7 Ways Marvel Studios Can Bring The FANTASTIC FOUR And X-MEN Into The Marvel Cinematic Universe

Fantastic Four may have just lost its director, but the movie is still on the horizon, and we have some theories for how both Marvel's First Family and the X-Men can be brought into the MCU very soon...

By JoshWilding - Apr 30, 2022 11:04 AM EST

Filed Under: Fantastic Four

It's not something any of us ever expected to happen, but the Disney/Fox deal opened the door to the X-Men and Fantastic Four finally joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The introduction of those characters promises to massively expand this shared world, with a nearly endless list of heroes and villains now in Kevin Feige's hands along with familiar faces like Thor, Doctor Strange, and Captain Marvel. Jon Watts has walked away from the Fantastic Four reboot, but the hunt for a new director has begun, and there are said to be big plans for a new X-Men film as well.

The question on everyone's lips right now is how Marvel can go about introducing mutants and Marvel's First Family over a decade into the MCU's existence.

Luckily for you, we have some compelling theories we're sure you'll have fun checking out! To take a look, all you guys need to do is click on the "Next" button down below.

7. Krakoa Hideout

After all those Fox films featuring the X-Men, the idea of watching Professor X use Cerebro or the team emerging from beneath their basketball court in the Blackbird just feels redundant.

As bad as the franchise often was in Fox's hands, the studio hit many of the expected beats fans wanted, so Marvel Studios will have no choice but to shake things up in an eventual reboot.

In recent comics, mutants have established a nation on the sentient island of Krakoa, using portals to travel across the globe. Charles Xavier, meanwhile, has found a way for the Children of the Atom to cheat death. Like Wonder Woman hiding out on Themyscira with her fellow Amazons, this would explain why mutants have been M.I.A. up until this point.

Some, like Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch, would've slipped through the cracks, but Charles Xavier having an army at his disposal would explain why mutants are feared and hated upon their emergence.

6. The Swingin' Sixties

As much as we all no doubt want to see the Fantastic Four interacting with heroes like Spider-Man and Captain America, what if their story takes place years before the Avengers assembled?

It wouldn't be the first time studio bosses have considered setting a big screen adventure featuring this team in the decade they were created, and it would certainly help the franchise stand apart from what's happening in the present day. This reboot could put a fun spin on the 1960s, with the heroes wearing their classic costumes and battling the likes of Mole Man and Annihilus.

If Kevin Feige is really looking to make some bold creative decisions, they could defeat Galactus in the past, only for the villain to return to Earth decades later where he battles a new Fantastic Four led by Franklin and Valeria Richards.

It'd be cool, but might upset some purists.

5. The Snap

Any one of the Snaps could be used to explain the emergence of mutants, but it feels too obvious and a little forced. Sure, the Infinity Stones could activate the X-Gene, but that leads to a whole host of possible plot holes (key characters like Professor X and Magneto would need to be much younger).

For the Fantastic Four, however, this would work fantastically... yes, we're sticking with that pun!

In the comics, Reed, Sue, Johnny, and Ben steal a spaceship for a test flight, but end up being bombarded by "cosmic rays" which give the team their powers. In the MCU, that storm could be the result of the power of the Infinity Stones being unleashed.

This would immediately give the Fantastic Four a link to the wider MCU.

4. Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness

Our gut is telling us to temper expectations for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and we're certainly not anticipating a Flashpoint-style event that sees this movie end with the X-Men and Fantastic Four suddenly part of the MCU.

However, with Sir Patrick Stewart obviously set to play a Professor X Variant, the door is open to the existence of mutants finally being confirmed in this world. It could be as simple as Charles recognising Wanda Maximoff for what she truly is, setting the stage for the reveal down the line that mutants have been living among the denizens of the MCU this entire time.

If the rumours are true and Mister Fantastic is also part of the Illuminati, then it seems Marvel Studios will reintroduce key members of both the Fantastic Four and X-Men as Variants. This will probably be the last time we see them, but it at least prepares fans for their MCU counterparts to debut.

Just don't expect them to necessarily look anything like what we see here...

3. Trapped Inside The Quantum Realm

Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania is quite clearly going to revisit the Quantum Realm, but what if it's known by another name...oh, we don't know, how about the Negative Zone?

A frequent haunt of the Fantastic Four's, and the home of the evil Annihilus, it's possible the team really did first assemble in the 1960s, only to become trapped there and emerge decades later (without having aged a day). With Kang the Conqueror part of Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania, it could be Peyton Reed who gets to introduce this team of heroes.

He's a well-known fan of Marvel's First Family, and Kang has some big ties to them.

He nailed bringing Luke Skywalker back in The Mandalorian, so we would definitely have faith in Peyton Reed being the one to hit the reset button on this foursome.

2. Deadpool Vs. The MCU

Of course we haven't forgotten about Deadpool!

If you're into comics, you're probably familiar with the Deadpool Kills The Marvel Universe stories which take place in a different reality and follow Wade Wilson as he's tasked with taking out the world's greatest heroes.

A film like this could be set in a standalone, R-Rated MCU which does away with any need for lengthy explanations and just has fun inserting the anti-hero into a world where he can interact with familiar faces we never expected he would get the chance to meet (it's a perfect premise for the now confirmed Deadpool 3)

This would mean present-day stories would be lacking Deadpool, but a rebooted version with a new actor could show up eventually, and a story like this means Reynolds' tenure can continue without it affecting plans for a full X-Men reboot.

1. Galactus In Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3

In Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Star-Lord his crew crossing paths with Silver Surfer could be a cool way to confirm that Galactus has awakened and is heading for Earth.

That would likely be because he sensed the power of the Infinity Stones, and while it will be the Fantastic Four who are pivotal in stopping the villain, a tease like this would serve as a perfect way to bring two iconic characters into this shared world and lay the groundwork for Reed and his team to have to step up and take on the MCU's biggest threat yet.

This tease could also take place in a film like Thor: Love and Thunder.

Setting Galactus up as the MCU's next Thanos is a logical next step, and a refreshing change of pace from Doctor Doom.

THE FANTASTIC FOUR Rumored To Introduce Norrin Radd Alongside Julia Garner's Silver Surfer

Recommended For You:

THE FANTASTIC FOUR Star Joseph Quinn On Following Chris Evans; Calls It A "Very Different" Marvel Movie

DISCLAIMER: ComicBookMovie.com is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and... [MORE]

ComicBookMovie.com, and/or the user who contributed this post, may earn commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-party links contained within the content above.

Do you have what it takes to write for us?

Want to contribute?

14 Comments

IcePyke - 4/30/2022, 11:13 AM

WruceBayne - 4/30/2022, 11:15 AM

“A change of pace from Doctor Doom”!? Did I miss something? OH MY GAWD was I snapped!?

Repian - 4/30/2022, 11:30 AM

A genetic study focused on Ursa Major, Wanda and others reveals a common gene. The X-gene or X-factor.

Moira Mactaggert may discover the X-gene.

MartianManHuntr - 4/30/2022, 11:57 AM

This should be done through Wanda. Just reverse no more mutant. Or bring it through high evolutionary.

Off topic: Disney all but confirms that it has no plans to develop a second season of both Hawkeye and Moon Knight.

https://www.cbr.com/hawkeye-moon-knight-season-2-in-doubt-marvel/

https://variety.com/2022/streaming/news/moon-knight-ratings-disney-plus-nielsen-streaming-top-10-1235242730/

GhostDog - 4/30/2022, 11:58 AM

The SEVENTIETH TIME this article has been posted

Forthas - 4/30/2022, 12:03 PM

I think the best way to introduce the Mutants is to have them living in a fictional community of Genosha that was created and hidden by Jean Grey when she transformed into the Pheonix force in Dark Pheonix to protect them. Even still there were new mutants that emerged outside of Genosha and Hydra found two of them, Wanda and Quicksilver. Wanda will undo what the Pheonix did and most of the cast of the xmen from Fox will resume their roles.

Webster614 - 5/12/2022, 2:22 PM

@Forthas - I liked everything you said until you said "xmen from Fox will resume their roles". Let's pass on that part.

Spike101 - 4/30/2022, 12:49 PM

Not 10, not 5 but 7 ways this time… nice 😊

inkniron - 4/30/2022, 1:10 PM

For the Fantastic Four, however, this would work fantastically... yes, we're sticking with that pun!

Damn, someone failed Creative Writing 101.

how about, "For the First Family, however, this would work fantastically"?

bkmeijer1 - 4/30/2022, 2:34 PM

I can see Reed and co try to explore the Quantum Realm after they heard Hank & Janet and Stark managed to do (with limited success). If somebody is gonna make it work fulltime, it's probably Reed.

But whatever they do, I trust Marvel to do the right thing. I'm not gonna tell them what works and what doesn't (I only do that with WB and Sony)

marvel72 - 4/30/2022, 2:49 PM

Fantastic Four just make a movie with comic book origin,four adventurers go into space get hit cosmic rays become fantastic four.

Corruptor - 4/30/2022, 3:04 PM

Honestly, few general audience people will care "where they have been since 2008", the kids who weren't even born when Iron Man I came out just want an exciting movie. Not sure if it's worth spending time going through origin story yet again, just touch on it in flashbacks or have it mentioned by other characters by way of an introduction.
I'd go for an Avengers vs X-Men type event, to cement them very firmly at the heart of the MCU straight away and not seem like they're off at the edge of things like Eternals. So it's an Avengers movie (HUGE!) with the X-Men (or FF) in it (even HUGER!)
Plus, recast Stark and Rogers if necessary for it as well. Again the little kids don't care about actors, someone who was 12 when Endgame came out will be an adult before this comes out, different generation.

Related Headlines

Fantastic Four

THE FANTASTIC FOUR Rumored To Introduce Norrin Radd Alongside Julia Garner's Silver Surfer

MarkCassidy

9 hours ago

Fantastic Four

THE FANTASTIC FOUR Star Joseph Quinn On Following Chris Evans; Calls It A "Very Different" Marvel Movie

JoshWilding

20 hours ago

Fantastic Four

THE FANTASTIC FOUR: 4 Things You Need To Know About Marvel Studios Rumored New Take On Galactus

JoshWilding

6 days ago

Related Headlines

Fantastic Four

THE FANTASTIC FOUR Rumored To Introduce Norrin Radd Alongside Julia Garner's Silver Surfer

MarkCassidy

9 hours ago

Fantastic Four

THE FANTASTIC FOUR Star Joseph Quinn On Following Chris Evans; Calls It A "Very Different" Marvel Movie

JoshWilding

20 hours ago

Fantastic Four

THE FANTASTIC FOUR: 4 Things You Need To Know About Marvel Studios Rumored New Take On Galactus

JoshWilding

6 days ago

Fantastic Four

THE FANTASTIC FOUR: Marvel Studios May Have Some VERY Unique Plans For Galactus - Possible SPOILERS

JoshWilding

Apr 09, 2024 03:04 PM

Fantastic Four

THE FANTASTIC FOUR Star Joseph Quinn On Johnny Storm Preparation: "I'll Be Setting Myself On Fire Every Day"

MarkCassidy

Apr 06, 2024 01:04 PM

Fantastic Four

Sci-Fi

Steven Spielberg's Next Project Will Reportedly Be A UFO Movie Based On His Own Original Idea

MarkCassidy

1 hour ago

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE Star Kevin Durand Reveals Plans For The Blob In Scrapped Sequel

JoshWilding

1 hour ago

Latest Headlines

Sci-Fi

REBEL MOON R-Rated Director's Cut Will Include A Graphic Alien Sex Scene

MarkCassidy

25 mins ago

Sci-Fi

Steven Spielberg's Next Project Will Reportedly Be A UFO Movie Based On His Own Original Idea

MarkCassidy

1 hour ago

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE Star Kevin Durand Reveals Plans For The Blob In Scrapped Sequel

JoshWilding

1 hour ago

Justice League

JUSTICE LEAGUE Director Zack Snyder Says He's "Pretty Excited" About James Gunn's DCU Plans

JoshWilding

1 hour ago

Marvel Comics

ULTIMATES Trailer Gives Earth's Mightiest Heroes Only Two Years To Fix Their Broken Universe

JoshWilding

3 hours ago

Doctor Who

DOCTOR WHO Showrunner Russell T Davies Talks Bigger Marvel-Like Budget And "Timeless Child" Inspiration

JoshWilding

3 hours ago

Hot Headlines

163 comments

SUPERMAN: James Gunn's DCU Reboot Finds Its Martha "Ma" Kent

MarkCassidy

16 hours ago EST

133 comments

Hollywood Producer Slams MADAME WEB Star Sydney Sweeney: "She's Not Pretty, She Can't Act"

MarkCassidy

20 hours ago EST

131 comments

REACHER Star Alan Ritchson Won't Star In "Marvel Movies Regurgitating Stories We've Seen A Thousand Times"

JoshWilding

1 day ago EST

90 comments

James Gunn’s SUPERMAN Casts Pruitt Taylor Vince To Play Pa Kent In The DCU's Inaugural Film

MarkJulian

1 day ago EST

87 comments

More Sci-Fi & Fantasy ►

X-MEN '97 Creative Express Interest In Bringing An X-MEN Animated Movie To Theaters

More Cartoons & Animated ►

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: SPLINTERED FATE Headed To Nintendo Switch This July

More Anime & Manga ►

IMMACULATE Star Sydney Sweeney Has Been Slammed By A Hollywood Producer: She's Not Pretty, She Can't Act

More Horror ►

JAMES BOND: Henry Cavill Isn't Closing The Door On Playing 007; Maybe I'm Too Old Now. Maybe I'm Not...

More Action Movies & TV ►

Kurt Angle Reflects On What Went Wrong During Final WWE Run: Fans Could Tell I Was Not The Same Wrestler

More Pro Wrestling ►

REBEL MOON Director Zack Snyder Suggests He Has A Six-Movie Plan For Netflix's Sci-Fi Franchise

More Sci-Fi & Fantasy ►

More Cartoons & Animated ►

More Anime & Manga ►

More Horror ►

More Action Movies & TV ►

More Pro Wrestling ►

7 Ways Marvel Studios Can Bring The FANTASTIC FOUR And X-MEN Into The Marvel Cinematic Universe

Fantastic Four may have just lost its director, but the movie is still on the horizon, and we have some theories for how both Marvel's First Family and the X-Men can be brought into the MCU very soon...

7. Krakoa Hideout

6. The Swingin' Sixties

5. The Snap

4. Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness

3. Trapped Inside The Quantum Realm

2. Deadpool Vs. The MCU

1. Galactus In Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3

THE FANTASTIC FOUR Rumored To Introduce Norrin Radd Alongside Julia Garner's Silver Surfer

THE FANTASTIC FOUR Star Joseph Quinn On Following Chris Evans; Calls It A "Very Different" Marvel Movie

THE FANTASTIC FOUR Rumored To Introduce Norrin Radd Alongside Julia Garner's Silver Surfer

THE FANTASTIC FOUR Star Joseph Quinn On Following Chris Evans; Calls It A "Very Different" Marvel Movie

THE FANTASTIC FOUR: 4 Things You Need To Know About Marvel Studios Rumored New Take On Galactus

THE FANTASTIC FOUR Rumored To Introduce Norrin Radd Alongside Julia Garner's Silver Surfer

THE FANTASTIC FOUR Star Joseph Quinn On Following Chris Evans; Calls It A "Very Different" Marvel Movie

THE FANTASTIC FOUR: 4 Things You Need To Know About Marvel Studios Rumored New Take On Galactus

THE FANTASTIC FOUR: Marvel Studios May Have Some VERY Unique Plans For Galactus - Possible SPOILERS

THE FANTASTIC FOUR Star Joseph Quinn On Johnny Storm Preparation: "I'll Be Setting Myself On Fire Every Day"

THE FANTASTIC FOUR: Rumored Details On Alternate Universe Setting & Franklin Richards' Surprising Introduction

Popular Headlines

SUPERMAN: James Gunn's DCU Reboot Finds Its Martha "Ma" Kent

Hollywood Producer Slams MADAME WEB Star Sydney Sweeney: "She's Not Pretty, She Can't Act"

MCU Rumor Roundup: Sydney Sweeney Joins The MCU, Thanos' Return, THE FANTASTIC FOUR's Setting, And More

JUSTICE LEAGUE Star Henry Cavill Takes A Shot At His Superman Return In BLACK ADAM's Post-Credits Scene

SPIDER-MAN Swings To Impressive Box Office Haul For Re-Release As Crowd Reaction To Final Swing Goes Viral

REBEL MOON R-Rated Director's Cut Will Include A Graphic Alien Sex Scene

Steven Spielberg's Next Project Will Reportedly Be A UFO Movie Based On His Own Original Idea

X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE Star Kevin Durand Reveals Plans For The Blob In Scrapped Sequel

REBEL MOON R-Rated Director's Cut Will Include A Graphic Alien Sex Scene

Steven Spielberg's Next Project Will Reportedly Be A UFO Movie Based On His Own Original Idea

X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE Star Kevin Durand Reveals Plans For The Blob In Scrapped Sequel

JUSTICE LEAGUE Director Zack Snyder Says He's "Pretty Excited" About James Gunn's DCU Plans

ULTIMATES Trailer Gives Earth's Mightiest Heroes Only Two Years To Fix Their Broken Universe

DOCTOR WHO Showrunner Russell T Davies Talks Bigger Marvel-Like Budget And "Timeless Child" Inspiration

Hot Headlines

SUPERMAN: James Gunn's DCU Reboot Finds Its Martha "Ma" Kent

Hollywood Producer Slams MADAME WEB Star Sydney Sweeney: "She's Not Pretty, She Can't Act"

REACHER Star Alan Ritchson Won't Star In "Marvel Movies Regurgitating Stories We've Seen A Thousand Times"

James Gunn’s SUPERMAN Casts Pruitt Taylor Vince To Play Pa Kent In The DCU's Inaugural Film

ANT-MAN: Michael Douglas Pushed For Hank Pym's Death In QUANTUMANIA; Suggests He's Now Done With The Role

Sci-Fi & Fantasy

REBEL MOON Director Zack Snyder Suggests He Has A Six-Movie Plan For Netflix's Sci-Fi Franchise

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS Director Steven Spielberg Reportedly Planning To Return To Sci-Fi Genre For His Next Movie

REBEL MOON Star Ed Skrein Has A Graphic Alien Sex Scene In R-Rated Extended Cut

Cartoons & Animated Features

X-MEN '97 Creative Express Interest In Bringing An X-MEN Animated Movie To Theaters

X-MEN '97 Makes A Big Change To Opening Credits; Showrunner Reveals MAN OF STEEL Inspiration For [SPOILER]

X-MEN '97 Reveals The Fate Of Professor X, The Villain Behind Genosha Attack, And Storm's Future - SPOILERS

Gaming

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: SPLINTERED FATE Headed To Nintendo Switch This July

Ubisoft Responds To Backlash Over STAR WARS OUTLAWS Exclusive Season Pass "Jabba's Gambit" Mission

Second Wave Of XBOX GAME PASS Titles For April 2024 Revealed

Anime & Manga

MY HERO ACADEMIA Season 7 Countdown Kicks Off With Class 1-A Character Visuals

GHOST IN THE SHELL 2: INNOCENCE Returning To Theaters With New 4K Restoration

Crunchyroll Announces Release Date For ONE PIECE Season 14 Voyage 15 English Dub

Horror

IMMACULATE Star Sydney Sweeney Has Been Slammed By A Hollywood Producer: "She's Not Pretty, She Can't Act"

SCREAM VII: Rumored Details On Sidney And Gale's Roles And Ghostface's Targets - SPOILERS

DEAD BOY DETECTIVES Showrunner Confirms Other SANDMAN Characters - Aside From Death - Will Appear

Action Movies & TV

JAMES BOND: Henry Cavill Isn't Closing The Door On Playing 007; "Maybe I'm Too Old Now. Maybe I'm Not..."

Alex Garland's CIVIL WAR Is The #1 Movie In North America- Opens To $25.7M

THE ACCOUNTANT 2 Adds Four More Actors Including JURASSIC WORLD Star Daniella Pineda

Pro Wrestling & MMA News

Kurt Angle Reflects On What Went Wrong During Final WWE Run: "Fans Could Tell I Was Not The Same Wrestler"

AEW President Tony Khan Believes It "Made A Lot Of Sense" To Air ALL IN Backstage Footage On DYNAMITE

Chad Gable Turns Heel On RAW By Brutally Attacking Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn

Sci-Fi & Fantasy

REBEL MOON Director Zack Snyder Suggests He Has A Six-Movie Plan For Netflix's Sci-Fi Franchise

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS Director Steven Spielberg Reportedly Planning To Return To Sci-Fi Genre For His Next Movie

REBEL MOON Star Ed Skrein Has A Graphic Alien Sex Scene In R-Rated Extended Cut

KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES Star Kevin Durand Reveals New Details About "Narcissistic" Proximus Caesar

DOCTOR WHO Showrunner Russell T Davies Confirms "Timeless Child" Link And Explains Impact Of Bigger Budget

ANT-MAN Star Michael Douglas Doesn't Expect To Return To MCU; Wanted Hank Pym To Die In QUANTUMANIA

Cartoons & Animated Features

X-MEN '97 Creative Express Interest In Bringing An X-MEN Animated Movie To Theaters

X-MEN '97 Makes A Big Change To Opening Credits; Showrunner Reveals MAN OF STEEL Inspiration For [SPOILER]

X-MEN '97 Reveals The Fate Of Professor X, The Villain Behind Genosha Attack, And Storm's Future - SPOILERS