The director of Fantastic Four states that there are "no other superheroes" present in the universe of his film.
Marvel Studios
As Marvel approaches the release of Avengers: Doomsday, a significant new addition to the cast will be the Fantastic Four. We've had our first look at the heroes, who exist within their own retro-futuristic realm. Director Matt Shakman has shared additional insights into this universe and how distinct it is from the rest of the MCU.
"We are our own universe," he stated in an interview with Empire. "It's wonderful and liberating. There are really no [other] superheroes around. There are no Easter eggs. There's no chance encounters with Iron Man or anyone else. They are the only heroes in this universe. I appreciate the interconnected Marvel Universe, but we have the opportunity to create something entirely new and different. Eventually, this world will connect with others — but for now, this is our own little corner."
The Fantastic Four: First Steps | Official Teaser | Exclusively in Theaters July 25
The film, featuring Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon-Moss Bacharach as the four main characters, takes place in a 1960s-themed version of Earth. We now know that this Earth lacks any other superheroes. Marvel chief Kevin Feige has also indicated that the film will not serve as an origin story, meaning we will meet these heroes in the midst of their journey.
It's clear that the Fantastic Four's world will eventually intersect with the broader MCU, especially since Doctor Doom is the antagonist in Doomsday, suggesting that the Fantastic Four will play a crucial role in the film's storyline. For now, however, they are in their own universe, allowing this movie the freedom to avoid excessive references to the larger MCU.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is scheduled to be released in theaters on July 25, 2025.
Joe Allen is a freelance writer at Digital Trends, covering Movies and TV. He often writes about streaming...
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The director of Fantastic Four states that there are "no other superheroes" present in the universe of his film.
The film takes place in its own universe, and director Matt Shakman mentions that this universe is largely separate from the broader MCU.