Adore for Fantastic Four: Initial Ventures Stir Up Desire for More Than Merely Sequels
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is set to take a fresh turn with the release of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, a film that promises to revitalise the franchise and potentially serve as the foundation for a new core timeline.
Set in the retro-futuristic '60s of Earth-828, the movie pays homage to the original comic book art of Jack Kirby, offering a unique visual and narrative style distinct from the primary MCU timeline, Earth-616.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps provides an opportunity for Marvel Studios to introduce the Fantastic Four and other characters without the constraints of the existing main MCU, effectively acting as a near reboot within the multiverse.
Critics and fans alike suggest that Marvel could develop several Earth-828-based films, expanding on this alternate timeline's unique characters and history. For instance, side characters like Mole Man, played by Paul Walter Hauser in the movie, could star in dedicated movies, and the retro-futuristic setting can inspire new stories across different decades within Earth-828's history.
There is speculation that Earth-828 might become the MCU's new "Sacred Timeline" after the conclusion of the Multiverse Saga and Avengers: Secret Wars (2027). This would mean Earth-828 replaces Earth-616 as the MCU’s main continuity.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps also offers creative freedom and homage to Jack Kirby, with its vivid, stylized version of superhero storytelling reminiscent of the original comics. While Earth-828 is separate, there are indications of connections and eventual interactions between Earth-828's Fantastic Four and the main MCU heroes, suggesting a bridge between universes that could culminate in larger crossover events.
In the 2025 movie schedule, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set for release alongside DC's Superman. The potential for a series of Marvel movies set in Earth-828 is very promising, allowing Marvel to explore unconventional storylines and maintain a balance between innovation and continuity.
Meanwhile, the upcoming Marvel TV show Wonder Man seems to cover similar ground, featuring a superhero series. Kevin Feige and his team could potentially explore major phases of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with The Fantastic Four: First Steps acting as a stepping stone.
Starring Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, The Fantastic Four: First Steps looks like a throwback to Walt Disney's Tomorrowland, offering a glimpse into a hopeful and optimistic future for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film could start a series of Earth-828 movies, potentially resurrecting the long-defunct Damage Control adaptation.
In a hypothetical scenario, The Fantastic Four: First Steps could rescue an entire cinematic money maker if Marvel heeds the lesson. The bittersweet rewrites of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever could have benefitted from a break in the relentless march of progress, similar to the fresh start offered by The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
Here are two sentences that contain the words 'daily blend', 'movies-and-tv', and 'entertainment':
- As fans eagerly anticipate the release of The Fantastic Four: First Steps and other Earth-828 movies, a daily blend of news, reviews, and discussions about the Marvel Cinematic Universe can be found on various entertainment platforms and movie-and-tv websites.
- In the interim before Marvel unveils more Earth-828-based movies, one can engage in daily entertainment by streaming classic Marvel movies, revisiting the original comic books, and exploring movies-and-tv shows that share similar themes set in alternative timelines.
