Torrentgame – The upcoming The Fantastic Four: First Steps offers the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) a unique opportunity to finally do justice to some of the most iconic antagonists in the Fantastic Four comics—antagonists that have been underutilized or outright wasted in previous MCU movies. With the Fantastic Four finally making their long-awaited debut in Phase 5, First Steps could not only introduce the First Family in a new and exciting way but also right some wrongs from the past by giving these characters the development they truly deserve.
A New Era for the Fantastic Four in the MCU
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set in a 1960s-inspired alternate timeline, separate from the main MCU timeline (Earth-616). This decision to explore a different universe opens up exciting possibilities, including the return of Fantastic Four villains who have yet to appear in the MCU, as well as alternate versions of already-established characters. Notably, First Steps will mark the long-awaited debut of the Silver Surfer and Galactus in the MCU, two pivotal characters from the Fantastic Four comics that have been absent from the main franchise.
The Return of the Skrulls and Super Skrulls
In Captain Marvel, the MCU took a different approach to the Skrulls than what fans might expect from the comics. Rather than the villainous, power-hungry alien species from the comics, the MCU Skrulls were depicted as victims of the Kree’s cruelties, with characters like Talos and Soren becoming fan-favorite heroes. However, this softer portrayal of the Skrulls left many wondering what could have been with the more classic, devious version of the Skrulls.
Although the main MCU storyline might not revisit this darker side of the Skrulls anytime soon, The Fantastic Four: First Steps provides an ideal opportunity to bring a more traditional version of the Skrulls to the screen. These Skrulls could serve as villains or even as uneasy allies of the Fantastic Four, forced to work together to defeat the looming threat of Galactus.
Additionally, the much-anticipated Super Skrulls—who were introduced with little fanfare in Secret Invasion—could be given their due in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. In the comics, the Super Skrulls are formidable warriors with the powers of the Fantastic Four themselves. Their introduction into the MCU could finally give them the attention and depth they’ve been lacking.
The Need for Strong Villains in The Fantastic Four
The Fantastic Four’s rogues’ gallery is filled with complex and iconic villains, but the MCU has struggled to give these characters the proper spotlight. Not only have many of these villains been introduced before the Fantastic Four‘s official arrival, but their appearances have often been underwhelming. Characters like the Skrulls, Super Skrulls, and Ronan the Accuser, while important in the comics, haven’t had the impact in the MCU that they deserve.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps has the perfect opportunity to change this. By introducing these classic villains in a new, more nuanced light, the movie can give the Fantastic Four a strong set of adversaries, setting the stage for their most epic battle yet. This could include a more comic-accurate portrayal of Doctor Doom, one of Marvel’s most iconic villains, or perhaps even a reimagining of Galactus, both of whom have had lackluster cinematic portrayals in the past.
The Future of the Fantastic Four in the MCU
With The Fantastic Four: First Steps on the horizon, there’s finally a chance for Marvel to fix some of the most wasted storylines in the MCU. By reintroducing fan-favorite villains like the Skrulls, Super Skrulls, and Galactus, the film could set the Fantastic Four up for an exciting and impactful future in the MCU. Fans have waited long enough for these characters to get their due, and First Steps could be the perfect place to start.
