While there’s still a ways to go — over a year, in fact — beforeFantastic Fourhits theaters, Marvel Cinematic Universe fans already know the movie will mark the start of Phase Six. By then, there will be plenty more character debuts and more story threads put in place. Most of the excitement surrounding the Fantastic Four joining the MCU has been focused on who will play those four scientists-turned-superheroes. Another big question for fans will be just who else might appear in their movie.
Plenty of comic book fans are likely hoping for another big screen version of Doctor Doom, but he’s not the only character associated with the Fantastic Four in the comics. There are quite a few interesting options that could appear in their movie, and ones that might be more interesting, allowing the MCU to build to Doctor Doom as a villain later. The Fantastic Four have a rich history with a lot of other Marvel characters, and there are many who could make for interesting supporting players.
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She-Hulk
By the timeFantastic Fourdebuts,She-Hulk will have been a part of the MCU for nearly two years, played by Tatiana Maslany in her self-titled Disney Plus series. Right now, she doesn’t appear to have connections to other characters outside of her cousin Bruce Banner. That could very easily (and quickly) change.
Jennifer Walters is a lawyer in the comics, who often specializes in superhero law. She’s also a frequent ally of the Fantastic Four, even being invited to join their ranks temporarily to replace a missing team member. If she and the Fantastic Four are both operating out of New York, as they often do in the comics, it’s entirely possible that their paths will cross. It’s also possible that she could be called on to help them in a legal capacity if the rumors about the Baxter Foundation, which is run by Reed Richards, who bought Avengers Tower, turn out to finally be true. A building owned by a former superhero taken over by a family of superheroes might need some interesting legal contracts in the MCU’s post Sokovia Accords state.
Mole Man
There’s no shortage of speculationabout who will bring Doctor Doom to the screen. He is, arguably, the most iconic villain in the rogues gallery for the Fantastic Four. That doesn’t mean the team doesn’t have other villains though. Other enemies should be given a chance on screen, especially since the Fantastic Four will get their movie right in the middle of the MCU’s Kang The Conqueror arc. It’s only fair to allow Doctor Doom his own time to shine as a multiple movie villain later.
Instead,the firstFantastic Fourvillain, Mole Man, would be a fun option for their MCU debut. The character is a disgraced scientist obsessed with the idea of a Hollow Earth, who becomes trapped in a realm known as Subterranea and battles the Fantastic Four repeatedly. A rival for Reed Richards when it comes to science, and a unique villain with specialties that include controlling Subterranea monsters, could make for a fun storyline.
Namor
Namorwill make his MCU inBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever.While Atlantis and Wakanda have come into conflict in the comics numerous times, Namor also crosses paths with the Fantastic Four quite a bit. In fact, Namor carries a bit of a torch for Sue Storm long after she’s married to Reed Richards.
It’s entirely plausible that Namor could be an ally of the Fantastic Four, but cause a bit of tension on the team. While the MCU isn’t particularly known for romantic entanglements amongst its heroes, given thatthe Fantastic Four stories often focus on the group as a family firstand a team second, it would make sense for a little romance to be present in their storylines — as well as a little romantic conflict. Namor isn’t opposed to working with the team, and has even been on various teams with Reed Richards in the comics despite the two not getting along. He would add a different perspective to the movie as well.
Nathaniel Richards
Nathaniel Richards is the real name of acomic book villain that the MCU has big plans for: Kang the Conqueror. Nathaniel meets his future self in the 31st century and develops an interest in time travel and preventing himself from becoming a villain. There are many versions of him in different timelines, some good, some evil.
One version of Kang, He Who Remains, has already been introduced in the Disney Plus seriesLoki. Another is set to appear inAnt-Man and the Wasp: Quantummania.Eventually,Avengers: The Kang Dynastywill bring the different storylines together, so it stands to reason that versions of Kang would appear in other MCU movies as well. Considering Nathaniel is a descendant of Reed Richards, it would make sense for him to appear in the storyline, or even just cameo in aFantastic Fourmovie. If the movie featured the teenage version of him, it would even be one more way toedge the MCU closer to the Young Avengersas a time traveling version of him helped found the team.
An Inhuman
ABC’sInhumanstelevision series is clearly set outside the MCU continuity, as the royal family hasn’t appeared in other MCU projects.Black Bolt, King of the Inhumans, did recently appear in another timeline inDoctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madnessthough, so it seems logical that Inhumans could eventually be folded into the MCU somehow. Rumors have persisted that the version of Inhumans seen in theAgents Of SHIELDseries could even make their way into the MCU.
Inhumans, however, are tied to the Fantastic Four in the comics in a big way. The characters debuted inFantastic Four. Medusa, Queen of the Inhumans, has been a member of the team before. Crystal, her younger sister, even married Johnny Storm at one point, and the two have a daughter. If any property could be used to bring the Inhumans back into the MCU full time, it’s theFantastic Four.
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