The MCU's Fantastic Four Death Trend Shattered by Its New Powerhouse

The MCU's Fascination with Fantastic Four Deaths

The latest installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, has once again brought attention to a recurring theme in the franchise: the deaths of key members of the Fantastic Four. While superhero films often feature character fatalities, the trend surrounding the Fantastic Four in the MCU has been particularly notable. This movie not only continues the pattern but also puts an end to it through one of its most powerful characters.

With the introduction of the MCU’s version of the team, there are now three cinematic iterations of the Fantastic Four. Each of these versions has had its own take on the characters and their fates. In the 2000s franchise directed by Tim Story, none of the main characters died. Similarly, the 2015 reboot did not see any of the team members meet their end. However, the fate of the villains in both of these franchises remained unclear.

In the original live-action version, Doctor Doom was frozen and sent back to Latveria, where he survived. In contrast, the 2015 film saw a more dramatic ending for Toby Kebbell's portrayal of Victor von Doom, who was disintegrated after being struck by The Thing’s punch. Now, with Robert Downey Jr. taking on the role of Doctor Doom in a post-credits scene of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, the story continues to evolve.

A New Chapter for the Fantastic Four in the MCU

While The Fantastic Four: First Steps marks the debut of the team in the MCU, it is not the first time that members of the group have appeared in the franchise. The Multiverse Saga has provided the studio with the opportunity to explore alternate universes and bring back characters from different timelines. This has allowed fans to see familiar faces in new contexts.

One of the earliest appearances of a Fantastic Four member in the MCU was John Krasinski as Reed Richards in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. His role as part of Earth-838's Illuminati was a nod to fan expectations. Another significant moment came in Deadpool & Wolverine, where Krasinski’s Reed was killed by the Scarlet Witch. This marked another death within the Fantastic Four storyline.

Additionally, Deadpool & Wolverine featured a variant of Chris Evans as Johnny Storm, or the Human Torch. In this version, the character was brutally killed by Cassandra Nova, further emphasizing the tragic elements of the franchise.

Breaking the Death Trend

Despite the previous deaths of two major Fantastic Four members in the MCU, The Fantastic Four: First Steps surprised audiences with its emotional conclusion. The film’s ending involved a battle against Galactus, where Sue Storm pushed her powers to the limit to save Franklin Richards. Tragically, she lost her life in the process, marking the third death of a Fantastic Four member in the MCU.

However, the movie quickly turned the tide by introducing Franklin Richards, who possesses the power to resurrect Sue. This act effectively broke the MCU’s trend of losing key members of the Fantastic Four. The film also teased another potential sacrifice during the final battle, with Joseph Quinn’s Johnny Storm preparing to give his life to save his family. Although Julia Garner’s Shalla-Bal intervened, the possibility of future sacrifices remains open.

The Future of the Fantastic Four in the MCU

Despite the teases of potential deaths, it seems unlikely that the MCU will continue the trend of killing off main Fantastic Four members. The team is set to return in Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars, where they will play a crucial role in the upcoming films. With Avengers: Secret Wars confirmed as an MCU reboot, the franchise is expected to recast veteran heroes, ensuring continuity for long-time fans.

Given that the MCU’s Fantastic Four has just entered the larger universe, the cast is likely to remain for the long term. The presence of strong, well-established characters is essential for the audience to connect with the new actors. Additionally, with Franklin Richards’ powers continuing to grow, the likelihood of further team deaths diminishes significantly.