The Fantastic Four is shaping up to be a much different movie than we expected. Not only is the story set in the 1960s, but it's also playing out in a different reality (rather than Earth-616, the home of The Avengers).
Marvel Studios could have just introduced the team in the present day - a popular theory was they gained their powers during the Blip - but with the Multiverse in play, it seems they have something wildly different planned.
Murphy's Multiverse has chimed in on recent rumours today, confirming The Fantastic Four will indeed be set in another universe that "has yet to be explored in the MCU."
Here's where things get really interesting, though. The site explains that, "some buzz has reached our ears that there will be some connection between Franklin [Richards] and Galactus in the film."
It sounds like Marvel Studios might be pulling inspiration from Earth X, a reality which saw Shalla-Bal become Silver Surfer, for this link between Frankin and the world-eating baddie.
In that world, the incredibly powerful young mutant agreed to let the High Evolutionary transform him into the new Galactus to restore balance to the universe (and protect it from the Celestials) after his father turned the original version into a star. He lost his memories but, given his heroic past and guidance from the two Silver Surfers, only consumed planets which would eventually give birth to a Celestial.
Not only can inspiration be pulled from this, but bear in mind that Franklin has a history of creating a pocket universe for his family to exist in...is it possible Marvel's First Family originated on Earth-616 before he saved them? Or could it just be that's where he eventually sends them?
We'd also be remiss to not point out that Marvel Studios has eyed actors like Antonio Banderas and Javier Bardem for Galactus; with Pedro Pascal playing Reed Richards, this may point to some sort of familial connection with the Devourer of Worlds. We'll have to wait and see.
Marvel Studios has announced that Pedro Pascal (Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic), Vanessa Kirby (Sue Storm/Invisible Woman), Joseph Quinn (Johnny Storm/Human Torch), and Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Ben Grimm/The Thing) will lead The Fantastic Four cast. Julia Garner has also joined the reboot as Shalla-Bal/Silver Surfer.
Director Matt Shakman worked with both Avatar: The Way of Water co-writer Josh Friedman and WandaVision's Cam Squires on The Fantastic Four's screenplay, with Eric Pearson (Black Widow) recently coming on board for a final polish.
The movie is set to be released in theaters on July 25, 2025.