sent the cosmic entity to the edges of the universe. That all happened after Reed Richards' plan to teleport their Earth away from Galactus backfired.
With Galactus gone and the Fantastic Four’s Earth safe, there is no need for the team to leave their universe right now. Sure, the arrival of Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom inThe Fantastic Four: First Steps' post-credits scene, with Victor von Doom meeting Franklin Richards, could lead to that. However,the Fantastic Four are staying put as of now.
How The 2025 MCU Movies Might Have Set Up The Original Fantastic Four’s Cast Return In Avengers: Doomsday Twice
The Multiverse Saga Is Leading To Two Avengers Movies
Based on Feige’s comments about how the Fantastic Four ships inThunderboltsandThe Fantastic Four: First Stepsare likely different,the door is open for another version of the Fantastic Four to be on theThunderboltsship. The franchise is going through its Multiverse Saga after all, so variants of the Fantastic Four from other universes are fair game.
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Vanessa Kirby/Sue Storm
Then there is the fact that the MCU’s Fantastic Four just saved their Earth. With Galactus defeated and their world safe, they could just remain there, andFeige has even commented on other MCU characters going to the Fantastic Four’s Earth. The next Avengers movies will deal with incursions, which means universes will collide and Earths will die.
Given the lengths the team just went to inThe Fantastic Four: First Stepsto save their Earth,I don’t believe Marvel will just destroy it so quickly, especially with other MCU characters confirmed to go to the Baxter Building inAvengers: Doomsday.
As such, a multiverse version of the Fantastic Four could have entered Earth-616’s universe in search of a safe haven. The original Fantastic Four cast, which is beloved, makes the most sense. WithFox’s X-Men being part ofAvengers: Doomsday’s cast, using the Fox Fantastic Four cast would fit with that.
What The Original Fantastic Four Movie Cast Has Said About Returning In The MCU
That Return Feels Like It Is Now Or Never
Since he returned as Johnny Storm inDeadpool & Wolverinelast year, Chris Evans would likely be game to reprise his Human Torch alongside the original Fantastic Four cast. Recently, Reed Richards actor Ioan Gruffudd made an appearance atThe Fantastic Four: First Steps' premiere.Gruffudd has addressed a possibleAvengers: Doomsdayrole, saying,“If they invited me… In a heartbeat.”
Another original Fantastic Four cast member who has talked about a return is Sue Storm actress Jessica Alba. The Marvel star spoke toEntertainment Tonightabout that possibility, saying,“I would jump at the chance.“The Thing star Michael Chiklis recently thanked fans for their support, so he might also be open to returning inAvengers: Doomsday.
