The Fantastic Four: A New Era in the MCU and Their Absence During the Blip

Exploring the Fantastic Four’s Unique Timeline

As Marvel fans eagerly anticipate the arrival of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, a pressing question looms: "Where were the Fantastic Four during Thanos’s devastating blip?" This inquiry has been a recurring theme for new characters introduced in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), notably raised during discussions around Eternals. Director Matt Shakman has shed light on this topic, revealing the creative decisions behind the film’s setting.

A Different Earth: The Fantastic Four’s Origin

Shakman emphasized the importance of placing the Fantastic Four in a context that aligns with their comic book origins. He stated, “The Fantastic Four were created in this time of optimism during the space race, where people were dreaming of the stars and imagining conquering the unknown.” By situating them in the 1960s, the film aims to capture the essence of their original narrative.

However, to address the question of their absence during critical MCU events, Shakman opted to place the Fantastic Four on a separate Earth—designated as Earth-828. He explained, “We didn’t want them to be on this Earth with the other Marvel characters because where were they when Thanos came? They would have helped out and would have solved the problem.”

Box Office Showdown: The Fantastic Four vs. Superman

As the summer box office heats up, the competition between The Fantastic Four: First Steps and Superman is generating buzz. While James Gunn has downplayed any rivalry between the DC and MCU, fans are keenly interested in which film will dominate the box office.

Early projections suggest that Superman could achieve an impressive opening weekend, potentially reaching $175 million domestically. In contrast, The Fantastic Four: First Steps was initially forecasted for an opening of around $125 million, but recent estimates have raised that figure to a possible $155 million.

Despite mixed reactions to some recent MCU films, The Fantastic Four is poised to be a significant entry, as confirmed by Kevin Feige. The film is expected to serve as a gateway into Avengers: Doomsday, set for release in 2026, which could further entice audiences to theaters.

Conclusion

With its unique timeline and strategic placement within the MCU, The Fantastic Four: First Steps promises to deliver a fresh narrative while addressing long-standing questions about character absences during pivotal events. As fans gear up for this new chapter, the box office battle with Superman adds another layer of excitement to the summer movie season.

For more insights and updates, stay tuned!