Kevin Feige Confirms 'Fantastic Four' Directly Leads into 'Avengers: Doomsday'
The architectural blueprint ofMarvel Studios' Multiverse Saga continues to unfold with strategic precision. During a presentation atDisney's CineEurope convention, Marvel Studios head honchoKevin Feigeofficially confirmed that the events ofThe Fantastic Four: First Stepswill directly lead into December 2026'sAvengers: Doomsday. This revelation cements the highly anticipated debut of Marvel's First Family as an integral cornerstone of the next Avengers-level threat.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps, set for release on July 25, 2025, has already generated immense buzz with its unique premise. The film will reportedly take place on an alternate, retro-futuristic 1960s Earth, introducing audiences to Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm. The primary antagonist is confirmed to be the planet-devouring cosmic entity, Galactus (voiced by Ralph Ineson), alongside his herald, the Silver Surfer (Julia Garner). While director Matt Shakman has indicated Doctor Doom won't be in thisFantastic Fourfilm, theThunderbolts*post-credits scene already teased the team's arrival in the mainMCUtimeline, making this direct narrative connection somewhat anticipated by keen-eyed fans.
Feige's confirmation at CineEurope reinforces the interconnected nature of Phase 6 and beyond.Avengers: Doomsday, directed by the returningRusso Brothersand starringRobert Downey Jr.as the iconic villain Doctor Doom, is currently shooting in London. The direct link suggests that the Fantastic Four's journey – likely involving their displacement from their own reality and their encounter with a cosmic threat – will directly set the stage for the massive multiversal conflict that Doctor Doom instigates in the next Avengers film.
This strategic narrative tethering serves to elevate the importance ofThe Fantastic Four: First Steps, positioning it not just as a standalone origin-adjacent story, but as a critical precursor to the MCU's next grand saga. Fans now have a clearer understanding that the cosmic stakes and character introductions within the Fantastic Four's debut will resonate profoundly in the lead-up toDoomsday.
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