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‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Wouldn’t Have Worked if Marvel Didn’t Make This Perfect Decision

July 22, 2025

In the upcoming The Fantastic Four: First Steps, the decision to place Marvel’s First Family on a parallel Earth is a brilliant move that allows the film to bypass one of the most challenging questions surrounding the superhero team’s entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU): where were the Fantastic Four when Thanos came? This absence in the MCU’s timeline has been a topic of discussion and concern for fans since the new take on the heroes was announced. How could such powerful and influential characters not have played a role in protecting Earth against the Mad Titan?

At the film’s premiere event in the U.K., director Matt Shakman provided insight into this concern, explaining, “But we didn’t want them to be on this Earth… because where were they when Thanos came? They would have helped out and would have solved the problem.” This comment reveals not only a respect for the First Family’s established role in the comics but also a deeper understanding of the challenges involved in introducing such iconic characters into an already complex and established universe. Rather than forcing the Fantastic Four into the existing MCU timeline and risking their presence feeling contrived, Shakman and his team chose to capitalize on the multiverse and set the team on a parallel Earth, Earth-828.

‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Takes Place in Earth-828

The decision to place the Fantastic Four on Earth-828 provides the creative team with a way to sidestep the issue of their absence during the Infinity Saga. Had the team been introduced on the main Earth (Earth-616), fans would likely have been furious. The team is powerful enough to have made a huge difference, so their absence would have demanded an explanation that could easily have undermined the logic of the MCU. By establishing the Fantastic Four on Earth-828, the filmmakers avoid the issue entirely. The multiverse offers the perfect narrative tool to explain their non-participation in past events while still allowing the team to remain a part of the grander MCU narrative. The First Family’s isolation on a different Earth prevents questions like, “Where were they during the Battle of Wakanda?” and lets the story move forward without the complications of re-explaining their absence from earlier films.

This also helps avoid the potential pitfalls seen in films like Eternals, where characters introduced as godlike beings had to be re-contextualized after the fact to justify their absence. The parallel Earth concept offers a much cleaner solution by positioning the Fantastic Four in an alternate universe, ultimately keeping the MCU’s sacred timeline intact while still introducing this vital team.

It’s a Damned Good Thing ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Is Going Back to the Past

It’s giving the Jetsons, and we’re here for it.

The MCU Doesn’t Have to Explain Why the Fantastic Four Weren’t Around for Thanos

Earth-828 not only solves a narrative problem but also opens up new storytelling opportunities. Placing the Fantastic Four on a parallel Earth allows for a fresh interpretation of their dynamics and backstory, free from the constraints of the sacred timeline. It provides the filmmakers with a blank canvas to reimagine the characters’ origins and relationships without having to deal with the baggage. This also means the film can honor the legacy of the Fantastic Four without worrying about how they fit into a universe already full of established heroes and cosmic events. Instead of trying to weave them into the fabric of past MCU films, Earth-828 allows the filmmakers to focus on telling the First Family’s story on their own terms. The Fantastic Four: First Steps is free to explore the team’s personal struggles, their relationships with one another, and how they navigate their powers in a way that feels true to the source material. Fans won’t have to be hung up on questioning why the Fantastic Four weren’t around during major events that they’ve watched before – they can focus on the First Family’s journey.

A Fresh New Universe Preserves the Fantastic Four’s Integrity

Fantastic Four First Steps Silver Surfer — Image via Marvel Studios

One of the key advantages of placing the Fantastic Four on Earth-828 is that it preserves their integrity as a team and as individual characters. The First Family of Marvel Comics has a rich history, and introducing them into the MCU must be done while respecting that legacy. By creating a new, distinct Earth for them to inhabit, the filmmakers ensure that the team retains its identity. In addition, this allows the film to explore its unique place within the multiverse, offering the possibility of interactions with other universes.

Ultimately, placing the Fantastic Four on Earth-828 is a brilliant decision that benefits both the characters and the broader MCU. It avoids the complications of forcing the team into an already crowded universe, provides fresh opportunities for storytelling, and preserves the integrity of the First Family’s legacy. The film’s approach ensures an introduction that feels organic, while still allowing the Fantastic Four to maintain their identity and autonomy. By embracing the multiverse, the filmmakers can introduce these beloved characters in a way that honors their history, respects the MCU’s continuity, and sets the stage for their eventual integration into the broader universe. It’s a smart, thoughtful approach that helps to ensure that the Fantastic Four’s place in the MCU will feel earned.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps hits theaters on July 25.