What Did Eternals’ Kumail Nanjiani Say About Needing Therapy After The Movie’s Poor Performance?

Fan response to the many Marvel movies in order has changed radically over the past several years, as the post-Infinity Saga films haven’t exactly set the world on fire like the first decade or so of releases did. One of the movies that had the typical Marvel buzz, but disappointed when viewers checked it out was Eternals. Despite the massive star power on screen (along with Kumail Nanjiani, the superhero team included Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Richard Madden, Gemma Chan, Brian Tyree Henry and more) and decent box office, the reviews were mixed at best.

Nanjiani recently appeared on the Working It Out podcast, where he and fellow comedian/host Mike Birbiglia got into the topic of working out new material for their stand-up acts. When asked what he’s been putting together lately, the Oscar nominee revealed that “the last 15 minutes” of his set now revolves around how Eternals’ negative reviews impacted him:

Boy, that’s rough, right? I can only imagine that there are several other actors who’ve have similar experiences. The Big Sick star also mentioned that the movie came out after some of the heat from the pandemic had passed and folks were allowed back into theaters, but this meant that he’d had about a year and a half of sitting at home and dreaming of how successful the film would be.

It might seem foolish for the Silicon Valley lead to have done this, but the fact is that this movie had been built up, even by those at Marvel. In early 2024, Nanjiani talked about how the thought was that the film would be “really, really well reviewed” so they lifted the review embargo early and sent the cast on the press tour at the same time, assuming they’d be able to bask in the glow of unbelievably positive word of mouth. But, that didn’t happen.

The lead up to the film’s debut also set his hopes high, because he mentioned signing on for “six movies, a video game, a theme park ride” believing that his time as Bollywood star/Eternal Kingo would last for at least a decade. While anything within the Marvel multiverse is possible, it seems unlikely that we’ll see Nanjiani or his fellow Eternals again in the near future, but at least it sounds like he’s come to terms with how the movie not quite living up to expectations affected him and can keep on keepin’ on.

What we know about Avengers: Doomsday is limited, but fans are hyped to see mutants back on the big screen. A rumor from Cosmic Circus claims that the X-Men will be wearing brightly colored costumes, which are more accurate to the comics and cartoons. Scooper Alex Perez writes:

D you hear that sound? It's comic book fans everywhere rejoicing. Because while the X-Men movies changed the costumes to black leather, fans have been hoping to see more brightly colored ones appear on the big screen. If this report is to be believed, that's exactly what we'll get when the OGs return as part of the Avengers: Doomsday cast. The lack of colorful, individual costumes has been a long-standing point of contention in the last series of movies.

This would be a major change to what the actors wore during their tenure in the original X-Men trilogy. Actors who will be returning (and apparently in bright, colorful costumes) are none other than James Marsden's Cyclops, Kelsey Grammer's Beast, Alan Cumming's Nightrawler, Ian McKellen's Magneto, Patrick Stewart's Professor X, and Rebecca Romijn's Mystique. Now we'll have to wait and see if this rumor about their costumes come to fruition.

X-Men '97 was acclaimed on Disney+, so it makes sense that Doomsday might be taking inspiration from that acclaimed animated series for the mutants' costumes. Moviegoers who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order have waited to see these colorful costumes on the big screen, so this seems like a big payoff for longtime fans.

Fans were finally treated to Wolverine's yellow suit in Deadpool 3, and the internet exploded when the first images of him arrived online. Considering how warmly this was embraced by fans, it makes sense that the studio might want to follow suit (pun intended) when we see the X-Men in Doomsday.

After the X-Men being noticeably missing from the MCU for its early stages, Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox allowed for mutants to finally join in on the fun. The Marvels' credits scene brought back Kelsey Grammer as a comic-accurate Beast brought to life with visual effects, and many fans assume that alternate universe's heroes will be in Doomsday.

All will be revealed when Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters on December 18th of next year as part of the 2026 movie release list. It should be interesting to see how mutants are handled in the MCU, especially as a new cast of actors is expected to join for whenever the X-Men get their own movie.

This is why fans freaked out a bit at recent viral comments from Daredevil: Born Again star Charlie Cox, which implied that the show may end following this second season. However, Cox’s co-star is jumping in to let fans know where things stand.

What Charlie Cox Said About Daredevil: Born Again’s “Final Season”

The viral clip in question has Charlie Cox at a recent Galaxycon event where he was answering a question regarding his favorite Daredevil suit over the course of his time playing the character. He mentioned a suit that will be seen in the upcoming Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 that he really loves, but in referencing it, he also implied it might be the last time we see Cox as Daredevil. He said…

Needless to say, Cox calling Season 2 of Daredevil: Born Again the “final” season got fans talking. While no seasons past Season 2 have been officially announced, neither had their been any confirmation that the show would end after the forthcoming season. This led one fan to specifically seek out Daredevil: Born Again’s other big star to try and get some clarification.

How Vincint D’Onofirio Responded To Panicked Fans

One of the upsides to social media is that sometimes you can interact directly with a famous person and get some real answers to your questions, and that’s what happened with Vincent D’Onofrio after Cox’s comments went viral. Somebody reached out to the Kingpin actor on Twitter and asked if he could confirm the flaim. While D’Onofrio didn’t indicate a third season was happening, he did indicate that it was something that could happen, saying…

Following his initial response regarding Daredevil's potential future, D'Onorio has been inundated with addtional questions from fans about the same clip, and the actor has continued to respond to seemingly every single one, giving roughly the same answer.

If nothing else, word that a third season is at least possible would seem to indicate there’s nothing in the upcoming Season 2 that would necessitate it being a “final” season. While Daredevil: Born Again is arguably the most violent thing you can watch with a Disney+ subscription, the show has been well received so far at it seems likely Marvel may want to keep it going if

Considering that Cox and D’Onofrio have both been intimately involved in everything surrounding Daredevil: Born Again up to this point, it seems unlikely that one would know something the other does not.

Cox may have just used the word “final” because the two seasons of Born Again were created together and tell a single story. That story, as far as we know, will come to an end at the end of the next season, which perhaps is what makes it a “final" season.

Across the course of the Marvel movies in order, we’ve seen nearly innumerable actors bring some of our favorite comic book characters to life, and many of them will continue doing so well beyond the 2025 movies schedule. However, some stars have had complaints about leading MCU films, but Guardians of the Galaxy villain-turned-good guy Karen Gillan recently explained why she has no plans of ever being counted among that number.

What Did Karen Gillan Say About Starring In The MCU?

Even though starring in a blockbuster franchise like the Marvel Cinematic Universe can lead to long-time guaranteed (and very large) pay days for many actors, there are some drawbacks. Pedro Pascal (who led The Fantastic Four: First Steps as Reed Richards and will return in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday) has talked about how taking on each of his franchise gigs has been “scarier” than the last, and (of course) there’s all that “cult”-like secrecy and security noted by Karen Gillan’s Guardians co-star, Zoe Saldaña.

When speaking with Photobook Magazine, though, Gillan said that for all of the potential stress that goes along with being a major player in such a big-budget franchise with long-established IP, she’d never complain about being involved in things like the MCU for one big reason. She said:

Something that movie lovers can often forget about superhero movies is that the best of them are always able to give viewers something we can relate to, despite their often otherworldly, action-packed plots. Nebula was hardly a one-note bad guy, with a lot of her early actions being attributed to how she was forcibly trained by Thanos (and alongside adopted sister Gamora) from childhood, leading to pretty much all of that “trauma” that Gillan had time to “explore” on screen.

It’s understandable, though, that not everyone would have quite the same experience. Zachary Levi (who appeared in the middle two Thor movies before leading Shazam! and its sequel) admitted to enjoying his DC work much more than his time in Marvel, because his character in the latter “didn’t really do all that much.” Meanwhile, Thor himself, Chris Hemsworth has opened up about smaller irritants like the “exhausting” process of recording sound effects for fight scenes.

The mom of baby Clementine has already said that she’s willing to bring Nebula back at some point, should she be asked to do so, because “it's so much fun working in the Marvel world,” and it sounds like a lot of that has to do with how rewarding portraying the character has been. As Gillan added:

While we have no clue whether or not we’ll get another appearance from the Jumanji 4 actor’s Nebula in a future Marvel project, at least we can rest easy knowing that she’ll jump at the chance to dive back in, given her enjoyment of what’s come before.

In Tim Story’s two Fantastic Four movies, Michael Chiklis plays the role of Ben Grimm a.k.a. The Thing. Over the years, Chiklis has expressed pride over the superhero franchise he co-starred in during the early aughts. The veteran actor, however, gave a particularly passionate appeal as to why the two superhero flicks remain “underrated” to this day. When making his argument during an interview with Collider, Chiklis made note of the immense love that the two films have received from fans:

2005’s Fantastic Four opened to negative reviews and, as of this writing, it holds a 28% critics score (and a 45% audience rating) on Rotten Tomatoes. However, the movie was a commercial success, as it grossed over $333 million worldwide against a reported budget between $87.5 and $100 million. The 2007 sequel, Rise of the Silver Surfer, received lackluster reviews, too, and holds a critics score of 37% on RT along with an audience approval rating of 51%. Nevertheless, Surfer earned $301.9 million against a budget between $120 and $130 million.

While the reception to the two FF movies may not have been strong, it’s hard to deny that a subsection of the fandom still has affection for them. Michael Chiklis further emphasized the way in which people have taken to the “imperfect” flicks:

The legacy of those particular Fantastic Four movies is still alive and well, and that particular continuity is even referenced in Deadpool & Wolverine. Chris Evans reprises his role as Johnny Storm a.k.a. The Human Torch, and the character’s humorous role in the story results in him meeting a brutal demise. On a more sentimental note, though, the credits of that threequel also include sweet BTS footage from Tim Story’s FF productions. So believe me when I say there are still those who have affection for the movies.

Despite fiercely defending his movies, Michael Chiklis has also expressed excitement about First Steps. He penned a sweet message on social media about passing the torch to new Thing actor Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and he sent well wishes to the rest of the cast and crew. As time goes on, it’s likely that fans will continue to have their opinions about which big-screen version of Marvel’s First Family they love best and, ultimately, everyone is entitled to their own opinions.

Check out The Fantastic Four: First Steps, one of the marquee titles on the 2025 movie schedule, in theaters now. Also, anyone who’s feeling nostalgic can stream the Tim Story-helmed movies using a Disney+ subscription.

Fans who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order will recall how successful Deadpool 3 was, and are eager to see Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds back in upcoming Marvel movies. The latter actor recently set the internet ablaze thanks to a cryptic Instagram post, check it out below:

What does it mean?! Reynolds offered no caption to this post, which seemingly featured an alternate take on the Avengers logo. On top of folks wondering if he'll appear in either Doomsday or Secret Wars, there are also plenty of fans hoping that this means that the long-awaited question about why Thor was crying will be answered. Fingers crossed that happens sooner rather than later.

Fans on reddit tried to decode Reynolds' message, including that ongoing Thor question. While this debate rages on, one particularly passionate fan actually found where the image he posted originated from. Specifically, it's from another reddit post, where fans showed off t-shirts they made for Deadpool & Wolverine. So it's unclear if the actor/filmmaker is teasing more information about that threequel, or something new coming on the horizons.

Deadpool 3 featured a ton of cameos, including a short, but memorable appearance by Chris Hemsworth's Thor. In a clip the TVA acquired from the future of the Sacred Timeline, the God of Thunder is shown crying over Wade Wilson. But how this comes about remains a mystery.

At the time of writing this story, Ryan Reynolds hasn't been officially confirmed to appear in any of the net two Avengers movies. He was noticeably missing from the Doomsday cast announcement, which might be a logical place for Wade Wilson and Thor to finally share the screen. Although Kevin Feige did confirm that not every actor in the movie was included in that announcement. Alternatively, Deadpool could show up in Secret Wars instead.

The timing of Reynolds' above post definitely seems purposeful, as Doomsday is in the midst of filming as we speak. Whether or not this is n actual confirmation remains to be seen, but it's clear that fans are still obsessed over why Thor was crying over Wade Wilson. Hopefully the studio has plans to offer a payoff for this ongoing debate.

Avengers: Doomsday will hit theaters December 18th of next year as part of the 2026 movie release list. For now, we can re-watch the Deadpool movies on Disney+.

While Black Panther 3 has a rumored release window, basically nothing is known about what's going to happen in the big screen return to Wakanda. While Ryan Coogler said Washington was like family, exactly who he'll be playing in the MCU is a mystery. When speaking with ScreenRant about his new Spike Lee movie Highest 2 Lowest, he was asked about joining the beloved Marvel franchise. Unfortunately he only offered:

Fine, you can play it cool Mr. Washington. Almost nothing is known about what the third Black Panther movie will be about, and it seems like it's going to stay that way for the time being. After all Wakanda Forever's ending offered a number of thrilling narrative threads to pull from.

Of course, it's also possible that Washington might not actually know what will go down with his role in Ryan Coogler's threequel. The movie is seemingly only its in early development stage, and it's unclear how much writing the Sinners filmmaker has done so far. So we might all just have to try and be patient.

As previously mentioned, the events of the second Black Panther left a bunch of question about the future of Coogler's beloved franchise. At the end of the film Shuri became the next Panther, but didn't take the trial to try and rule her fictional country. Instead, it was hinted that M'Baku might be the new King.

Additionally, the Wakanda Forever credits scene revealed that T'Challa and Nakia had secretly had a baby. This could add another fold to who will ultimately sit on the Throne and be in control of the high tech society and its mines of Vibranium.

Ever since Washington let slip about his role in Black Panther 3, fans have been wondering who he might play in the forthcoming blockbuster. Fans who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order know that Coogler's franchise is a favorite, so the pressure is on for the third installment to deliver. Especially after recent sequels like Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania and Thor: Love and Thunder failed to resonate with audiences. No pressure.

The next Marvel movie hitting theaters is Spider-Man: Brand New Day on July 24th of next year as part of the 2026 movie release list. Fingers crossed that we get more information about Black Panther 3 sooner rather than later.

The cast of The Fantastic Four: First Steps convincingly formed a family unit for their roles, and their chemistry during the press tour was delightful. In a conversation with Vanity Fair, the subject of sandwiches was brought up. That's when Pascal offered a funny anecdote, where he'd go around stealing meals left out for Joseph Quinn. He shared:

Oops. Luckily these two actors seem to really like each other, because there are few things worse than stolen food. Now I have to wonder if Quinn will start getting club sandwiches from fans now that they know his penchant for the dish. I mean, he already had a strong following thanks to his time in Stranger Things.

Pascal and Quinn make up half of the titular team of heroes in The Fantastic Four, playing Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic and Johnny Storm/ Human Torch respectively. They were joined by Vanessa Kirby's Sue Storm/Invisible Woman and Ebon Moss-Bachrach's Ben Grimm/The Thing. The four of them had great chemistry on screen, and it looks like that also extends off camera.

Fans waiting for years for The Fantastic Four join the MCU, sandwiches and all. Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox finally opened up the doors for that, and they did so with a bang in First Steps. What's more, cast is already set to reprise their role in upcoming Marvel movies. Specifically, they were announced in the Avengers: Doomsday cast announcement, so they'll be back on the big screen next December.

Pedro Pascal might be the internet's daddy, but this anecdote revealed that he's also an accidental food thief. But when perfect club sandwiches started appearing around him, what else was the Last Of Us star expected to do? I know I'd start chowing down myself.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is still in theaters now, and Avengers: Doomsday will arrive next December 18th as part of the 2026 movie release list.

In the case of the hotly-anticipated Fantastic Four reboot, some might be satisfied with merely asking for sequels. I’m not one of those people though, as I recognize a special potential this pretty standalone movie could realize.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps Should Start A Parallel Universe Of Movies

As my friend and CinemaBlend colleague Dirk Libbey pointed out, First Steps takes advantage of the Marvel multiverse in a way that should have happened way sooner. Director Matt Shakman’s super-story revels in the retro-futuristic ‘60s of Earth-828, and it’s an artful contrast from what we’ve come to expect from most Marvel movies so far.

The closest analog I can think of is when Captain America: The First Avenger brought us back to the ‘40s of Earth-616. We haven’t seen that sort of gorgeous throwback given the feature-length treatment in some time;\, and the possibilities are too beautiful to let go.

Part of the reason is probably because the mainline MCU universe is preoccupied with the contemporary present, save for some flashbacks. Setting The Fantastic Four: First Steps in an alternate version of the past is pretty brilliant, and it’s a choice that I think should start a series of Earth-828 movies that exceed just sequels to one of my favorite movies of the summer.

More Retro-Futuristic Adventures In Earth-828 Would Be A Plus

If you need a brief crash course on the Marvel multiverse, we’ve covered that business elsewhere. Just know that with a new universe comes new opportunities to see characters realized in a new light. It's one that, in the case of First Steps, would look more like Walt Disney's Tomorrowland - a.k.a. "the future MCU I'm dreaming of."

Seeing as the team of Pedro Pascal's Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby's Sus Storm, Joseph Quinn's Johnny Storm and Ebon Moss-Bachrach's Ben Grimm are considered the first superheroes of their home universe, there’s room for so much more to unfold. Like, say, an entire movie about Paul Walter Hauser’s scene-stealing Harvey “Mole Man” Elder.

In one of the several parallels between Iron Man and First Steps, it’s like Marvel Studios stepped back into 2008 with a fresh MCU to develop as it sees fit. If the ‘60s were this much fun, imagine how alternate versions of other decades in Earth-828’s history could play out? Also, with the Multiversal Theory requiring an “anchor being” to keep a certain world alive, figuring out who that is in this pocket of Marvel magic would only add to the fun.

Marvel Adopting DC's Elseworlds Model Could Fight "Superhero Fatigue"

As seen with DC Studios’ creative force/co-CEO James Gunn, the concept of Elseworlds is alive and well. While Superman is the cinematic kickoff for the DCU's Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters, Matt Reeves’ The Batman Crime Saga is allowed to exist concurrently due to it being an Elseworlds property.

That advantage could allow Kevin Feige and his team to explore the major phases of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. You could also potentially eliminate one of the biggest criticisms Marvel Studios seems to incur, allowing fans more time to “do the homework” with their Disney+ subscription.

Playing with other worlds that aren’t necessarily connected is kind of a clean slate to do anything that would go against the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s spirit. Three seasons of the Disney+ original What If… is a proper test case for being allowed to do such a thing.

Now take that thinking and use it to infuse unlimited creativity that operates on a scaled back budget. Marvel can follow all sorts of threads, like the long defunct Damage Control adaptation, while letting us have time to miss the MCU’s brand of adventure.

Adapting The Movies In The Fantastic Four's World Wouldn't Hurt Either

I can’t be the only person who wants to know more about films like The Emperor’s Twin, Attack of the Fungi and, of course, the potential Captain America easter egg that is Subzero Intel. Knowing that we were watching another universe in The Fantastic Four: First Steps had me questioning what the pictures of that world would look like - or what their stories would cover.

The upcoming Marvel TV show Wonder Man almost sounds like it’s covering similar ground, as Yahya Abdul-Mateen II’s Simon Williams is going to be shown as acting in his own superhero series. That cleverly meta-approach shouldn’t be reserved for Earth-616, as there’s some fun and original paths to be taken in the Marvel Cinematic Universe presented in these titles.

The MCU Would Have More Time To Rest Between Mainline Entries

Imagine if The Fantastic Four: First Steps had premiered in the post-Avengers: Endgame slot that Spider-Man: Far from Home had. Audiences could have had a break in-between The Infinity Saga and The Multiverse Saga, while also seeing some comic movie action in theaters.

That sort of breather could have allowed the Marvel Studios writers room to take a little more time to plot out where to go next, instead of basically using a marquee superhero’s next picture as a feature-length post-credits sequence.

With projects of this variety providing gaps in-between main events, The Multiverse Saga’s course corrections (like the change that saw Avengers: The Kang Dynasty morph into Doomsday) would have had extra time to truly develop. Even the bittersweet rewrites of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever could have benefitted, removing Team Marvel’s seemingly relentless march of progress from the equation, and allowing everyone time to properly grieve.

Back in 2014, Kevin Feige’s MCU wall chart was an innovation that changed the game in Hollywood. Several failed Hollywood cinematic universes, and some perceived whiffs from Marvel Studios, later, it feels like time to move on. That doesn’t mean massive shared stories need to go away, but rather we should be trying out hybrids that maintain serialization, while also allowing creativity to slip the leash and run wild.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps saw the First Family of Heroes save the day against Galactus. Should Marvel heed the lesson in this hypothetical scenario, they could rescue an entire cinematic money maker in the process too. Form your own opinions by seeing this fantastic movie, which is currently showing in theaters.

Which MCU Franchise Deserves An Animated Offshoot Like Eyes Of Wakanda And Why?

Although there are plenty of superhero-based franchises within the MCU, I’d argue that there are only a handful that have truly established distinct lore that’s worth excavating. One of those is the Shang-Chi property, which kicked off with 2021’s The Legend of the Ten Rings. That story squarely focuses on the eponymous kung fu savant and his attempts to confront his past. However, director Destin Daniel Cretton and co. also managed to introduce some other cool characters and developments into the narrative.

Marvel Studios’ first film to feature a predominantly Asian cast thrusts viewers into the history of the Ten Rings organization, which is led by the immortal, ten ring-wielding Wenwu a.k.a. The Mandarin. An animated limited series could center on Wenwu’s exploits, which span a thousand years. Writers could also theoretically dig deeper into Ta Lo, the mystical dimension that Shang-Chi’s late mother helped safeguard against outsiders. Surely, there are wondrous tales that can be told about that visually stunning land and its inhabitants.

All in all, what I’m saying is that this is a culturally rich IP we have here, and a beautifully animated show would be a great way to expand upon it. Not only that, but the corporate pieces could be in place for it to happen. Cretton now seems to be very tight with the creatives at Marvel, given he’s directing Spider-Man: Brand New Day and is a producer on Wonder Man, which hits the 2025 TV schedule later this year. Still, given the current state of his martial arts franchise, a show may just be a pipe dream.

What’s Going On With The Shang-Chi Franchise?

There’s been a lot of speculation about the next chapter in the Simu Liu-led MCU franchise. It’s long been known that a Shang-Chi sequel is in the works, but work on that has seemingly been slow. While the titular character headlined a 2024 episode of the animated series What If…? internet users have commented on his lack of visibility since his solo film. Liu has been shutting down rumors regarding the sequel being canceled, but I, along with other fans, remain anxious for more concrete updates.

Something that is known is that while Cretton oversees Tom Holland’s fourth Spider-Man movie, Simu Liu is reprising his superhero role in another project. Liu will play the character again in the upcoming team-up film Avengers: Doomsday alongside a number of other power players in the cinematic universe.

Despite that, the Shang-Chi franchise has been without a new installment for far too long. So, even if it doesn’t continue right away in the form of another live-action film, why not greenlight an animated prequel series to whet fans’ appetites? After all, Eyes of Wakanda does also serve as a nice bit of storytelling to tide viewers over ahead of the now-in-development Black Panther 3. It may be foolish to do so, but I’ll be holding onto hope that Marvel expands upon the lore of its resident martial artist using an awesome cartoon.

In the meantime, stream all episodes of Eyes of Wakanda and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings as well as other MCU movies and TV shows using a Disney+ subscription.

Marvel’s first family finally joined the MCU in The Fantastic Four: First Steps! After the movie barreled into theaters and the 2025 movie schedule earlier this summer, audiences were treated to a jaw-dropping final act that brought the family of superheroes into a street-level showdown with Galactus as he came for young Franklin Richards. Per co-writer Eric Pearson, though, the battle wasn’t always going to unfold against the backdrop of New York’s skyline. In early drafts, the climax was staged entirely in space—until creative and emotional priorities pushed it down to Earth.

Eric Pearson, one of five credited writers on First Steps, revealed the change in a wide-ranging interview with The Hollywood Reporter. During that chat, Pearson traced his journey from Marvel’s Writers Program to becoming one of the studio’s most reliable scribes. Over the past 15 years, he's had a hand in numerous superhero blockbusters, both released and upcoming Marvel movies. With First Steps, though, he says it was his call to pull the climactic battle with Galactus out of space and set it on Earth:

I found it interesting to hear that Pearson says the change wasn’t just a matter of trading starfields for skyscrapers, and it makes sense. This was about making the fight feel personal. Dropping Galactus into a world of familiar landmarks and everyday chaos instantly raises the stakes. You can picture the destruction, smell the smoke and feel the panic. And at the center of it all? Reed and Sue’s gut-wrenching decision to use their own child as bait. It’s “super f—ed up,” sure, but it also shows the movie's team isn't afraid to dive headfirst into the grayest, most morally complicated corners of superhero storytelling.

The THR profile paints Eric Pearson as a writer who thrives in collaborative, on-the-fly environments, as someone just as comfortable rewriting a scene on set as he is plotting a franchise tentpole in a conference room. His Marvel tenure began with uncredited ADR work on Captain America: The First Avenger, followed by contributions to the Agent Carter One Shot and subsequent Marvel TV series based on Hayley Atwell's character.

Pearson made the leap to blockbuster status with Thor: Ragnarok. he then clicked into Marvel’s rhythm with Black Widow and helped shape Thunderbolts* from concept to critical hit.

On First Steps, the Godzilla vs. Kong scribe helped realize a dream tha fans had, as he helped present a more comic-book accurate version of Galactus, played by Ralph Ineson. Even via earlier glimpses of the FF film, the nightmare-inducing size of the "Devourer of Worlds" was very present in the New York shots, and that lent credence to Pearson's reason for NY being the final battle ground.

All in all, Eric Pearson’s comments reveal a writer invested in the balance between spectacle and humanity. That balance, he believes, is what makes First Steps’ grounded finale work—because it’s not just about saving the world, it’s about the gut-punch choices heroes have to live with afterward.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is playing in theaters now. Be sure to check your local listings, and grab a Disney+ subscription to stream other MCU fare.

Interscope Records’ marketing director, Allison Hsu, was first reported to be dating Simu Liu in late 2022. While the couple normally keeps their relationship low-key, their rare public moments leave me gushing over them every time. As the engaged couple prepares to say “I Do,” the Barbie actor shared his sentimental birthday comment to Instagram. The comment is short and sweet, but it seems to be a truly lovely summation of Liu's feelings for his fiancè:

Aww, I can’t take it! Based on all of the photos Allison Hsu posted, she and Simu Liu truly are a picture-perfect couple. It also looks like in one of the photos that the Canadian actor is also giving a dinner toast to his bride-to-be. If only I could've been a fly on the wall during that sweet-looking event.

Of course, I also can’t get over Simu Liu’s adorable dog making a cameo in the photos. Allison Hsu is incredibly lucky that she’s close to marrying not just an action star but a dog daddy as well.

Liu rarely provides insight into his relationship with his future wife. He previously recalled back in 2022 what a “stressful time” it was meeting her parents for the first time. But that’s only natural when it comes to meeting the people who could become your future in-laws. At the 20th Annual Unforgettable Gala, Liu also complimented Hsu for being a “badass” in everything she does. Considering Liu knows a thing or two about powerful superheroes, that truly says a lot coming from him.

The Liu/Hsu love story reached a brand new chapter in May when the Marvel actor proposed in Paris, marking the big moment with some sweet photos. In the engagement post Liu shared, he cheekily made a Marvel reference, saying that he still has “nine rings left.” The big rock he gave his fiancè may not have otherworldly powers like his Marvel superhero’s rings have, but the piece of jewelry itself was certainly impressive. (Seriously, it's quite the rock.)

It really does warm my heart to see Simu Liu continue to find sweet ways to honor or celebrate his bride-to-be. Finding love in any context -- whether a person is a celebrity or not -- can be difficult. So it's wonderful to see that Liu has been able to find a person he treasures and wants to spend the rest of his life with.

Revisit Simu Liu’s breakthrough performance in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings using a Disney+ subscription. Also, know that Liu's character is set to return in Avengers: Doomsday, which opens in theaters on December 18 as part of the 2026 movie schedule.

Among the upcoming Marvel movies is the first Avengers movie since the universe-shattering Avengers: Endgame, and I’m sad to say that my hype for Doomsday is a lot more lowkey than I wish it was. And I think one big reason why actually has to do with the latest of Marvel post-credits scenes. I don’t think it had a big enough impact, and the missed opportunity has been eating at me.

I Found Doctor Doom’s Debut In Fantastic Four: First Steps Rather Underwhelming

Fantastic Four’s tease for Avengers: Doomsday takes place four years after the events of First Steps. The scene, which was actually directed by the Russo Brothers, involves Sue Storm and her son Franklin hanging out at home. She turns her head for a moment and goes to the other room before returning and seeing Franklin face-to-face with Doctor Doom.

Marvel fans have known for some time that Robert Downey Jr. will play Doctor Doom since he made a surprise appearance at Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con 2024. But, after seeing this post-credits scene, it’s clear to me that we’ll have to wait to see his take on the Marvel villain until Doomsday. While I understand why Marvel Studios would do this, seeing the back of Doctor Doom’s head didn’t necessarily make me anticipate Doomsday anymore.

The scene does perhaps suggest that Franklin and his amazing powers could have something to do with how the Fantastic Four and the Avengers link up, but it feels too vague for me to latch on to anything specific about it. I wish the scene had involved RDJ introducing his villain a lot more, and perhaps saying some memorable line that would stick with me for the next year and a half, but instead, I’m left with this feeling of what could have been.

I Can’t Stop Thinking About How The Infinity Saga Built Up Its Big Villain Better

Now, if you’ve been following what’s been going on with the MCU behind the scenes, you know that RDJ wasn’t always the plan for the big bad in the Multiverse Saga; it was Jonathan Majors’ Kang, who got fired after getting mixed up in some legal issues. That being said, I still can’t help but contrast how Doctor Doom is being teased after the previous saga built up the threat of Thanos across movies over the years.

By the time we got to Avengers: Infinity War, we had seen Thanos’ face, and some of the damage he could do through the Infinity Stones and so forth. But, I’m walking into Avengers: Doomsday not feeling any fear at all about Robert Downey Jr’s Doctor Doom. And I’m honestly a little worried about how the actor is going to portray a completely different character in the universe after being so beloved as Iron Man in the Infinity Saga.

I would have thought Fantastic Four would be the perfect place for the MCU to establish what to look forward to in the next Avengers a bit more, but I’m going to have to wait for the Avengers: Doomsday release date in December 2026 instead. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still very excited, but I wish Fantastic Four had me leaving the theater absolutely hyped and on the edge of my seat for what’s next.

The 2025 movie schedule is rolling right along, and with it we’ve seen the ever-increasing number of Marvel movies in order continue to do the same. While The Fantastic Four: First Steps was pretty successful at rounding out this year’s big-screen MCU blockbusters, there are still numerous upcoming superhero movies where our favorites will return. With that, it’s hard not to think about those who portrayed past heroes and villains, like Josh Brolin. He’s now opened up about whether or not he’d like to return as Thanos or Cable, and had a very thoughtful position on the matter.

What Did Josh Brolin Say About Playing Thanos Or Cable Again?

There are several actors who have played more than one MCU role in the Marvel multiverse, and we can count Weapons star Josh Brolin among that number. The actor helped make The Mad Titan a force to be reckoned with across several films in the Infinity Saga, and also appeared as the futuristic, cybernetic revenge-seeking soldier Cable in 2018’s Deadpool 2.

We are currently a little over a year away from another major Marvel team-up movie, as the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday hits the 2026 movies that December. While there’s no reason (right now) to think that Brolin will return as either character, when speaking with the Happy Sad Confused podcast, the topic of his work as both did come up. After revealing that Thanos was originally supposed to only be a cameo, he added:

Brolin didn’t go into details about why he, seemingly, holds Thanos so close to his heart that he’d be willing to drop everything, pull on those motion-capture pajamas again and play the Big Bad. However, it sounds like his love for former Iron Man Robert Downey, Jr. (who’s starring in Doomsday as Doctor Doom) and the Russo brothers has a lot to do with it. He continued:

The Oscar nominee explained that he and Joe Russo are embarking on a business endeavor together, but noted his fondness for the siblings, saying, “I love both of them. I think they’re amazing.” So, when he was asked about possibly being able to bring Thanos back (which has been rumored) in some way, Brolin confirmed that he has complete faith in the Russos’ ability to make such a shocking turn of events work within the story they’re now building. Brolin said:

Though it would be severely premature to get excited about the idea of Brolin’s Thanos returning to the MCU, at least we know that he’s down for the opportunity if it arises.

Robert Downey Jr. is coming back to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in next year’s Avengers: Doomsday. It’s a big deal because no single actor is as responsible for the success of the MCU as Downey. Had the original Iron Man not been the success it was, the franchise likely wouldn’t be here today, and it’s incredible that the movie worked as well as it did, considering they were basically making it up as they went along.

Robert Downey Jr.'s Tony Stark is absolutely one of the coolest characters in the MCU, and you can tell because he’s often wearing sunglasses, an accessory that he wears significantly more than most of his Avengers buddies. It turns out the reason for the glasses, at least in one key scene, was as much for function as fashion, as Downey once told Vanity Fair he wore them to hide the fact he was reading his lines. Downey said…

It’s unclear if Tony Stark's penchant for sunglasses was born entirely from this scene, or not, or if the continued use of sunglasses was done for the same reason, but it honestly wouldn’t be surprising. If Downey wasn’t originally going to be wearing sunglasses in a scene that takes place on a bright sunny day in the desert, then why would he in so many other scenes?

I had never come across this explanation before, and while it all makes perfect sense, it’s also sort of fascinating that this was something that needed to be done. For a franchise that would become revolutionary for the way that it seemed to put thought into creating connections between different characters and films, the first Iron Man wasn’t thought out in advance at all.

It makes the success of the film, as well as the franchise that would follow from it, all the more remarkable. The possibility of making a misstep is certainly increased if one doesn’t really have a plan. Clearly, however, what Favreau and Downey knew they wanted to make was exactly what it needed to be. Downey continued…

Considering the massive size of the Avengers: Doomsday cast, making up as they go along likely has not been an option. Still, fans will be excited to see Robert Downey Jr. again in a new Marvel movie, although considering his Doctor Doom mask, he’ll probably skip the sunglasses.

It’s been a few years since we’ve seen Chris Hemsworth as the God of Thunder, but it’s been confirmed he’s finally suiting back up in one of the upcoming Marvel movies, and I couldn’t be more excited to see the comic book character back in action. But for as little as we know about his role in the Avengers: Doomsday release, we’re not entirely surprised to see him already getting asked about the next Thor movie.

Marvel fans currently find themselves in Phase 6, which will be the final batch of movies from the Multiverse Saga. Along with Doomsday, we know that this era of MCU movies will include Tom Holland's return in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which begs the question of if another solo Thor adventure on the table. Here’s what Hemsworth recently said when asked by BBC News:

It sounds like Chris Hemsworth is staying really present with the future of Thor (to the public anyway) for the time being, and that makes a lot of sense considering all the secret plotlines he’s surely hiding under those baby blues. I would imagine there’s a lot that will be illuminated to audiences once we see Avengers: Doomsday next December. Then there’s its follow-up, Avengers: Secret Wars, which could include a lot of developments for Thor and the other Marvel heroes as well.

So far, we know very little about the future of Thor, except that Chris Hemsworth was confirmed to be in Doomsday when the cast was revealed over a five-hour rollout of the roster of actors. Hemsworth’s Thor is set to be the only original Avenger to be in the upcoming movie, but Robert Downey Jr. is in the cast as Doctor Doom instead of Iron Man. Other original actors from the MCU's Phase 1 that will join him include Tom Hiddleston’s Loki and Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes

Also in the mix is the Fantastic Four, Thunderbolts, some original X-Men cast members, Anthony Mackie’s Captain America, Letitia Wright's Shuri, Winston Duke's M'Baku, Tenoch Huerta Mejía's Namor from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Paul Rudd’s Ant-Man, and Simu Liu’s Shang-Chi. So far, Hemsworth has said he’s felt like “one of the elders now” on the set of Doomsday.

Just a few months ago, Chris Hemsworth went viral for posting about how playing Thor has been “one of the greatest honors” of his life along with thanking fans for their “passion”, “cheers” and “love.” A lot of fans thought he was saying goodbye to the character, but the actor also recently shared that the post was a “moment of gratitude” and got “misconstrued.”

Needless to say, it sounds like Hemsworth still loves playing Thor, and while we don’t have any details right now about the future of the character, I think we’ll know a lot more once the upcoming superhero movie, Avengers: Doomsday, hits theaters next year.

Back in May, Chris Hemsworth posted a video celebrating the legacy of Thor in the MCU. Considering it came just a few weeks after Hemsworth was officially confirmed as part of the Avengers: Doomsday cast, many wondered if the video indicated that the upcoming Marvel movie would be his last time wielding the hammer. Hemsworth recently spoke with THR and clarified the situation, saying…

Hemsworth’s video certainly got fans talking. Some wondered if he was simply saying goodbye to Thor then and there. Others, knowing about his Avengers: Doomsday casting, seemed to be getting prepared for Thor to be killed off in the movie or otherwise see the story reach some sort of ending.

While the Australian actor says there was no need for “damage control,” it’s still good to hear him clarify his thought process behind the video. Whatever else Chris Hemsworth does in his career, it’s difficult to imagine he’ll ever do anything that will be quite as big as Thor. With that, I think his decision to honor the character is a worthy endeavor.

Also, certainly when we see Thor in Doomsday, he’ll be a very different sort of character than he was in the last Avengers movie. While 2022's Thor: Love and Thunder wasn't as well-received as its predecessor, it was a major turning point for Thor as a character. It seems that was at play in posting the video, as it celebrated the first chapter of Thor, with a new one on the horizon.

Of course, we still can’t entirely discount the possibility that Thor’s days may be numbered. He’s one of the few original Avengers still kicking around in the MCU. If most of the Asgardian warrior's days are behind him, I wouldn’t exactly be shocked. With the news that Avengers: Secret Wars will function as some sort of MCU reboot, it’s difficult to know just which characters will make it to the other side, and which ones will be played by the same actors, as recasting Marvel heroes is absolutely on the table.

That's still a little ways off, though, and fans can still look forward to seeing Chris Hemsworth as Thor, at the very least, in Avengers: Doomsday, which hits theaters on December 18, 2026. In the meantime, stream the God of Thunder's various movie appearances using a Disney+ subscription.

Wanda Maximoff seemed to perish under a mountainside at the end of Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness. Since then, we have seen nothing of her in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and Agatha All Along seemed to confirm that she was truly dead. That said, when ScreenRant asked WandaVision director and producer Matt Shakman about Wanda’s fate, he seemed quite sure that we’ll see the Scarlet Witch again, saying…

While Wanda Maximoff has been a popular character following her introduction, between the events of WandaVision and Multiverse of Madness, people truly fell in love with the magic-wielder. This made it somewhat unfortunate that the character then died at the end of that arc.

Considering how popular Wanda now is, and the fact that characters tend to come back to life in comic books, many fans have believed that we might see Scarlet Witch in an upcoming Marvel movie or TV show one day. Although, based on everything that Elizabeth Olsen has said, we shouldn’t be expecting to see her back in the upcoming Avengers movies. While she may be trying to prevent spoiling a return, she's been pretty straightforward that she isn't currently under contract to Marvel. Taking her at face value, if that's the case, then evidently we won't be seeing Wanda again anytime soon.

Of course, Marvel Studios is being somewhat open that Avengers: Secret Wars will be acting as a sort of soft reboot for the MCU. So certain characters who have died could return, and we’re expecting some to be recast. As such, even if we don’t see Elizabeth Olsen before this phase of the MCU ends, we might still see her in the future.

It’s also possible, maybe even likely, that while the actress may have moved on, Wanda will be back. We could see a recast Scarlett Witch in the franchise. Considering that Matt Shakman specifically says “Wanda” never dies, this could be one way for the character to return, with or without her existing MCU backstory.

It certainly does seem likely that we will see Scarlet Witch again, it’s just a question of when and how. Fans of the character will ultimately be happy either way. Anybody who wants to see Elizabeth Olsen’s particular Scarlet Witch return, however, might be a bit more disappointed.

A post on Twitter is going viral, as it appears to show a behind-the-scenes shot of Tom Holland as he films Spider-Man: Brand New Day. The post points out that the tight Spider-Man costume is seemingly doing Tom Holland a big favor. This led to one response from somebody who claims it was once a VFX artist's job to… adjust Tom Holland’s package. The post claimed…

This unconfirmed statement, of course, must be taken with a grain of salt. That said, if it was decided that Tom Holland’s bulge was something that needed to be dealt with on screen, one would fully expect that digital tools could be put to work for this specific purpose. Considering how many frames of Avengers: Infinity War would've required VFX work anyway, adding Holland to the list of items to be… manipulated would have been simple enough.

Being the one VFX artist put in charge of Spider-Man’s package doesn't exactly sound like the most glorious job. However, I suppose somebody would have to do it. Also, to be sure, if this was done, it’s not like anybody has noticed that it was done for years, which means the theoretical visual effects work was done very well.

Of course, the internet being the internet, this has led fans in the replies to request to see the “Penis Parker Cut” in order to see what the allegedly unaltered footage from Infinity War, and potentially other MCU movies with Spider-Man, would look like. If I were Tom Holland in the situation, I’m not sure if the appropriate reaction would be to be flattered or disturbed by this.

So we can add the “Penis Parker Cut” to the “Cats Butthole Cut” on the list of edits of major motion pictures that the world claims they need to see, despite the fact that the world doesn’t actually need to see it. Although, now that we’re here, I wouldn't be surprised if there will be a lot of people comparing the final version of Spider-Man: Brand New Day to behind-the-scenes images like these to see if there are any significant…. alterations.

Due to the delay in Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars, Spider-Man: Brand New Day will be here, comparatively, sooner than we thought. The film is set to open in theaters on July 31, 2026. Most fans are excited to see what the next adventure for Peter Parker will be. Some, however, may have more on their mind. In the meantime, stream Infinity War and other Marvel flicks using a Disney+ subscription.

I’ve really been looking forward to Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. Not so much because I’m pumped for the massive finale of the latest MCU saga, but mostly because I’ve been looking forward to the Multiverse Saga finally coming to an end so the Marvel Cinematic Universe can move on to something more interesting.

I haven’t been a fan of the Multiverse Saga since we learned that the period following Avengers: Endgame would be the Multiverse Saga. I just thought it was a bad choice of direction for the MCU. But then, I saw Fantastic Four: First Steps, and now I’m much more interested in the Marvel Multiverse. I just wish Marvel hadn’t waited so long to make it.

The Multiverse Saga Has Failed To Interest Me

On paper, it’s easy to see why the Multiverse has been popular in comic books for decades. What’s better than your favorite superhero? How about five of your favorite superheroes, each one slightly different? The problem is that the Multiverse has rarely been home to interesting stories. Rather, it’s been a way to explain away continuity issues, and those massive crossover events are ultimately designed to simplify storytelling that has become too unwieldy.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe wasn’t broken, and thus didn’t require fixing. While the MCU was massive compared to other movie franchises, it was still relatively small compared to the comic books that inspired it. The story wasn’t actually that hard to follow.

With the recent news that Avengers: Secret Wars will act as some sort of reboot of the MCU, including potentially bringing back dead characters as well as recasting them, it feels like the entire Multiverse Saga may have existed simply to achieve that goal, which is frustrating, as the fact that time actually flows in the MCU in something that resembles reality, unlike the comics, has been one of the most interesting things about it.

It’s not that I dislike most of the Multiverse saga films. I think the best of them are truly great, and the worst of them are simply forgettable. However, none of them made me feel like the Multiverse Saga was a thing that needed to exist until The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps Is The Multiverse Done Right

For all the talk of the continuity and connections of the MCU, the fact is that most of the movies in the franchise actually stand alone just fine. That said, The Fantastic Four: First Steps told a story that stood on its own in a way no Marvel movie had since Iron Man. It was entirely self-contained as it took place from start to finish in a separate universe.

The movie acknowledges the existence of the Multiverse, and we know from the post-credits scene of Thunderbolts* that the Fantastic Four will come to the MCU eventually, but none of that was important to the movie that’s currently in theaters, and it’s glorious.

The particular details of Fantastic Four and its retro-future aesthetic are absolutely “my jam,” as it were, and so I loved those elements specifically, but what I really loved was the idea of taking a superhero movie and giving us an entire story set in one of those universes. It works with new characters easily, but I wouldn’t hate to see a Captain America movie done this way.

Why Did Marvel Do This So Late?

If this had been the Multiverse Saga from the beginning, a series of movies that were only connected by the Multiverse and were otherwise stand-alone, I would have been much more interested. We could have seen different worlds, different heroes. The potential creativity would have been limitless. Then you could have a crossover event that brings those characters from different worlds together to fight a bad guy, and it could have been excellent.

If superhero fatigue is a real thing, this could have been a way to prevent it by keeping things fresh and not simply continuing to follow the same stories. Putting the Fantastic Four in an alternate universe was likely the easiest way to explain their existence in the MCU without doing major retocons in the main universe, but as soon as they stumbled on the idea, Marvel should have realized what they had.

And yet, one assumes that, once the Multiverse Saga is over, the Multiverse will cease to be an active concern. First Steps may be the only movie of its kind we will ever see. The Multiverse may not even technically exist in the MCU after Doomsday and Secret Wars. If that happens, then this door into new and interesting ideas will be closed. Honestly, I think now I hate the Multiverse Saga even more for what it could have been.

Could Avengers: Secret Wars Give Us More Movies Like Fantastic Four?

But maybe it could still be that? The final part of the MCU that has thus far been announced is Avengers: Secret Wars, currently set to hit theaters in December of 2027. The film is set to be the end of the Multiverse Saga as far as we know, but recently, Kevin Feige and others have referred to the film more as a beginning than an end.

A couple of years ago, my colleague Eric Eisenberg suggested that Secret Wars shouldn't be simply a film in the MCU but rather an entire phase, as the comic story that inspired the name opens the door to a host of potential multiverse stories that could each have a place in the MCU.

Depending on exactly how the events of Avengers: Secret Wars play out, we could still get exactly that. If whatever multiversal cataclysm is likely to be at the center of Doomday and/or Secret Wars isn't resolved by the end of the latter film, the possibility certainly exists that we could get an entire phase of Marvel movies, each one set in its own universe, perhaps with versions of characters that are first introduced in those movies.

Even if the Multiverse ceases to be a focus after Secret Wars, as long as the concept of the Multiverse survives, the door will always be open to a movie set on a different Earth. If there's an idea for a story set elsewhere, I certainly hope we can still see it.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is the latest entry in the 2025 movie schedule to dominate the box office, and for many, including me, it’s a great soft reset of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. One of the things I most liked about it was that it wasn’t heavy on the MCU-cameos like so many others have been.

That doesn’t mean there weren’t any cameos, however. In fantastic nod to an oft-forgotten bit of Marvel movie lore, all four cast members of the ill-fated, Roger Corman-produced, unreleased Fantastic Four movie from 1994 turned up in the latest. I’d love to see Marvel do more of this.

First Steps Is Full Of Tributes

The latest MCU movie features several tributes to the history of Marvel, most notably a major, long-overdue tribute to Jack Kirby, the co-creator of The Fantastic Four. Not only is there a quote from Kirby at the end of the film, but the Earth-828, where the movie is set, is in honor of Kirby’s birthday, August 28th, 1917. There is also a scene portraying Kirby and co-creator Stan Lee in the movie.

Those aren’t all, however. One cameo (or cameos) that you might have missed is the four actors who played the First Family of Marvel in the wild adaptation that B-Movie legend Roger Corman produced in 1994. The movie was famously shelved at the time and has yet to see the light of day. Still, First Steps director Matt Shakman found a wonderful way to pay tribute to the movie.

At the beginning of the movie, there is a montage of people thanking The Fantastic Four for everything they have done. In one of those floating bubbles are four unassuming actors who express their gratitude. Those four actors -- Rebecca Staab, Alex Hyde-White, Jay Underwood, and Michael Bailey Smith -- play Reed, Sue, Johnny, and Ben, respectively, in the infamous adaptation. I say, why stop now? Let’s get some more cameos from actors in long-forgotten Marvel adaptations in a pre-MCU world.

There Is A Rich History Of Pre-MCU Movies And TV Shows To Draw From

The MCU is great about including cheeky cameos. This reached a zenith in 2021 with Spider-Man: No Way Home when Toby Maguire and Andrew Garfield returned as their pre-MCU versions of the web-slinger. I think they could go deeper. Much deeper.

The first show in the pre-MCU world that stands out to me, as a Gen Xer, is the 1970s television show, The Amazing Spider-Man. Nicholas Hammond played Spidey in that version. Hammond, who is most famous for playing Friedrich von Trapp in The Sound of Music, is still working, with his most recent film credit coming in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. We’ve got a new Spider-Man movie coming next year, let’s see a cameo!

Another fun choice for a random cameo would be David Hasselhoff, who played the role Samuel L. Jackson has made most famous, Nick Fury, in Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., a made-for-TV movie that was intended to be a pilot for a show that never happened in 1998. How much fun would that be? Hasselhoff, of course, did make a cameo as himself in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.

The list is not endless, but there are so many options. Eric Allan Kramer, who played Thor in a TV movie in the ‘80s, Matt Salinger, who starred in a straight-to-video Captain America movie in the ‘90s, and Peter Hooten, star of the forgotten 1978 TV movie, Doctor Strange, are all excellent candidates.

Let’s pay tribute to those actors who took on these roles in low-budget, almost doomed-from-the-start productions, but helped keep Marvel going in the lean times, in some upcoming Marvel movies. It's the right thing to do and a fun way to do it!

Robert Downey Jr. just posted a fun video on his Instagram of him taking a morning walk on the beach. The entire clip is set to his son, Indio Downey’s, song, “Change of Scenery.” The caption from the Tony Stark actor reads, “What’s your summer #changeofscenery? Me = early morning beach walk. You = ???” Check out the full video below:

This was a proud dad moment, but what caught my attention even more were the eagle-eyed Marvel Cinematic Universe fans making significant connections to Iron Man. One fan account, @Drdoomarchive, took to X (formerly Twitter) to point out some interesting jewelry the Kiss Kiss Bang Bang actor was sporting in the video. The fan account posted: “the ring being the ARC REACTOR. also what is that pendant?” Why, it would appear so, and I love that sweet accessory.

Unsurprisingly, other fans are sharing comments as well. Let's take a look at some of the best replies, which have me really thinking about what’s possibly to come for the actor (who may or may not be sticking around for the long haul as Doom):

• @aliciapino: “And beard too”
• @catherinespaws: “It looks like either a skull or an iron man helmet”
• @mufcbecks7: “Tony stark lives forever”
• @Zeynubella1: “I think Iron Man helmet”

It may seem like a logical leap to some, especially considering the video in question is merely of the Oppenheimer star walking on the beach, which has sparked a ton of fan theories. However, can you really blame them? He’s rocking a full-on fire engine red (Iron Man’s fav) colored outfit and has Stark's classic goatee.

Some folks in the comments rightfully pointed out that the goatee is a pretty typical look for the Hollywood A-lister. Plus, he's sporting what appears to be an Iron Man helmet necklace and that aforementioned arc reactor ring. That’s quite a throwback to his iconic role, especially since we know he’s making a big return to the MCU as Victor Von Doom. But who knows? The wild theory would be that he's hinting at a multiverse version of Tony Stark!

Of course, it's hard to say if RDJ is actually dropping real-life easter eggs to get fans' hearts racing because there really is a connection between his beloved Tony Stark and his upcoming turn as a villain. It's also totally possible that he's sporting some fun Iron Man merch just for the heck of it. We’ll have to wait until the upcoming superhero movie hits theaters as part of the 2026 movie release schedule.

Robert Downey Jr returns to the MCU via Avengers: Doomsday, which is set to release on December 18, 2026. Before its release, consider watching all the Marvel movies in order with a Disney+ subscription.

Fans who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order have been waiting for the Fantastic Four to finally join in on the fun, myself included. Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox opened the doors for that, and First Steps had heart and style. Sue was arguably the biggest hero of the movie, but I found myself distracted a bit by Vanessa Kirby's accent.

Vanessa Kirby's Accent Threw Me Off

Kirby is a talented actress, one with action experience, as well as both an Emmy and Academy Award nomination. But I felt like her accent came and went throughout the movie. I didn't notice it in the first scene, but then it came in strong with the second. For the start of the film I was wondering if I was simply hearing things.

The trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps hinted that Sue would have an accent, specifically thanks to the way she responds to the Silver Surfer. When asked if they were the protectors of Earth she says "We are," with her accent heard in the latter word. But I found myself tracking this dialect choice throughout the movie rather than simply being settled in and allowing the 114-minute runtime to wash over me.

Invisible Woman has always been one of my favorite Marvel characters, and is one that I'd frequently use in video games. She's even my main in the popular online game Marvel Rivals. Add in the badass ways he used her abilities in the battle against Galactus, and I was hyped throughout First Steps.

This isn't to say that Vanessa Kirby wasn't great in the role. Sue is the heart of The Fantastic Four: First Steps thanks to the layered and vulnerable performance given by the Crown alum. But a quick search on X will show that I'm not the only one who felt that the accent used in her MCU debut was somewhat disorienting.

Kirby and her Fantastic Four co-stars have already been confirmed as part of the Avengers: Doomsday cast announcement, so they'll be able to jump right into a full-blown crossover event when returning for the upcoming Marvel movie. And from the Thunderbolts* end credits scene, it looks like they'll definitely be meeting up with the New Avengers.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is in theaters now as part of the 2025 movie release schedule, and the titular team will return to theaters in Avengers: Doomsday on December 18th, 2026.

This topic came up while Gruffud was reflecting on his time working on 2005’s Fantastic Four and 2007’s Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer with Vulture, naturally timed with First Steps’ release on the 2025 movies schedule. When asked if he got “joy and satisfaction” out of seeing Chris Evans play Johnny Storm again, the actor said this:

Deadpool & Wolverine came out five years after Chris Evans made his last appearance as Steve Rogers/Captain America in Avengers: Endgame. Though Evans has insisted that he’s not playing Steve again despite rumors claiming the contrary for next year’s Avengers: Doomsday, he was persuaded to revisit Johnny Storm nearly two decades after his last appearance as the character. Sadly, his time with the character was short-lived, as his skin was ripped off by Cassandra Nova after Wade Wilson threw him under the bus for his foul-mouthed tirade against the bald baddie.

But hey, at least Evans got to make a brief, expletive-filled return to the MCU and entertained so many people with it, including Ioan Gruffud. While the 2000s-era Fantastic Four movies weren’t exactly critical darlings, Gruffud nonetheless had a good time working with Evans on them, and feels that his depiction of Human Torch is just as important to the superhero movie landscape as his tenure as Captain America. Gruffud’s thoughts come shortly after Michael Chiklis, who played Ben Grimm/The Thing, shared a sweet message to the outpouring of love from Fantastic Four fans in the lead-up to First Steps arriving in theaters.

Although none of the 2000s Fantastic Four lineup, nor their counterparts from the 2015 reboot, will be present in Avengers: Doomsday, the latest incarnation of the team will appear in the upcoming Marvel movie. There will also still be some Fox superhero movie era love since Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Rebecca Romijn, Alan Cumming, Kelsey Grammer and James Marsden are reprising their respective roles from the X-Men film series, as well as Channing Tatum returning as Gambit following his surprise appearance in Deadpool & Wolverine.

Besides being set on an Earth in the 1960s where technology is a lot more advanced than what we had back then and showing Galactus as an actual giant walking and talking entity, another big way The Fantastic Four: First Steps distinguished itself from the previous Fantastic Four movies was by using Franklin Richards. Not only was Reed Richards and Sue Storm’s son born in the middle of the 2025 movie release, he also had the same reality-bending powers that he does in the comics. In fact, that’s the reason Galactus came to Earth-828 in the first place!

Well, this was just the start of Franklin’s journey in the MCU, as the Fantastic Four: First Steps mid-credits scene teased Doctor Doom’s interest in the boy. This will be explored more in next year’s Avengers: Doomsday, which, along with Avengers: Secret Wars, will bring the Multiverse Saga to a close. But the more I think about Franklin’s introduction in First Steps, the more I’m convinced that he’s not just tagging along with his parents and uncles in these next Avengers movies. Rather, he’s going to play an integral role in these upcoming Marvel movies.

What Happens To Franklin In First Steps’ Mid-Credits Scene

With the ending of The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ main story briefly checking in with the team a year after Galactus and Silver Surfer were banished from Earth, the movie’s mid-credits scene picks up four years after that, placing Franklin around about five years old. After she’s done reading a book to her son, Sue goes to the other side of the room to pick up another one of his favorites (not Charles Darwin’s Origin of the Species). When she turns around though, Franklin is standing in front of a mysterious man in a green cloak holding a metal mask.

This man is, of course, Doctor Doom, the Fantastic Four’s arch-nemesis in the comics. While he didn’t factor into the events of First Steps, Robert Downey Jr.’s version of Doom has taken over from Jonathan Majors’ Kang the Conqueror as the lead antagonist of Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. It’s also been confirmed that this scene was shot by directors Joe and Anthony Russo during filming on Doomsday rather than as part of the First Steps’ production.

There’s An Interesting Fan Theory About Doctor Doom And Doom And Franklin

The sight of Franklin Richards reaching up to touch Doctor Doom’s unobscured face caught my attention, as Doom almost takes off his metal mask because of his scarred visage. So I decided to see what other people thought of this Fantastic Four: First Steps moment and stumbled across an interesting theory posited in various places, including Reddit: that Franklin will be the reason Doom looks like Tony Stark.

The idea is that Franklin will manipulate Franklin into changing his face so that he can fool the Avengers and other heroes on Earth-616. It’s a fascinating idea, although I wonder if it’s not so much about transforming Doom’s face, but rather just healing his scars if Robert Downey Jr.’s version of the character is a Tony Stark variant. Regardless, I think there’s a more important reason that Franklin is necessary to the story being told across Doomsday and Secret Wars.

I Think Franklin Will Substitute For Another Character From 2015’s Secret Wars

There are two Marvel Comics storylines known as Secret Wars, with both premises involving locations called Battleworld. Although Avengers: Secret Wars will incorporate plot elements from both storylines, given that we’re still in the Multiverse Saga, it’s reasonable to assume that the movie will be more influenced by the 2015 event. That story saw Doctor Doom gaining godlike powers and merging various Earths into one Battleworld. While the multiverse was restored by the end, the comics’ Earth-616 and elements of the original Ultimate Universe were merged, most notably Miles Morales and his family and friends.

It was revealed during 2015’s Secret Wars that Victor von Doom become God Emperor Doom when he channeled the power of Earth-616’s Molecule Man, who’d absorbed the powers of his counterparts from other universes when they were destroyed in an effort to kill the Beyonders. It was only when Molecule Man was freed and he transferred his enhanced power to Mister Fantastic that the multiverse was restored. But I don’t think we’ll be seeing Molecule Man in the MCU.

Rather, I think that Franklin Richards will be the power source for whatever scheme Doctor Doom has concocted for Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, whether that be forming his own Battleworld or reshaping the multiverse in some other way. Maybe Doom simply continues manipulating the boy after kidnapping him, or maybe he finds a way to siphon off Franklin’s power directly into himself. Either way, without Franklin, the events of Doomsday and Secret Wars don’t happen.

What This Could Mean For The Future Of The MCU

Needless to say that when all is said and done, Doctor Doom will be defeated by the end of Secret Wars, just like Thanos was in Avengers: Endgame. It’s also safe to assume that Franklin will be returned to his parents safe and sound. However, that doesn’t mean everything will be back to normal by the time the Multiverse Saga has concluded.

Quite the contrary, as Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige described Secret Wars to Variety as a “reset” of the MCU and indicated there will eventually come a time when characters like Tony Stark and Steve Rogers are recast. Then there’s the Jake Schreier-directed X-Men reboot in development, which will presumably feature the mutant superheroes in the same main MCU timeline following our reunion with various versions of these characters from 20th Century Fox’s X-Men film series.

However the MCU ends looking post-Secret Wars, my money is on Franklin Richards being responsible for any changes that occur. Ok, let me rephrase: Franklin’s powers will be responsible, except this time, it’s another individual who’s harnessing them to undo whatever Doctor Doom did. Maybe it’s Reed Richards who does it like he did in the comics with Molecule Man’s power, or maybe it’s someone else. Though now that I think about it, I suppose it’s also possible that Franklin’s intelligence could also increase to a point where he could handle this himself.

Either way, we’ll have him to thank for closing out one MCU era and ushering in a new one. Alas, since Avengers: Doomsday doesn’t come out until December 18 on the 2026 movies schedule, and Avengers: Secret Wars following on December 17, 2027, it’ll be a while until we learn if my speculation is on the money or not.

Some of the best stories see the hero’s journey turned into something much darker. As The Fantastic Four: First Steps brings the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s 2025 movies to a close, it also sets the stage for the upcoming Marvel movies of Phase 6 - and beyond. Which means Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars are on the horizon, with Robert Downey Jr’s return as Doctor Doom promising a big bad for the ages.

Some people aren’t exactly thrilled with this casting, but I’m open to seeing how the former Iron Man star makes his big four-panel heel turn in 2026. You might not expect that, but part of my happiness comes from the parallels between Marvel Studios’ 2008 origin story and The Fantastic Four’s cinematic return. Let’s talk about why:

Reed Richards Perfectly Embodies Tony Stark's Guilty Genius

It figures that Pedro Pascal’s Fantastic patriarch would be the lighter mirror image to Robert Downey Jr’s Doctor Doom. As we see throughout First Steps’ narrative, Reed Richards is conflicted about the fact that the space mission he and his family went on mutated them into their metahuman state. That’s the sort of guilt that Tony Stark has shouldered throughout the MCU, as both men expect themselves to think their way out of any scenario safely.

What really snapped this comparison together was the moment in The Fantastic Four: First Steps where the hero, also known as Mr. Fantastic, is called out by Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) for “baby proofing the world.” Hearing those words triggered memories of Avengers: Age of Ultron’s “suit of armor around the world” remarks that Tony Stark threw out.

Reed Tech Is The Stark Industries Of Earth 828

Quick question for you: who has a lavish New York tower that acts as a lab, headquarters, and living space to die for? If you answered, “the guy with the indispensable robotic assistant,” then you’ve proven my point.

Reed Richards also lives like Tony Stark, inventing a lot of the sorts of devices his Earth-616 counterpart (and his departed dad) would have dabbled in through decades of history. While it lacks the problematic arms dealing, ReedTech has the same sort of hold on Earth-828’s economy as Stark Industries does in its relative dimension.

Baby monitors, flying police cars, a ‘60s equivalent to hyperspace travel, and of course, teleportation are all part of the achievements The Fantastic Four’s alternate 1965 benefits from. Reed Richards and Tony Stark are practically corporate cousins at this point.

Johnny Storm Represents The More Casual Side Of Tony

Turning back to the more personality-based assessment of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, another strong parallel comes from Joseph Quinn’s Johnny Storm. The young heartthrob of the group, Johnny’s resemblance to Tony Stark’s mix of bravado, wisdom, and lady chasing is something we saw even before getting eyes on the full movie. You can thank the “Sunday Dinner” promo clip for that, which is shown below:

The entire family loves to “work the problem,” practically adopting the words “we’ll figure it out” as a motto. However, what pushes Johnny Storm over the line and into Tony territory is the fact that he tries to sacrifice himself to send Galactus (Ralph Ineson) into a wormhole intended to strand him.

Those of you with a Disney+ subscription who want to check my math, you can skip to the end of The Avengers, and compare that time Tony Stark tried to pull an Armageddon style sacrifice - but fell back to Earth in the nick of time.

The Fantastic Four Are Seemingly The First Superheroes Of Their Dimension

While the historical timeline in the MCU saw heroes such as the Eternals and Captain America pre-dating Iron Man’s big reveal, the release order saw Tony Stark building the foundation of this long-term juggernaut. Meanwhile, in Earth-828, The Fantastic Four: First Steps seems to place these heroes as the first meta-humans in their home base.

How else would you expect repeated primetime TV specials on The Ted Gilbert Show, celebrating their arrival? Besides, of course, an easy source of exposition that allowed The Fantastic Four: First Steps to make some challenging cuts.

Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark may not have been the first hero in his timeline, but he did inspire Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) to revive The Avengers Initiative. After sitting in a desk drawer for at least 13 years (per Captain Marvel’s chain of events), Tony did help initiate the first incarnation of Earth’s mightiest heroes.

As The Fantastic Four: First Steps Opens MCU Phase 6, It Sets Up Massive Hype For An Evil Robert Downey Jr.

There very well may be more parallels I’ve overlooked in this comparison, but I think I’ve proven my point. Tony Stark and Marvel Studios’ legacy have been renewed through the first picture in MCU Phase 6. Over the course of the three times I’ve seen the film (so far), the point that drove this entire conversation revealed itself to me: Robert Downey Jr. is one hell of a choice for Doctor Doom.

As a James Bond fan, I can appreciate the “dark mirror” plot device, in which a hero is confronted by their opposite number. Audiences used to seeing Downey as the heroically flawed and in-control Tony Stark are going to be in for a surprise when seeing him play the Latverian figure that rejects everything Reed Richards stands for.

To bring it all home, consider this: Robert Downey Jr. is going to be playing a Marvel Comics character that could bring his Academy Award-winning turn in Oppenheimer into the MCU. J. Robert Oppenheimer had Lewis Strauss, and now Reed Richards has his Doctor Doom.

Think of what a man like that would be capable of with resources and superhuman powers. With that scenario in mind, feel free to revisit The Fantastic Four: First Steps in theaters now, paying close attention to what clues may be present in that Doom’d mid-credits scene.

While we’re all celebrating The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ path to victory, the 2025 movie release has helped (Doctor) Doom the Marvel Cinematic Universe. How else would you describe the fact that the arrival of Robert Downey Jr.’s Avengers: Doomsday role is that much closer?

Back in the world of reality, the brass at Marvel Studios is looking to keep its budgets in check, and apparently was able to do so with Pedro Pascal and company’s debut in their sandbox. Don’t expect that to last, as reports on veteran team members returning for Avengers: Doomsday indicate a very different picture; but for some solid reasons.

Pedro Pascal’s Fantastic Four Pay Day Rationale, Explained

Keep in mind, what we’re about to discuss is all based off of “insider” accounts and speculation. However, according to Variety, the reported reason The Last of Us' former leading man was able to help keep the numbers reasonable is because this adventure is considered his big leap from TV lead to the big screen player.

By that logic, one could probably apply the same thinking to The Bear’s Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Stranger Things’ Joseph Quinn, as they too have found themselves as first time Marvel movie leads. Meanwhile, Vanessa Kirby theoretically could have had an advantage in her negotiations, considering she’s been in two Mission: Impossible movies, as well as Hobbs & Shaw.

This explains the recent stories about how X-Men’s upcoming casting strategy is one that’s focusing on relative unknowns, in the name of providing freshness and savings. Should this model hold up, and in light of First Steps’ fantastic opening weekend, one shouldn’t expect that thinking to hold up with Avengers: Doomsday.

Avengers: Doomsday Supposedly Means Big Bucks For Robert Downey Jr. And Chris Hemsworth

I’m reminded of a saying from another wildly successful comic book movie when looking at this next part of our story. After all, it was Heath Ledger’s Joker from The Dark Knight who once said, “If you’re good at something, never do it for free.”

While founding Avengers Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Hemsworth were surely being paid well for their efforts on 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, one shouldn’t expect that to just go away as a result of some time and distance in the MCU.

Superhero Hype can back that claim short of confirmation, as they’ve reported that the Iron Man star could be making “significantly more than $80 million” for both of Marvel’s cinematic splash-panel event pictures. Likewise, the original reporting cited above has Hemsworth’s Thor revival worthy of similar treatment, stating that both men “won’t be working at a discount.”

I’m sure if you added the value of Robert Downey Jr.’s Avengers: Doomsday perks into the equation, whatever the true number is would be even higher. However, after over a decade of connected universe storytelling (an an Oscar win in Team Downey’s corner), these reportedly big pay days for the founding team members sound fair and valid.

That being said, one can only hope that Pedro Pascal and the rest of the Fantastic Four crew will soon see such consideration in their future endeavors; especially with their own parts to play as part of Doomsday’s uber-stacked cast. We’ll see where that money went next Christmas, as December 18th will herald the day when the Doctor (Doom) is in theaters worldwide.

Those who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order will know that some franchises stand out as fan favorites. Black Panther is definitely in that category, which is why fans are so eager to see what comes next after Wakanda Forever's ending. In a new episode of The Hot Mic, scooper Jeff Sneider offered a timeline about that developing threequel. He offered:

Well, that's exciting. While just a rumor at this point, this offers an actual timeline about when we should expect Coogler's third Black Panther movie to film and eventually hit theaters. Since almost nothing about that project has been revealed to the general public, this is sure to promptly go viral.

As previously mentioned, we're pretty much in the dark for the next big screen adventure in Wakanda. Coogler and company have been keeping their cards close to the chest, although Denzel Washington revealed he's expected to have a role in the blockbuster. Although exactly who he might play in Black Panther 3 is a total mystery.

Given how little progress has been made so far, a February 2028 release date seems reasonable for Coogler's threequel. We'll just have to wait and see if/when this schedule is confirmed by the studio.

Narratively, there are plenty of threads to pull from with a third Black Panther movie. The first sequel ended with Shuri becoming the next Panther, but not taking the throne. It was heavily implied that M'Baku might become king, but Wakanda Forever's credits scene revealed that T'Challa and Nakia had a secret son. As such, he might have his own claim to the throne.

We might have to wait a few years to see another BP movie, but connections to Wakanda continue to be part of the MCU. The animated series Eyes of Wakanda is on Disney+ now, and the Avengers: Doomsday cast announcement confirmed Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, and Tenoch Huerta Mejía would be reprising their roles as Shuri, M'Baku, and Namor, respectively.

All will be revealed when Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters on December 18th, 2026, as part of the 2026 movie release list. Let's just hope that we get information about the future of the Black Panther franchise sooner rather than later.

Eyes of Wakanda is the latest superhero show to hit the 2025 TV schedule, and it’s a sweet piece of work. Produced by Ryan Coogler, the four-episode miniseries highlights different periods in history and follows members of the Hatut Zaraze, who must retrieve Wakandan artifacts made of Vibranium. I was definitely expecting the show to be steeped in the Black Panther franchise’s mythology. However, I was surprised that the finale had an explicit link to the first movie in the Panther series, and it's definitely worth discussing.

How Does Eyes Of Wakanda’s Finale Directly Tie Into Black Panther?

The final episode of the Marvel Cinematic Universe-set series (which is streamable with a Disney+ subscription) is titled “The Last Panther.” In it, the two War Dogs, the young and brash Tafari and the seasoned and strong Kuda, recover a vibranium axe amid the First Italo-Ethiopian War in 1896. On their way back to Wakanda, the duo encounter a powerful warrior dressed in Panther-like garb. Not only is this character indeed a Black Panther but one who hails from 500 years into the future.

It turns out this particular Panther comes from a timeline in which Earth has been invaded by monstrous aliens. As she explains (and uses advanced mental technology to visualize), her era shifted out of balance once Tafari took the axe. Because it wasn’t left in its place amid the battlefield, the item wasn’t in the position to be recovered and eventually held in the Museum of Great Britain years later. That museum is where Erik Killmonger and Ulysses Klaue steal it during the events of the first Black Panther movie.

While it may seem odd as to why the axe would need to be stolen, it makes sense. Killmonger and Klaue’s actions set in motion the former’s war with T’Challa and co., which eventually leads to T’Challa opening Wakanda to the rest of the world. That lack of unity in the alternate timeline is what leaves the planet vulnerable to the alien horde. Ultimately, Tafari and Kuda are convinced of the Panther’s story and return the axe. In short, it’s an unexpected yet cool story that makes me appreciate this franchise’s lore even more.

Eyes Of Wakanda Effectively Adds To The Black Panther Franchise's Worldbuilding Efforts

Creatives behind certain MCU installments craft interesting lore, with titles like Shang-Chi, Ms. Marvel and Loki being prime examples. However, in many cases, some of the interconnected franchise’s properties don’t feature fully fleshed out worlds. That’s not a problem with the Black Panther series, thanks to the efforts of Ryan Coogler and co. Despite being a fictional place, Wakanda feels like a rich location with a storied history and culture. That richness only expands in 2022’s Wakanda Forever, which also introduces Talokan.

It’s no wonder that Panther remains one of Marvel’s biggest IPs, and that makes it unfortunate that the property has experienced setbacks over the past several years. The biggest, of course, was the tragic passing of Chadwick Boseman, who portrayed T’Challa. A planned TV spinoff centered on Okoye of the Dora Milaje is reportedly not in the cards now, either.

Thank goodness for Eyes of Wakanda, though, which adds cool concepts and characters to the canon. It even introduces a new version of Iron Fist to the MCU. On top of that, a third Black Panther movie (featuring Denzel Washington) is in the works, too. At present, however, I’m just impressed with how this new animated prequel series ties the lore together with a time travel-centric story involving a simple macguffin.

Stream Eyes of Wakanda on Disney+ now alongside the Black Panther movies. Also, read up on upcoming Marvel shows.

After being forced to sit out 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Marvel Studios returned in a big way in 2021 by not only kicking off its run of Disney+ subscription-exclusive MCU TV shows, but also releasing four movies. The second of those movies was Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, starring Simu Liu as the titular character. I certainly found Shang-Chi’s origin story to be an enjoyable watch, but four years after its release, an internet user made a comment about him that I’ve also been wondering about.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings was both a critical and commercial success for Marvel, so there’s no question that this was one of the stronger debuts for an MCU character, especially post-Phase 3. And yet, as X user @brookstweetz so astutely put it:

Now to be fair, that’s not entirely accurate, as Simu Liu did vocally reprise Shang-Chi in two episodes of What If… ? Season 3, and he’ll also be heard in Marvel Zombies on the 2025 TV schedule this October. But as far as the main MCU reality goes, i.e. the Sacred Timeline, yeah, I agree it is weird that the skilled martial artist and inheritor of the mystical ten rings previously wielded by his father has not popped up since then. That’s not to say the still-in-development Shang-Chi 2 needed to be released by now, but given Marvel’s habit of having leading superheroes from one project make supporting appearances or cameos in other projects, I can’t be faulted for thinking that Shang-Chi could have gotten the same treatment.

The good news is we at least know when we’ll finally reunite with the Sacred Timeline’s Shang-Chi. Simu Liu is part of the massive ensemble cast for next year’s Avengers: Doomsday, which has been filming in London since late April. Although Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ mid-credits scene teased that the rings are acting as a beacon for something, it’s unclear if that will be addressed in Doomsday. It also remains to be seen if Liu will also be present in Avengers: Secret Wars, as so far Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom and the Fantastic Four are only confirmed characters for that movie.

Still, it’ll be nice to Shang-Chi back in action come December 18, 2026. It’s been far too long since we spent time with him in a live-action setting, and I look forward to seeing him fight alongside the Fantastic Four, Avengers, New Avengers and X-Men, among others. Meanwhile, Simu Liu’s next movie, the animated In Your Dreams, will become available to stream with a Netflix subscription starting on November 14.

In addition to its strong opening weekend performance, The Fantastic Four: First Steps has been met with a lot of positive critical reception, so it’s fair to call it one of Marvel Studios’ successes. However, not everyone’s a fan of the latest adaptation of Marvel’s First Family. Rob Liefeld, who co-created Deadpool with Fabian Nicieza, didn’t mince words while sharing his thoughts about the 2025 movie starring Pedro Pascal’s Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby’s Invisible Woman, Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s Thing and Joseph Quinn’s Human Torch.

Following five months after he took aim at Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige over Captain America: Brave New World’s box office drop, Liefeld went on X to share a picture he took of an empty IMAX theater screening First Steps to accompany his negative reaction to the movie. Check it out:

Ok, I need to point out that Rob Liefeld posted this on Tuesday. Sure, it’s a shame that theater wasn’t packed, but at 5 pm on a Tuesday, a lot of people are either still at work or have just come home and might not be in the mood to go straight back out to see a movie. Plus, IMAX tickets cost more than what you’d pay for a standard screening, so taking those factors into consideration, I don’t think the amount of attendees in that theater should be considered indicative of The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ quality.

Still, Rob Liefeld is entitled to his opinion about First Steps, as no movie is ever going to please every person that sees it. Still, this continues the writer/artist’s critical streak towards Marvel. Back in January, he expressed his dissatisfaction at Deadpool & Wolverine not including Josh Brolin’s Cable. Then the following month, Liefeld shared that he’d severed ties with Marvel over issues that began in 2023, but reached a tipping point over alleged slights at the Deadpool & Wolverine New York premiere. Also, in February 2024, he announced that he was retiring from working on Deadpool comics, though he cited his age as the main reason for this.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps may not have Rob Liefeld’s cup of tea, but with its 86% Tomatometer and 92% Popcornmeter scores on Rotten Tomatoes, it certainly was for many others. A Fantastic Four sequel is reportedly already in development, and as theorized by Variety last month, it could fit into one of the four theatrical slot’s Marvel’s blocked off for 2028. Other possibilities include the long-awaited Blade reboot, Black Panther 3 and the X-Men reboot.

But we don’t have to wait until then to reunite with the MCU’s Fantastic Four, as they’ll return for Avengers: Doomsday in December 2026, followed by Avengers: Secret Wars in December 2027. Finger crossed that Rob Liefeld is more entertained by their appearances in those gigantic ensembles.

Recently, Egerton chatted about his project on the 2025 movie schedule, She Rides Shotgun, as well as what it has been like to work on a number of different kinds of projects throughout his varied and wide-ranging career on an episode of Happy, Sad, Confused. When the conversation turned to Wolverine, he had a hard time talking about once being a prospect for the role, especially because it never got past fan casting and the rumor mill. He said:

Of course, Marvel never actually ended up recasting anyone as a young Wolverine, and Jackman actually wound up coming back to play Logan in Deadpool and Wolverine after previously retiring from the part in 2017. Egerton wanted to emphasize this point and why it was more interesting and effective for Jackman to return rather than recasting the character. He said:

While Egerton was once interested in the prospect, as he admitted, he seemingly became disillusioned with it, especially as his career progressed.

He is at a level of fame now where he is recognizable for the number of roles he’s played on both the big and the small screen. However, he isn’t a mega superstar with an unmanageable level of fame that prevents him from living the life he wants to live. The Carry-On star explained that he is comfortable in his current situation, and playing a character like Wolverine may skyrocket him into an overwhelming superstardom that he might not actually want. He explained:

This makes complete sense, and I completely understand where Egerton is coming from. The actor has a steady career, and he doesn’t need to take on such a big blockbuster film where the entire movie would be constructed around a character that another A-list movie star played so brilliantly. I still think he would’ve been great in the role, and I have loved some of the Taron Egerton/Wolverine fan art I’ve seen around. However, I think the Rocketman actor has a good head on his shoulders to know what he can handle, and I’m just as excited to see him take on other ventures.

You can see Taron Egerton in She Rides Shotgun, which hits theaters on August 1, 2025. Fans can also see him in the new crime drama series, Smoke, which is currently streaming with an AppleTV+ subscription. So, as you can see, while he won't be taking on this X-Man, he is still working hard and producing high-quality projects that are well worth the watch time!

What we know about Avengers: Doomsday is super limited, as the studio has been keeping its cards close to the chest. Filming is underway, and rumors are swirling about what the Russo Brothers' movie might entail. There were rumors that Pedro Pascal's Reed Richards/ Mr. Fantastic was the lead character of Doomsday, Variety is refuting them. Instead, this new report claims that he plays an "integral" role, but isn't the "centerpiece" of the blockbuster. Color me intrigued.

While the Fantastic Four were confirmed in Doomsday's cast announcement, it sounds like Red Richards won't be leading The Avengers when that movie hits theaters next December. But given the mid-credits scene for The Fantastic Four that seemingly debuted Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom, I have to assume that they will heavily factor into the story.

Pedro Pascal has been named the internet's daddy, and he's got tons of fans thanks to his acclaimed roles in The Last Of Us, The Mandalorian, and Game of Thrones. He's already crushing it as Reed Richards, but some fans who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order didn't want to see him leading The Avengers so soon after his debut.

As previously mentioned, multiple teams of superheroes are expected to factor into the action of Avengers: Doomsday. Aside from Earth's Mightiest Heroes, we'll also see the Thunderbolts aka the New Avengers, The Fantastic Four, and the X-Men. And with the multiverse in play, it seems like just about anything could happen in The Russo Brothers' next to Marvel projects.

The Thunderbolts+ credits scene showed the Fantastic Four's ship appearing in the main MCU timeline, which will presumably be the first of these team crossovers. First Steps was a strong first outing for the quartet of heroes (as well as the scene stealer H.E.R.B.I.E.). And I'm eager to see how this family unit ends up interacting with more scrappy groups like the New Avengers. I also can't wait to see Mister Fantastic and company reacting to the tech in the main timeline, after living in retro futuristic alternate universe.

Pedro Pascal and company are just starting their tenures in the MCU, but they've gotten off to a great start. The Fantastic Four: First Steps is in theaters now as part of the 2025 movie release list. And Avengers: Doomsday will follow suit on December 18th, 2026.

What’s Been Said About The Current Plans For Blade, Deadpool And Black Panther?

It was roughly six years ago (during San Diego Comic-Con 2019) that a Blade reboot starring Oscar winner Mahershala Ali was announced with much fanfare. Numerous delays have hit the upcoming Marvel movie since then (even with some potential good news about the story involving Wesley Snipes, as well), and we still don’t have any idea when things will get rolling.

Meanwhile, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is doing well in theaters, and with major hits in the studio’s rearview like Deadpool & Wolverine and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, many are wondering where things stand with the long-awaited reboot and new appearances for old faves like Deadpool and Black Panther. According to a report from Variety, fans should be prepared to wait even longer in at least two cases, as the outlet notes:

As everyone who pays close attention to the world of superhero movies will likely realize, we are hardly in the pre-pandemic boom times that kept all of our excitement levels at 100. This means that things have changed across the board when it comes to spending mega-bucks on every potential superhero blockbuster, especially when one of the biggest markets for those movies, China, has begun to turn its attention elsewhere and business for new superhero movies is way down in that country.

While we can look forward to Spider-Man: Brand New Day on the 2026 movies schedule, as well as the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday (with both currently filming), those two will be exceptions to the new rule of doing everything possible to “keep the cost down,” which includes not loading up casts with A-list talent who command major salaries. Because of that, the Ryan Reynolds-starring Deadpool franchise, as well as the Ali-led Blade update, are still in a holding pattern for now.

However, with Ryan Coogler still riding the high of Sinners, his early 2025 horror hit starring Marvel favorite Michael B. Jordan, things are percolating at a much higher level for a third Black Panther film, particularly with Denzel Washington rebelling against MCU secrecy and revealing he’s going to be in the movie.

Obviously, lots of folks will be disappointed by this update, but remember that some good news is better than none.

SPOILERS ahead for The Fantastic Four: First Steps!

The latest of the new Marvel movies is here with the release of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and leading up to its debut in theaters you might have heard that the Silver Surfer would be in the movie after Doug Jones previously played him. However, when Julia Garner was cast in the role, some backlash took shape around a female version of the iconic comic book character being portrayed. However, now that the movie is out, I need to talk about what a lot of people have wrong about the gender-swap conversation.

Julia Garner Is Not Portraying The Original Silver Surfer

As soon as Julia Garner’s Silver Surfer started appearing in the marketing for the new Fantastic Four movie, there was a lot of backlash out there about Hollywood gender-swapping another iconic character after Taskmaster, for example, was also played by a woman. As one Reddit user said last year: “I’m sorry if you are using Silver Surfer, why not just use the actual Surfer??? What’s wrong with Norrin?” or another saying: “Wow, great actress, but this is an L for the movie.”

But, as pointed out in the original casting report and as we now know from seeing the movie, Garner did not simply replace Silver Surfer with a female version. She plays someone separate from the Norrin Raad character that’s actually in the comics: Shalla-Bal.

Why This Version Of Silver Surfer Works

Before we get to the origins of Shalla-Bal, I want to talk about her role in the movie, which was achieved thanks to mo-cap technology. I thought it worked really well in the context of the story, and its themes about parenting. Now that we’ve seen it, I think it was really smart for her Silver Surfer to show up. Her origin story of giving herself up to save her own child served as a really nice parallel to the Fantastic Four’s difficult decision with Galactus and Franklin, which really gave the movie more heart all around.

Her specifically being a mother who was previously met with the same problem as Sue Storm and Reed Richards, and reaching another conclusion, before later helping the team, really served the storyline of First Steps in a great way. I wasn't expecting to feel this way, but how Shalla-Bal fit into the team saving the world really stuck with me.

Who Is Shalla-Bal In The Comics?

In the comic books, Shalla-Bal first appeared in The Silver Surfer #1 in 1968 in an issue written by Stan Lee and with art by John Buscema. She’s initially depicted as the love interest of the original Silver Surfer, Norrin Radd. He is known for roaming the cosmos to search for planets for Galactus to consume, as Shalla-Bal does in Fantastic Four, while she’s been often used as a pawn by Mephisto and Doctor Doom to defeat Silver Surfer.

In the comics, Shalla-Ball is the empress of her planet, Zenn-La and Norrin’s love interest. In the source material, however, Norrin is the one who volunteers to become Galactus’s herald.

Considering we’re in the Multiverse Saga, and Fantastic Four does not take place on the main Earth we know, I think it makes a lot of sense for the MCU to shuffle the story a bit while also leaving room for Norrin to appear down the line. I like that Silver Surfer is a woman, not just because that's what was decided, but because it actually enriches all involved in the story for the better. And, yes, I hope to see Norrin Ladd (and I think there’s room for him to) show up at some point, as well.

Marvel Studios seems to have an unspoken goal of inducting as many names from Hollywood’s A-List into the Marvel Cinematic Universe as possible, even if that means casting them in a small part of little to no significance. This has actually happened on more than one occasion, including in the latest Marvel movie, The Fantastic Four: First Steps. I’ll start there as I recall some of the big stars who took on decidedly minuscule roles in the MCU.

Natasha Lyonne In The Fantastic Four: First Steps

CinemaBlend’s Adam Holmes suspected that Natasha Lyonne would be voicing H.E.R.B.I.E., a robotic assistant, in The Fantastic Four: First Steps prior to its release, but she ended up playing a love interest to The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) named Rachel. The teacher only shows up for a couple of brief scenes and is never brought up again, which makes me wonder if Marvel is keeping an opportunity open for Ben Grimm to meet Alicia Masters in a later film. However, that also makes me wonder why the Poker Face star’s role was introduced in the first place.

Wendell Pierce In Thunderbolts*

Twice in 2025, Wendell Pierce appeared in a new superhero movie for what amounted to a few, relatively inconsequential minutes, the most recent being in the new DC movie, Superman, as The Daily Planet editor-in-chief Perry White. A couple of months earlier, he showed up in Thunderbolts* as Gary, a Congressman who, in a subplot that I have almost completely forgotten about, has it out for Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) and wants to see her impeached.

Giancarlo Esposito In Captain America: Brave New World

One issue I had with 2025’s Captain America: Brave New World is how it makes Giancarlo Esposito’s Sidewinder a throwaway side character. How does one cast an actor who has perfected the art of villainy (i.e. Breaking Bad, The Mandalorian, The Boys) and make him the secondary antagonist to Tim Blake Nelson’s Samuel “The Leader” Sterns? I just hope the claims that we will see more of the terrorist leader are true.

John C. Reilly In Guardians Of The Galaxy

At the time Guardians of the Galaxy was released in 2014, John C. Reilly was one of the biggest names in the cast. Yet, the Academy Award nominee’s Corpsman Dey is one of the hilarious space adventure’s most forgettable characters, which might not have been the case if he had been brought back in at least one of the sequels.

Idris Elba In Thor

I would not say that Heimdall is really a random or unimportant role in the Thor movies, considering he does guard the Bifrost and shows up in six MCU installments, not counting a What If…? episode. However, it is a pretty small role for an actor as popular and acclaimed as Idris Elba, especially when compared to his other, more prominent comic book movie roles in The Losers, The Suicide Squad, and more.

Benicio Del Toro In Guardians Of The Galaxy

Speaking as a huge fan of Guardians of the Galaxy, I think we can all agree that The Collector’s sole purpose in that film, and ultimately the MCU as a whole, is to provide exposition. Quite frankly, I believe Academy Award winner Benicio del Toro deserves more chances to make this bizarre character really stand out.

Hannibal Buress In Spider-Man: Homecoming

Donald Glover’s role in Spider-Man: Homecoming is surprisingly small for an artist of his magnitude, but still noteworthy for his previous connections to the webslinger and his reprisal cameo in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse as Aaron “The Prowler” Davis. The one who really gets the short end of the stick in the 2017 hit is acclaimed comedian Hannibal Buress, who appears just twice and for mere seconds at a time as Peter Parker’s (Tom Holland) gym teacher, Coach Wilson. He would show up again in No Way Home, but for even less time.

Just to reiterate how little of an impact Buress’ character makes on Homecoming, the comedian couldn’t make it to the premiere and hired a lookalike to pose as him, and barely anyone noticed. I don’t think it should be that easy for an actor to pull off an otherwise brilliant stunt like this at a red carpet event for a huge blockbuster they are appearing in. In other words, Marvel, if you can get the best, give them the best.

For the first decade of the MCU, starting with Iron Man and ending with Avengers: Endgame, the universe, like our own, just kept expanding. It was fantastic. But, I hit a wall with it, and I started to get frustrated. I think they should have brought things back down to earth with more “human-sized” superheroes and villains after hitting a crescendo with Endgame. The new Fantastic Four movie almost gives me what I crave, but not quite.

The Story Is Both In And Out Of The MCU — In A Good Way

First, I’ll talk about what I liked. The story in First Steps stands on its own, and I love that. It’s set on a different Earth in the multiverse, and, at least so far, it’s not connected to it. First Steps stands on its own in many universes that make up the MCU. The Fantastic Four are the only superheroes (that we know of) there, and the story in the movie is set entirely in that universe.

This is what the MCU should have done after Endgame. Bring back stories of individual superheroes, like Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, and a personal favorite of mine, Iron Man 2, did in the early days of the franchise. This is the approach that Daredevil: Born Again took earlier this year, and I loved watching with my Disney+ subscription. In fact, I wrote at the time that the MCU could take a lesson from that.

Because First Steps is its own self-contained story, and is serving as a soft-reset for the MCU as the first movie of Phase 6, it succeeds, at least in my eyes. It shows that not every single movie or story has to be interconnected with the ever-expanding, all-consuming multiverse. I might have blown a gasket had Dr. Strange suddenly appeared to send Galactis to another world. Instead, the main heroes figured out the problem on their own.

I Said It ‘Almost Gets There’

I sarcastically joked a few months ago, before I knew who the villain in First Steps would be, that I was sick of every villain in the MCU being someone who could “eat a planet.” So, Galactis, who literally eats planets, wasn’t exactly my idea of bringing the MCU back to earth, so to speak. If I were ranking the MCU movies based on story alone, this one would be somewhere in the bottom half.

A Galactis-level villain should be saved for team-ups, like an Avengers movie. In the meantime, give me some less powerful villains who can’t just destroy all life on earth with the snap of a finger (sorry, Thanos). Mole Man, or Red Ghost (who was supposed to at least make an appearance in this movie), or any other of a number of the Four’s rogues gallery, would have fit the bill perfectly here.

In the end, I really did like The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and I think it succeeds in a lot of ways, both in kicking off Phase Six of the MCU and as a soft reboot. It’s not a perfect movie, but it is a great one. I love the vibe of the movie, and it sets up their family dynamic wonderfully. It’s just still a little too much. I hope Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which hits theaters as part of the 2026 movie schedule, keeps moving in this direction.

The impressive cast of Fantastic Four originally included John Malkovich, who was tapped for a secret role that turned out to be the supervillain Red Ghost. During a recent press event in Los Angeles, director Matt Shakman shared with Elite Daily that juggling all the different elements in this new Marvel movie was quite the challenge. Shakman talked about how tricky it was to keep everything managed with so much going on, saying:

Despite the deletion of Malkovich's Red Ghost, some fans still might wonder if a director's cut is in the cards. If you’re hoping to catch that scene in such a cut or via an individual scene release, you might want to lower your expectations. It wouldn't actually be possible for Matt Shakman and co. to release that footage and, as the filmmaker explained, there are VFX-related reasons for that:

But, fret not, because there is still the possibility that we could see Malkovich return in a future FF installment or Marvel project. When pressed, the director added:

John Malkovich’s scenes were reportedly in the movie early on, as they helped cover the first family’s superhero beginnings. This sequence shows the team of superheroes taking on the Red Ghost and his crew of Super-Apes, which might explain all the unfinished visual effects the filmmaker talked about.

Shakman's decision to cut certain scenes, such as Malkovich’s portrayal of the Red Ghost, makes a lot of sense, especially given that the filmmakers were working with a large cast. The film features Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm, Julia Garner as the Silver Surfer, and Ralph Ineson as Galactus. This extensive lineup made the filmmakers realize that including another villain would not align well with the overall story.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps opened in theaters on July 25. So be sure to check your local listings for showtimes and to see what other major new superhero movies are headed to a theater near you. Those who want more MCU action and other classic FF films can also stream those with a Disney+ subscription.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a behemoth franchise, one that's constantly producing new content in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. Harrison Ford recently joined the fun with Captain America: Brave New World, taking on the role of Thaddeus Ross from late actor William Hurt. The A-lister was recently asked if he's returning to that role in upcoming Marvel movies, and offered a one-word answer.

Captain America 4 struggled at the box office, and starred Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson as the new Cap. Fans who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order have been wondering about what's next for Ross, and in a recent interview with Variety Ford was asked if Kevin Feige has convinced him to return to the MCU. his answer was short and sweet, stating:

Talk about on brand. Ford isn't known for mincing words, so he was honest about the lack of plans for him to return to the MCU. But given the fact that the studio is currently in the midst of filming Avengers: Doomsday, perhaps it's just a matter of timing. Fingers crossed.

Ford has some big shoes to fill when he joined the MCU, but the Star Wars icon brought his signature charisma to the role. On top of playing Thaddeus Ross, he also got to hulk out as the Red Hulk for the movie's final action sequence. And yes, it was pretty epic.

The ending of Captain America: Brave New World saw Ross imprisoned in The Raft after the events of the film. But there was a silver lining, as he finally reunited with his daughter Betty (Liv Tyler). We'll just have to wait and see if/when this long-standing character reappears in the shared universe.

As a character Ross has appeared in a ton of movies across the MCU timeline, starting with 2008's The Incredible Hulk and then returning for Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, Endgame, and Black Widow. As such, Harrison Ford's possible return in the role seems pretty inevitable. There's just always a reason for the long-standing character to pop back up.

Harrison Ford's one-word response about his Marvel future is super on brand for the actor, whose interest in major franchises is always in juxtaposition to the fans. He's been fielding questions about Star Wars for decades now, and the same is likely going to happen with the MCU until the time that Ross is written off for good.

Sine Captain America 4 failed to perform critically and financially, only time will tell if a fifth movie is green lit. The MCU has had peaks and valleys since Endgame, so the pressure is on for the next Avengers movies to reset things.

The next MCU movie hitting theaters is Avengers: Doomsday on December 18th of next year as part of the 2026 movie release list. We'll have to wait and see if/when Ford pops back up again.

What we know about Avengers: Doomsday is limited, but since filming is underway that project has never felt more real. The cast of Doomsday is huge, and includes the return of of Mackie as Captain America. In an interview with ScreenRant he was asked if filming was almost done, to which he said:

While he was careful not to actually reveal any critical information, this comment from Mackie will likely help buoy excitement for Doomsday. Exactly what The Russo Brothers have up their sleeves is a total mystery, but there are entire teams of heroes that are expected to collide in the blockbuster. So who knows who Mackie's Sam Wilson gets to interact with?

The scale of this crossover eventis expected to be huge, so it makes sense that it'll take a long time to get in the can. Filming for Doomsday began back in April, and The Russo Brothers aren't filming two Avengers movies back to back this time. Instead, the first movie is getting its own shoot, followed by Secret Wars.

Later in that same interview, Anthony Mackie spoke more about what it's been like filming Doomsday in London. He offered:

While plenty of Americans likely experience a culture shock when spending time at London, I didn't expect sheep to be what stuck out to Anthony Mackie the most. Also... did he somehow expect London to NOT be very British?

As previously mentioned, there are a ton of heroes expected to appear in Doomsday... even by Avengers standards. Earth's Mightiest Heroes will be appearing alongside the Thunderbolts aka New Avengers, The Fantastic Four, and the X-Men. Exactly how this all comes together is a mystery to fans, but just about anything is possible with the multiverse at play.

Avengers: Doomsday is currently expected to arrive in theaters on December 18th of next year as part of the 2026 movie release list. We'll just have to see if any sheep manage to sneak into the movie.

A year ago, when it was announced that Robert Downey Jr. would be returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the iconic villain Doctor Doom, fans went absolutely wild. In just about a year and a half from now, we’ll get to see Avengers: Doomsday, but there are already a lot of questions about what happens next.

Avengers: Doomsday will be followed by Avengers: Secret Wars a year later, and expectations are that Downey's Doctor Doom will appear in both movies. While it seems likely that the villain will be defeated by the end of the Avengers double feature, as Thanos was before, there’s now a rumor that Robert Downey Jr. might return to the MCU for the long haul.

Could Doctor Doom Return Following Avengers: Secret Wars?

The rumor comes from serial scooper Daniel Richtman (via ComicBook.com), whose track record isn’t perfect, but has certainly been reliable on multiple occasions. According to him, conversations are currently going on regarding whether to make Doctor Doom, and by extension Robert Downey Jr., a returning character following the events of Avengers: Secret Wars.

On the one hand, Avengers movies have traditionally been used as ways to wrap up major story arcs. Of course, Loki didn’t die at the end of the original Avengers movie, so there’s no reason that Doctor Doom needs to be defeated permanently at the end of Doomsday or even Secret Wars. In fact, there’s every reason to believe that Doom could end up being beaten in the next movie (even seemingly permanently) and still return.

Avengers: Secret Wars Will Be A New Beginning For The MCU

The back-to-back Avengers movies planned mirror the way that the two parts of Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame came together. It’s less clear that the next two movies will actually be two parts of one story. In fact, it’s been specified already that Secret Wars is set to be a new beginning, rather than an ending, for the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Kevin Feige has said the movie will act as some sort of reboot of the franchise, which may result in old characters returning and even being recast. While it’s far from clear how any of this will happen from a story perspective, it certainly means there’s a door open to Doctor Doom being alive and well at the end of Avengers: Secret Wars, regardless of what happens previously.

Certainly, if Marvel Studios likes what Robert Downey Jr. is doing with Doctor Doom in the Avengers movies, it would be a shame to only have him appear a couple of times. It could also make for an interesting chapter in the MCU if Doctor Doom remains a major antagonist for the next phase, or phases, but is around from the very beginning. At this point, we know nothing about what will happen after Secret Wars except that the MCU isn’t going anywhere.

We’re only one weekend into the release of the latest 2025 movie schedule offering in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and I think we already have a new MVP to rally around. Though the Fantastic Four reboot’s cast boasts some heavy hitters, there’s a supporting player I think is stealing the show.

That’s to be expected in something like the MCU, but if I’m being totally honest, I didn’t see this Oscar-nominated performer grabbing the spotlight. No, I’m not talking about the unfortunately-deleted John Malkovich, and if you’ll follow me, I’ll tell you exactly who I have in mind.

Paul Walter Hauser’s Mole Man Is A Certified Scene Stealer

Let’s give it up for an actor I’m quite fond of, and a new member of the “5-Minute Crusher Club” - Paul Walter Hauser (pictured above in Cruella!) For the longest time, Hauser’s mysterious Fantastic Four role puzzled us all, only for it to be revealed that he was playing Harvey “Mole Man” Elder.

A legacy villain for the Fantastic Four, it appeared that he would be another villainous presence that could nurse his grudge against Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal) in a sequel-friendly manner for First Steps’ narrative. That is exactly what didn’t happen, as an attempt to steal the Pan Am Building led to Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby) negotiating for Harvey Elder to have his own piece of Earth-828 known as “Subterranea.”

Without spoilers, the Richard Jewell star is then asked back later in the narrative to help save the world - but not before making Mr. Fantastic beg him for assistance. Trust me, it's a moment that has broken every audience I've seen this movie with into laughter, and it's a feat worthy of a just reward.

Harvey Elder’s Redefined Role Deserves A Fantastic Four Spinoff

A character like that deserves a reward for not taking the easy way out. Just as Paul Walter Hauser’s character balances out Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his true purpose in this universe, some sort of project that gives us more of his attitude on display could help spruce up the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

This reformed antagonist, who has a relatable goal and a decent-enough relationship with Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn) to mock his wardrobe, never fails to get a laugh when he’s on screen. So getting into how Harvey Elder’s rejection of Reed Richards’ quest for progress actually got started is well worth the time.

Yes, we’re moving away from a time where Disney+ subscription holders are presented with projects that cash in on those MCU characters we know and love. It’s a shame that this is the case, because Paul Walter Hauser getting his own Subterranea-based series could make for a stirring dramedy.

We don’t really get to learn more about Harvey and the Moloids that dwell in this world, and any excuse to give Mr. Hauser some more screen time is a good thing. For now, I guess I’ll just have to be satisfied with what we’ve been given to work with in the current theatrical cut. Maybe The Fantastic Four’s opening weekend success will lead to a sequel where we examine Subterranea even more.

Though if you’re a Paul Walter Hauser fan who wants to see him flex those comedy muscles sooner than later, the man will be co-starring with Liam Neeson in this weekend’s The Naked Gun. So like Reed Richards volunteering for wardrobe duty at the Future Foundation’s latest fashion show, you’ll need to hang on just a little longer.

Sitting down with our sibling site GamesRadar, along with co-star/herald Julia Garner, Ineson chatted about the latest Marvel movie, and its whopper of a collectable. I loved that the result, which can be seen below, was what bit of comedic gold that has to be seen to believed:

Intergalactic beings with mythic powers and unquenchable hunger…they’re just like us! The discourse around paraphernalia produced to market blockbusters certainly has changed in light of The Fantastic Four’s popcorn buckets. Galactus is quite possibly the biggest, and most expensive piece we’ve seen hit the market - and that does pose the question of whether another picture will try to outdo those benchmarks, and is its name Avatar: Fire and Ash?

It’s also kind of adorable to hear Ralph Ineson’s oaken voice repeatedly point out how he wishes that the actual item on shelves had his likeness depicted. Which is something I think we’d all be questioning, if we were playing a character worthy of such treatment.

$80 is still a pretty big price tag for something you may or may not display on your shelf after the movie. Julia Garner's disbelief in the economic side of things could sum up a lot of people's feelings on this matter, especially Ineson himself.

In another touch of relatability, the frequent Robert Eggers collaborator shared these thoughts on his mammoth movie memento - starting with who he thought would be the prime demographic for such a purchase:

You really have to wonder if the Ralph Ineson/Nicholas Hoult text thread about who the bigger comic movie villain is has been stoked up again, in light of this knowledge. Not to take sides or anything, but it’d be another point in Mr. Ineson’s corner, thanks to the fact that at the time of this writing there is no Lex Luthor/LuthorCorp popcorn bucket to speak of.

Perhaps that can be addressed in a potential sequel, with The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ hypothetical follow-up giving that theoretical DC flick some competition in the near future. For now, the MCU’s Phase 6 kickoff is soaring high in theaters everywhere, while other Marvel films can be streamed with a Disney+ subscription. However, fans may need to go on a bit of a hunt if you’re trying to grab one of those Galactus popcorn buckets. Apparently even devourers of worlds can be stymied by the magic words, “While Supplies Last.”

Given how much attention is on the Richards & Co, I thought I would revisit director Tim Story’s Fantastic Four for the first time since I was about 12 years old, and I can certainly say that I liked the movie a whole lot better back then. However, there was one thing about the widely maligned superhero flick that I actually appreciated and genuinely admired far more this time around. Allow me to explain…

I Found Ben Grimm's Storyline Absorbing

Regarding my own history with the Fantastic Four, I have always felt that the heart and soul of the close-knit quartet is Ben Grimm, who becomes better known as The Thing for his astonishing stature and rocky complexion. I have to believe the makers of the 2005 iteration agree with that assessment, which is why its depiction of the Jewish Marvel superhero is, much like the character’s role on the team, its strongest element.

I don't quite understand why Ben’s transformation takes so long to occur – perhaps because the director wanted to see the other three discover their powers through jokes and showing off his orange, rock skin that soon would have robbed them of that oh-so-hilarious opportunity. However, the moment when Michael Chiklis' The Thing is revealed is thankfully not played for laughs, with Ben coming clean about his new look to his wife Debra (Laurie Holden), who immediately rushes off in fear before ultimately ending the marriage. The heartbreaking scene is the first instance of the film’s surprisingly effective and heartfelt handling of the tragic circumstances of his affliction.

Michael Chiklis Gets A Lot Of Credit

Much like how I believe Ben Grimm is the heart and soul of the Fantastic Four, I believe the actor who plays him, Michael Chiklis, is the heart and soul of the 2005 movie. You know who agrees with that? The Fantastic Four’s co-creator Stan Lee, who said in a making-of featurette that he could not imagine anyone else doing a better job in the role than the actor, who recently extended his blessing to the Fantastic Four: First Steps cast.

In the same behind-the-scenes clip, the Emmy-winning star of FX’s The Shield also reveals that The Thing was his favorite comic book character growing up, but he honestly did not have to vocalize that. It is clear how much he cares for Ben and how important nailing his portrayal was to him in every second of his impassioned performance that helps you see the man beneath the monster.

Portraying The Thing With Practical Effects Was The Right Call

On that note, I think one key element to the quality of this iteration of The Thing is knowing that there actually is a man beneath the monster. Performance capture had existed at this point and was used effectively in films like the Lord of the Rings movies, most notably, but 2005’s Fantastic Four opted for the old school method of putting Michael Chiklis in a full-body prosthetic suit and mask, which was put up for sale in 2020.

Speaking as a strong supporter of modern movies that use practical effects, I think that this was the right call. Now, that is not meant to be a dig on CGI, which is actually pretty decent in Fantastic Four for a mid-2000s flick. I simply believe that making The Thing’s "rock" skin actually real makes Chiklis’ portrayal feel more tangible and, thus, more believable and empathetic. Plus, at least his rock skin suit looks more authentic than in the unreleased The Fantastic Four from 1994.

As far as I am concerned, 2005’s Fantastic Four is really a movie about The Thing, which I consider to be the reason it is worth it to stream Fantastic Four on Disney+ (even though I would not say the same about 2007’s Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer). My only hope now is that Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s performance as Ben Grimm in director Matt Shakman’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps proves him to be a worthy successor to Michael Chiklis.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is always expanding, both in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. After being one of the most hotly anticipated upcoming Marvel movies, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is finally in theaters. The quartet of heroes was confirmed for the cast of Avengers: Doomsday, and Vanessa Kirby shared what it's been like working with the great Robert Downey Jr..

News of Robert Downey Jr.'s return to the MCU broke the internet, especially because he'll be going from hero to villain as Doctor Doom. That character was teased in the First Steps mid-credits scene, where Sue Storm sees her son Franklin with what looks to be the back of Doom. The sequence was filmed in the midst of production for Doomsday, and in an interview with Variety Kirby was asked if RDJ was really the one she was acting opposite on set. She said:

How sweet is that? While fans are hyped to see the Oscar-winning actor back in the MCU, it sounds like that feeling extends to the cast as well. Clearly folks like Vanessa Kirby, who are relatively new to the shared universe, are looking up to the OG hero as he turns to the dark side for the next two Avengers movies.

The Mission: Impossible actress' comment are likely going to be touching for moviegoers, especially those of us who have spent years watching the Marvel movies in order. The shared universe has made plenty of changes during this time, but throughout it all fans have adored Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark. And I can't wait to see what's going to happen when he gets into his villain era.

Later in the same interview, Kirby spoke more about what it's been like filming The Russo Brothers' pair of blockbusters. What we know about Avengers: Doomsday is limited, but the hype is very real. She offered:

I mean, same. Suddenly the wait for December of 2026 is feeling much longer, because Robert Downey Jr. is seemingly bringing it on set. I have to wonder how much the love around his return to the MCU is going to influence the upcoming movie's box office performance. There have been some peaks and valleys in that department in recent years, although First Steps is making money in theaters.

Doctor Doom is known as a Fantastic Four villain, so I have to assume that Vanessa Kirby and company will share plenty of scenes with RDJ in Doomsday and Secret Wars. That's looking especially possible after that credits scene.

The new 2025 movie The Fantastic Four: First Steps is now in theaters, and Avengers: Doomsday will follow suit on December 18th 2026. Now bring on Doctor Doom!

At long last, Marvel’s First Family has finally made its debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe now that The Fantastic Four: First Steps has come out on the 2025 movie schedule. Going into Matt Shakman’s return to the MCU after helming 2021’s WandaVision, I had a feeling we’d be seeing some outrageous comic book action, a fresh and unique visual style, and Galactus trying to do what he does best: eat planets. However, I didn’t expect this to be a remarkable conversation on parenting.

There’s a lot that the movie gets right about parenting and how having a kid fundamentally changes you, and that’s especially true when it comes to Reed Richards’ journey from scientist and superhero to neurotic father. Let me explain…

The Fantastic Four: First Steps Perfectly Captures How Becoming A Parent Fundamentally Changes The Way You Think

Similar to how Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm went through a massive physical transformation after being subjected to cosmic rays during a space mission, Sue's giving birth to Franklin radically changed the mental and emotional structure of the core characters’ brains.

Even before Franklin is born and the Fantastic Four learn the real reason Galactus wants the unborn baby, Reed becomes obsessed with learning everything he can about his child. Will he be healthy? Will he have damage from his parents’ changed genetic makeup? What will become of him? It’s natural for parents (both before and after birth) to have these thoughts, and it was incredibly powerful to see this explored in a big-budget summer blockbuster of this scale.

The Parenting Aspect Made Reed Richards' Arc One Of The Most Fulfilling In The MCU

For years, in comics, cartoons, and Marvel movies (at least those outside of the MCU), Reed Richards has always been presented as one of the smartest superheroes of all time. Hell, his nickname is Mister Fantastic. However, in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Reed has a problem that he struggles to solve: parenthood. While Sue Storm, being the nurturing and wise mother and superhero she is, seems to have it figured out fairly quickly, her husband takes a tremendous amount of time on this journey, which is all too accurate.

This arc of him going from someone who has always used his brain to figure out a solution to a problem to someone who has to use his heart to save the day is incredible and is one of the most fulfilling in the MCU. Yeah, he does use that fantastic brain of his to help defeat Galactus, but it’s that fundamental shift in his way of thinking that brings him there.

Also, The Car Seat Gag At The End Is Way Too Accurate

Just before the Fantastic Four: First Steps ending, the movie gives us one of the funniest and most accurate gags in the entire MCU when Reed, Ben, and Johnny try to properly install Franklin’s car seat in the Fantasticar. I have three kids and have installed car seats more times than I care to remember, but I still messed it up all the time when they were younger. Thank heavens I just have one kid in a booster seat now.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps, with its great action, visual style, and lessons about parenting, is a fun theatrical experience. I still haven’t decided where it stands on the list of best MCU movies at this time, but it was a movie I won’t soon forget.

I’m the kind of person who really loves new ideas and stories, so revisiting old ones never really sat right with me. However, I want to get into the why in this article, so let’s dive deep.

It Has Been Hard To Adjust, But I've Been Liking The New Heroes

If you’re wondering what the quote was, Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige spoke to Variety in July 2025 and said that eventually, they would “recast” characters like Tony Stark and Captain America. He compared it to other major franchises that recast roles as time goes on, like James Bond and Superman.

Recasting characters, in and of itself, is fine. I’m not going to be the person who gets up on her soapbox and says that we can’t recast characters at all. I know how the world works, and I’m not about to get cancelled for that.

But it’s the messaging behind it as well as what we’ve already established in this world. I’m not going to lie – it was hard to adjust to all the new heroes that we were given over the last couple of years, ever since Avengers: Endgame. There have been numerous changes in structure, as well as speculation about who will become the next big villain and who won’t. I have to admit, now that I’m here, I love the new heroes.

Thunderbolts* depicted depression so wonderfully and was one of the best MCU films in a long time, featuring some incredible acting and storytelling from several new and returning characters who played much larger roles within the MCU. I also love that older characters have gotten more chances to shine. I’m the biggest supporter of Wanda having her time in the sun and all of those kick-butt Scarlet Witch instances.

But when it comes to recasting those old heroes – the ones that we’ve grown so used to – it doesn’t feel great, I’ll tell you that.

Recasting The Old Heroes Within This MCU Feels Like A Huge Step Back

As I said in the section above, I’m not opposed to recasting overall. I don’t mind it if it’s done with intention, and it isn’t just an excuse to make more money off of a new character. We’ve had three different recasts of Spider-Man at this point, and everyone still debates who the best Spider-Man is. This is essentially how Hollywood works.

However, the issue I have with this kind of recasting is that it creates a singular universe. Sure, we have been made aware that there are millions of variants of the same character. We saw that at length, when it came to Loki. But at the same time, it feels like a stab in the back to recast a character when their stories have already come to an end.

This feels worse than bringing back Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom. It feels like it somehow tarnishes the legacy of Tony Stark. The story of his character was complete, and honestly, we don’t need to see his character recast again in this same universe for us to love him still. He is, and will always be, Tony Stark.

So, the idea of recasting him – even if it is a long time away – feels like a slap in the face to those who not only love his interpretation of the character but also the story of him as a whole, with the movies we’ve watched. The same goes for Steve, Natasha, Thor – everyone.

How Are We Going to Explore New Characters and Stories If We're Revisiting the Same Ones?

This is something else that worries me. Do you know how many heroes are in the Marvel line-up? There are a ridiculous number. Hundreds, if not thousands. How are we going to explore new heroes if we keep looking at the ones everyone knows? How are we going to build new fan bases if we continue to focus on the characters that Marvel insists we do?

Let me tell you – I knew next to nothing about Ironheart, otherwise known as Riri Williams. I didn’t know who she was or what she stood for. But you want to know what turned me onto her? The Ironheart TV show was great. Now, I have a new favorite character. Would I have been able to experience that if the show had been featured around Tony? No, because it would have been the same character that we all already know.

Recasting characters takes away the chance to introduce new ones to the world. And in the world of Marvel, there are so many we could get into. Another character I ended up loving more this time around was Yelena, played by Florence Pugh. She’s become one of my favorites, but she didn’t appear until after Avengers: Endgame. If she had been around the same time as Natasha, she probably would have been overshadowed.

I want these characters to survive on their own, not to become just sidekicks to recast characters that we all already know.

What Does This Mean For The Multiverse? Is It Just Going To Forever Expand?

And this is the biggest thing – if we’re recasting characters within this MCU, what does that mean for the Marvel Multiverse as a whole? Are we recasting them as if they were variants from another planet, and that’s how they’re infused back into the story? Or are we just not bothering with that anymore and just throwing them right back into the ringer in order to take on the next big baddie?

I don’t know. To me, it sounds like this universe really is just never going to stop expanding, and now Marvel Studios might just be using this as an excuse to bring back these characters. That’s where this really suffers.

The only way to truly make this work is if they completely redo the entire universe. Start from the very beginning because then, there will be that exact distinction of who plays who and what universe we are in. If not, all of this sounds like a confusing mess.

Things like this really make me wonder what Marvel will do in the future. I’ve been an avid Marvel supporter over the last few years, particularly with some of their releases, from a personal favorite of mine, Agatha: All Along, to their latest release, The Fantastic Four: First Steps. But recasting these characters might be where I draw the line.

Only time will tell. I’m sure we’ll see more in the next Avengers film. Until then, I’ll enjoy my marathons of the Marvel movies in order and live in the good old days of simple movies and fewer multiverses.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is already shaping up to be one of the most exciting projects on the 2025 movie release schedule. Not only does it have a cool, retro-futuristic 1960’s setting and a new vision, but the FF cast is also filled with talented stars. One of those cast members is Natasha Lyonne, whose mysterious role was a major point of discussion amongst fans. Now, Lyonne is not only talking about her character but her interactions with The Thing as well -- and she has a very on-brand take that I love.

Natasha Lyonne recently spoke with Entertainment Weekly while promoting her new animated film, The Bad Guys 2. The fan-favorite actress specifically chatted about what it was like working on Fantastic Four, and getting to play a potential love interest for one of the central characters. In true Lyonne-fashion, she admitted that flirting was something she relished while working on the film, especially with Ebon Moss-Bachrach, who plays The Thing, a.k.a Ben Grimm. When humorously describing it, Lyonne said the following:

For context, Lyonne plays Rachel Rozman, a school teacher who meets The Thing while he is playing with one of her students. While shy and afraid of rejection due to his appearance, The Thing retreats until he ultimately decides to seek her out at the end of the film. The two characters have great chemistry, even with Moss-Bacharach fully CGI-ed as The Thing. Given that the two actors have a friendly past, I can understand why they had such great energy.

The Poker Face star is never one to mince words, and I love that she just used "kinky" to describe the situation. However, she also had some serious compliments for her scene partner:

I’d love to know more about the past between these two stars. Lyonne says they have known each other for a long time, but they have never crossed paths professionally before The Fantastic Four: First Steps. They did both appear on the HBO series, Girls, with Lyonne guest starring for one episode and Moss-Bachrach having an arc as one of the prominent love interests on the show. I find it Marvelous (sorry) that they were finally able to work together by way of Fantastic Four, though.

Lyonne also joked that while her character and The Thing are sending some serious romantic vibes by the end of the latest Fantastic Four film, Rachel Rozman is still a single gal, and exploring relationships with all sorts of “rocky” partners:

I love that Natasha Lyonne is so into this project and had such a great time working with Moss-Bachrach. While she may have a small part in the film, Lyonne leaves her mark, making Rachel a grounding element within the film. I’m rooting for these two lovebirds, and I hope we can see this relationship blossom in future MCU installments. Right now, there’s no word on a First Steps sequel.

However, I’m crossing my fingers that Lyonne and this romance returns in Avengers: Doomsday, because I never get tired of seeing her on screen -- and want to see her work more with Moss-Bachrach.

You can see Natasha Lyonne in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which is currently playing in theaters nationwide. Also, stream other MCU films on Disney+. On top of that, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for news on upcoming Marvel movies as well.

Over the years, there have been countless tributes to the late Stan Lee, the man responsible for most of our favorite Marvel superheroes. From dozens of cameos to various other callbacks to the iconic comic book figure, spotting these little Easter eggs became a cherished task for moviegoers. However, the same can’t be said for other Marvel pioneers, who are not as well known as Lee.

Well, that changed with The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which features an incredible tribute to comic book legend Jack Kirby. After checking out the new superhero movie on the 2025 release schedule, I have to admit that how director Matt Shakman and company honored Kirby is outstanding.

Jack Kirby Created The Fantastic Four (And Other Marvel Characters) Alongside Stan Lee

Before we get into the tremendous way in which The Fantastic Four: First Steps honors Jack Kirby, let’s go over a little background first. If you look at Kirby’s creator page on Marvel’s official website, you’ll see that he co-created not only The Fantastic Four but also other iconic Marvel heroes like Hulk, Thor, and the X-Men, to name a few. From his days at Timely Comics (which later became Marvel) to being known as one of the premier artists in the comic world, Kirby did a little bit of everything.

How The Fantastic Four: First Steps Honors Jack Kirby

While there have been tributes to Jack Kirby over the years, with everything from the Thor: Ragnarok logo being in honor of him or Ant-Man featuring a cool reference to him, The Fantastic Four: First Steps took things to the next level when celebrating the late Marvel artist.

Unlike the vast majority of the best Marvel movies, the latest feature film takes place in a different universe, Earth 828, which looks vastly different than anything else on the MCU timeline. However, the 828 universe name isn’t just some random number; instead, it’s a tribute to Jack Kirby, whose birthday was August 28, 1917. How is this revealed, you may ask? Well, in a quote from the man himself in the end credits:

Following the quote is Kirby’s birthdate, which fades into 828, the location of the movie. When it comes to unique and really neat ways to honor someone, this is in a league of its own.

After Countless Stan Lee Tributes Over The Years, It Was Incredible Seeing Jack Kirby Honored

There is something so powerful about Jack Kirby being honored in this way. Not only does the movie have a little Easter egg paying homage to him and his legacy, but The Fantastic Four: First Steps literally takes place in a universe paying tribute to him. That’s huge! After years of Stan Lee tributes, which are great, this just hit really hard.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is currently showing in theaters, where this tribute and all sorts of other Easter eggs can be spotted.

Ryan Reynolds took to his Instagram stories to share an incredible BTS image of the wonderful actors and actresses who made up the many cameos in Deadpool 3. The picture, which you can see below, includes Hugh Jackman, Channing Tatum, Wesley Snipes, Jennifer Garner, Dafne Keen (who are all in full costume) and of course, the film's director, Shawn Levy. Check it out:

It's wild to think it's already been a year since Wade Wilson and Logan hit theaters and broke the box office, especially after all the time it took for a third Deadpool movie to be produced by Marvel Studios. When Disney acquired 20th Century Fox and all its properties, it finally paved the way for Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool to join the fun. However, it still took years before fans got to see Deady-Pool and Wolvie on screen together and, when it finally happened, it became a major success.

Deadpool 3 also provides a great send-off to all the 21st Century Fox-developed Marvel characters who never got a chance to take their last bows, or got their chance at all, like Channing Tatum’s Gambit. The Step Up star had been hired by Fox nearly a decade before his cameo in the superhero threequel but never even got a chance to make it into production, despite all the buzz surrounding him over the years.

Let’s talk about how amazing it is that a series, kicked off in such a weird way, has gone on to have such a wonderful legacy. It all started with Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman doing their thing in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, which was panned by most and ranked amongst the worst of the X-Men movies. Then there was the leaked test footage of Deadpool, the origin of which remains unknown, not even to Kevin Feige. Now, ten years later, all three Deadpool movies have been hits with critics and audiences alike. The latest one is the top earner of the bunch, raking in over $1.3 billion worldwide amid its theatrical run in 2024.

Prior to its release, Deadpool & Wolverine was one of the most hottly anticipated upcoming Marvel movies destined for theaters. Now, a year out from its release, it remains one of the better Marvel Cinematic Universe entries amid the Multiverse Saga. Also, based on Ryan Reynolds' behind-the-scenes pic, it seems the fun wasn’t just on the screen, but was on set as well.

All three Deadpool movies are now streaming on Disney+, and the newest MCU flick, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, is now playing and is one of the biggest titles on the 2025 movie schedule.