The Fantastic Four: First Steps – The MCU’s Critical Launchpad for Avengers: Doomsday and Beyond

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set to ignite Phase 6 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) on July 25, 2025, introducing Marvel’s First Family in a retro-futuristic spectacle that could redefine the franchise’s future. With Avengers: Doomsday looming in May 2026, this film carries immense weight, tasked with reviving fan enthusiasm, establishing key characters, and laying multiversal groundwork for the MCU’s climactic Multiverse Saga.

Directed by Matt Shakman and starring Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, The Fantastic Four: First Steps isn’t just a reboot—it’s a make-or-break moment for Marvel. Here’s a detailed breakdown of its importance, its ties to Avengers: Doomsday, and what it means for the MCU’s trajectory.

Why Is The Fantastic Four: First Steps a Pivotal MCU Film?

The Fantastic Four: First Steps kicks off Phase 6, a phase that includes Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, making it a narrative cornerstone. After mixed reception to Phases 4 and 5, the MCU needs a critical and commercial hit to restore momentum.

ComicBook.com calls it “the most important movie since Avengers: Endgame,” citing its role in setting up the Fantastic Four’s integration into the main Earth-616 timeline.

The film’s success is crucial because it introduces Reed Richards (Pascal), Sue Storm (Kirby), Johnny Storm (Quinn), and Ben Grimm (Moss-Bachrach), who are confirmed to appear in Avengers: Doomsday.

A compelling debut ensures these characters resonate before their high-stakes clash with Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom. A flop, however, could undermine the buildup to Doomsday, especially after recent MCU struggles.

What Makes the Film’s Setting and Tone Unique?

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set in a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic universe, distinct from Earth-616 and close to Earth-838, home of the Illuminati from Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

This alternate reality, inspired by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s comics, offers a fresh visual and narrative palette, as highlighted in a ComicBookMovie.com report.

The film picks up four years after the team gains their powers, focusing on their family dynamics rather than an origin story. Facing Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and Shalla-Bal/Silver Surfer (Julia Garner), the Fantastic Four confront cosmic stakes.

Test screenings describe the film as “terrifying,” suggesting a bold, intense tone that could differentiate it from recent MCU entries. This unique approach aims to combat “Marvel fatigue” while setting up multiversal crossovers.

How Does The Fantastic Four: First Steps Tie to Avengers: Doomsday?

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is intricately linked to Avengers: Doomsday, with Marvel confirming that “all” its main characters will appear in the 2026 crossover.

The Thunderbolts* post-credits scene, showing the Fantastic Four’s spacecraft arriving in Earth-616, hints at their transition from their alternate universe, possibly due to an Incursion caused by Galactus’ attack.

A leaked post-credits scene reportedly introduces Doctor Doom, potentially as a multiversal variant observing the Fantastic Four’s battle.

Joseph Quinn has teased a “big” showdown with Downey’s Doom, emphasizing the comic-accurate rivalry between Doom and Reed Richards.

This setup positions First Steps as a tragic prelude, with the team’s failure to stop Galactus driving them to Earth-616 for Doomsday’s multiversal war.

Can The Fantastic Four: First Steps Outshine DC’s Superman?

Releasing just two weeks after James Gunn’s Superman (July 11, 2025), The Fantastic Four: First Steps faces fierce competition. Superman marks the DC Universe’s bold reboot, and a strong performance could steal Marvel’s thunder.

Marvel is banking on the Fantastic Four’s cosmic scope and retro aesthetic to stand out, as opposed to Superman’s grounded heroism.

Kevin Feige has called First Steps his “most-anticipated” MCU project, praising its “classic Fantastic Four energy.” Paul Walter Hauser, a supporting actor, believes it will “reinvigorate” the MCU. However, with a runtime of 2 hours and 10 minutes—longer than most recent MCU films—it must deliver a tight, impactful story to avoid being overshadowed.

What Are the Key Speculations and Fan Theories?

Fans are buzzing with theories about The Fantastic Four: First Steps. A popular speculation, fueled by ScreenRant, suggests Galactus defeats the Fantastic Four, paving the way for Doctor Doom to emerge as a darker force in Avengers: Doomsday.

Another theory posits that Chris Evans, who played Johnny Storm in the 2000s Fantastic Four films, filmed a cameo, possibly as a multiversal variant.

X posts speculate about Ioan Gruffudd reprising his role as Reed Richards, though he confirmed no involvement in Doomsday.

The film’s tragic undertones, hinted at in test screening reactions, suggest the Fantastic Four’s world may face destruction, forcing their relocation to Earth-616. These theories underscore the film’s high stakes and multiversal significance.

How Does the Cast Elevate The Fantastic Four: First Steps?

The cast of The Fantastic Four: First Steps is a powerhouse, with Pedro Pascal as the intellectual Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as the empathetic Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn as the charismatic Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as the grounded Ben Grimm.

New character descriptions highlight Reed’s patriarchal role, Sue’s planet-saving instincts, Johnny’s explosion-absorbing powers, and Ben’s fighter-pilot background.

Supporting players like Ralph Ineson’s Galactus and Julia Garner’s Silver Surfer add gravitas, while Natasha Lyonne and John Malkovich’s roles remain mysterious.

Alan Cumming’s Nightcrawler, confirmed for Doomsday, hints at early interactions with the Fantastic Four, possibly in a fight scene. This ensemble must nail the team’s family dynamic to set a strong foundation for future appearances.

Will The Fantastic Four: First Steps Break the MCU’s Reception Cycle?

A Reddit analysis noted an alternating “hit-or-miss” pattern in recent MCU films, with Thunderbolts* earning praise but raising concerns for First Steps. The film’s test screenings, however, have been positive, with fans calling it a “good time” and praising its terrifying take on the heroes.

To break this cycle, First Steps must leverage its character-driven storytelling, a tactic that made The Avengers resonate. The trailer’s focus on quieter, human moments echoes this approach, promising a balance of heart and spectacle. If it delivers, it could redefine the MCU’s trajectory heading into Doomsday.

Some Closing Thoughts on The Fantastic Four: First Steps

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is more than a reboot—it’s the MCU’s chance to reclaim its cinematic dominance and set the stage for Avengers: Doomsday. With a stellar cast, a unique retro-futuristic setting, and deep ties to the Multiverse Saga, it carries the weight of Marvel’s future.

As fans eagerly await its July 25, 2025, release, the film’s success will determine whether Marvel’s First Family can lead the MCU into a new golden age or stumble before the multiversal war.

What are your hopes for the Fantastic Four? Share your thoughts below and join the countdown to Phase 6!