The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is known for its intricate web of interconnected storylines, but sometimes, even the best-laid plans can go awry. A recent example of this involves the latest Fantastic Four film, Fantastic Four: First Steps, and its apparent disconnect from the post-credits scene of Thunderbolts.
The Thunderbolts Post-Credits Scene: A Fantastic Teaser
For those who saw Thunderbolts last summer, the post-credits scene offered a tantalising glimpse into the future of the MCU. It not only hinted at the existence of two rival Avengers teams vying for the same title, but it also dramatically introduced the Fantastic Four's arrival into the main MCU timeline (Earth-616) via a rocket ship. This scene generated considerable excitement, promising a seamless transition for Marvel's First Family into the established universe.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps Disconnect
However, viewers who flocked to see Fantastic Four: First Steps over the past weekend were left scratching their heads. The film makes absolutely no attempt to connect with the Thunderbolts post-credits scene. The ending of First Steps doesn't depict the team entering Earth-616. This begs the question: why the discontinuity?
Director Matt Shakman Explains
The reason for this lack of alignment is surprisingly simple: timing. Jeff McCobb recently spoke with Matt Shakman, the director of Fantastic Four: First Steps, during the film's press day. Shakman revealed that the Thunderbolts post-credits scene was created "relatively late" in his production process. In essence, when he was writing and developing the script for First Steps, the Thunderbolts scene simply didn't exist.
Shakman likened the MCU's collaborative process to a relay race: "You pass the baton, you run your section of it as hard and fast as you can, do the best you can with your version of Fantastic Four – Earth 828, this world – and then you pass the baton, in this case to the Russo brothers." He focused on telling the best story he could with the Fantastic Four in their own universe (Earth-828), without the constraint of having to directly tie into a scene that hadn't yet been conceived.
The Myth of the Master Plan
The MCU is often perceived as having a meticulously planned, overarching narrative, overseen by the Marvel Studios Parliament and Kevin Feige. While there is a Marvel timeline and general ideas that influence upcoming projects, it's important to understand that not every single beat is coordinated across every release.
In the case of Fantastic Four: First Steps, there was no mandate to conclude the film with the team's arrival in the main MCU timeline. The filmmakers were given the freedom to tell their own story within the context of the multiverse.
The Multiverse Factor
Fantastic Four: First Steps keeps its action contained to a single level of the multiverse. As a result, we currently have no indication of how the team will eventually make the jump to Earth-616, where the two Avengers factions are battling for supremacy.
Looking Ahead: Avengers: Doomsday
It seems unlikely that the mystery of the Fantastic Four's arrival will be resolved in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, scheduled for release next summer. Instead, it's highly probable that this plot point will be addressed in Avengers: Doomsday, the epic culmination of the current MCU saga.
Avengers: Doomsday, directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, is slated to hit cinemas in December 2026. The film is currently in production and boasts an impressive ensemble cast of heroes.
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