Marvel’s first family will make their long-awaited MCU debut in the upcoming The Fantastic Four, but their background remains a mystery for now.

Marvel’s first family will finally be coming to the MCU in the form of The Fantastic Four directed by Matt Shakman. As the film prepares to enter production, fans have been debating how the titular team will be introduced to the main MCU, which is designated as Earth-616, amidst all the multiversal chaos currently unfolding in the franchise.

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Concept art for Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four.

On social media, a fan shared a theory that hypothesized how the film could follow one of the most important story beats from Chris Evans’ Captain America: The First Avenger, to bring the Fantastic Four into the main MCU. Here is what the fan theory says and how other fans are reacting to the idea of the Fantastic Four not being native to the MCU.

MCU Fan Theory Predicts the Fantastic Four Will Face the Same Fate as Chris Evans’ Captain America in His First Movie

In February 2024, The Fantastic Four announced its lead cast and also revealed that the film would most likely take place during the 1960s. As a result, fans have been debating how Marvel’s first family would be incorporated into the present-day MCU.
The Fantastic Four as depicted in the Marvel Comics.
On X (formerly Twitter), a user by the name @Lunwi88 theorized how the film could introduce the Fantastic Four as native to an alternate universe before they are brought to Earth-616.

Wait, if Galactus is the villain and it supposedly takes place in another universe what’s to stop the writers from just letting Galactus devour the world? https://t.co/EYEjpPP8aH

— Lunwi (@Lunwi88) April 4, 2024

The fan theory hypothesizes that the Fantastic Four would face off against Galactus in their first film, which will end in their defeat. Consequently, the team will find themselves on Earth-616, after the galactic being devours their universe.

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As a result, the film’s plot would be reminiscent of Captain America: The First Avenger, which sees Chris Evans‘ Steve Rogers / Captain America being frozen in ice during World War II, only to be thawed out in the present day and lead the Avengers. Therefore, it will be interesting to see if the Fantastic Four also undergo a similar journey to arrive in the main MCU.

Fans Discuss How the Fantastic Four Losing to Galactus Will Transport Them to the Main MCU

After the user posted their initial theory, it gained plenty of attention on social media. Other fans also chimed in, starting a discussion about how the MCU should handle the introduction of the Fantastic Four. Most fans were on board with the idea of the Fantastic Four being from another universe, which is devoured by Galactus, stranding them on Earth-616.
Galactus as depicted in the Marvel Comics.
Here is what Marvel fans are saying about the Fantastic Four entering the main MCU after losing to Galactus on X.

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He will and the fantastic family will get pushed into the MCU in the process, or into the events that lead to secret wars.

I firmly believe they will lose.

— Philly Philly (@MonsieurPhilly) April 4, 2024

That post-credit scene with the main universe Fantastic Four meeting an Avenger would be so freaking epic

— Gabriel Gonzalez (@DoubleGonTV) April 4, 2024

I think he will and they will lose , but then go into the MCU

— • (@M1NTEHH) April 4, 2024

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That’s the point. That’s why they escape to 616 by the end of the movie. Galactus munches on their homeworld.

— Greg Flores (@gregorianism) April 4, 2024

Damn it that’s how they’re gonna end up in 616 isn’t it

— Hibandit (@Dont_panic749) April 4, 2024

As the tweets suggest, most fans were supportive of the idea of the Fantastic Four originating from a different universe, which is destroyed by Galactus, forcing them to seek refuge on Earth-616. Moreover, fans were also hyped at the prospect of seeing another MCU film where the main heroes lose to the villain.

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The Fantastic Four will star Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as members of the titular group of superheroes. Recently, Julia Garner was announced to be playing Shalla-Bal / Silver Surfer, a herald of Galactus. The film is currently expected to be released on July 25, 2025.