{"id":38762,"date":"2025-08-02T00:46:11","date_gmt":"2025-08-02T00:46:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/38762\/"},"modified":"2025-08-02T00:46:11","modified_gmt":"2025-08-02T00:46:11","slug":"12-plot-threads-marvel-still-needs-to-tie-up-after-the-fantastic-four-first-steps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/38762\/","title":{"rendered":"12 Plot Threads Marvel Still Needs to Tie Up after The Fantastic Four: First Steps"},"content":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n

With the debut of The Fantastic Four: First Steps<\/a>, Marvel Studios has set the stage for its second endgame \u2014 two Avengers films, subtitled Doomsday<\/a> and Secret Wars<\/a>, to be released in late 2026 and 2027, respectively. The films promise resolution on the current Multiverse Saga and, according to studio president Kevin Feige, an opportunity for a creative and narrative reset in 2028.<\/p>\n

But what could that mean for some of the plotlines teased since the Multiverse Saga began? Not every idea glimpsed in stinger scenes or even within a given film has received the attention it seemingly deserved. And with that potential reset on the horizon, it is possible they will never get resolved. Of course, longtime readers of Marvel comics will recognize this aspect of massive shared storytelling \u2014 particularly when writer Chris Claremont was plotting X-Men \u2014 so it is always possible some of these seemingly dropped plots may be revisited even after Secret Wars.<\/p>\n

For the moment, though, let\u2019s review the Time Variance Authority\u2019s tapes and determine what ideas may or may not be revisited by Marvel in the next few years.<\/p>\n

[Warning: Spoilers for The Fantastic Four: First Steps Below]<\/p>\n

Franklin Richards in Line to Inherit Galactus\u2019 Hunger<\/p>\n

\"Pedro(Photo by Marvel Studios)<\/p>\n

Introduced In: The Fantastic Four: First Steps<\/a><\/p>\n

Will It Be Resolved? Definitely<\/p>\n

The most recently teased plot line, courtesy of First Steps, is the suggestion by Galactus (Ralph Ineson<\/a>) that Franklin Richards \u2014 son of Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal<\/a>) and Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby<\/a>) \u2014 has the potential to inherit the Devourer of Worlds\u2019 hunger. And as he already has access to some of his abilities, is the child the key to Doctor Doom\u2019s (Robert Downey Jr.<\/a>) plan in Doomsday?<\/p>\n

Back in the comics, Franklin\u2019s powers include the ability to warp reality and high-end telepathic talents to rival the strongest of the strong. Also worth noting: He is considered a Mutant like the X-Men. His talent in altering reality attracted the attention of foes like Annihilus and Onslaught. The latter\u2019s attempt to co-opt Franklin led the child to move his family and other key heroes who seemingly died in the conflict to a new reality. Of course, the awesome state of his powers means he has to be depowered on the regular.<\/p>\n

The film version of Franklin takes this to a different place, though, with the implication that he could be the next Galactus. As Reed suggests in First Steps, Galactus is older than their universe (another direct pull from the comics) and stuck in a cycle in which he must feed on planets to survive. He believes he can pass this burden onto Franklin, but is it the boy\u2019s ultimate fate?<\/p>\n

Honestly, we doubt it. If Secret Wars merges the Fantastic Four\u2019s reality with the traditional Marvel Cinematic Universe, Franklin will likely end up depowered and continue his relatively traditional childhood. Well, assuming the Four get to return to the 1960s of that merged universe.<\/p>\n

At the same time, many are already suggesting that Franklin\u2019s powers are essential to Doom\u2019s plan to claim the Multiverse for himself. Will Franklin power Doom\u2019s journey? Will he witness whatever happens to the X-Men of an old Fox universe? And considering the First Steps stinger scene, will he be responsible for Doom\u2019s resemblance to Tony Stark (also Downey)?<\/p>\n

Those questions will definitely be addressed in Doomsday and we wouldn\u2019t be surprised if Franklin ages himself into a form resembling Chris Evans.<\/p>\n

Doctor Strange and Clea Face An Incursion<\/p>\n

\"Charlize(Photo by Marvel Studios)<\/p>\n

Introduced In: Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness<\/a><\/p>\n

Will It Be Resolved? Likely<\/p>\n

Back when the stinger scenes were introducing new characters, few were as surprising as Charlize Theron<\/a>\u2019s 30 seconds as Clea, a character with big implications in Doctor Strange lore. But here, she tells the three-eyed Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch<\/a>) that his actions have caused an incursion between realities. She leads him back to Dormammu\u2019s Dark Dimension, but it\u2019s the last we have seen of Strange since.<\/p>\n

As he was told earlier in the film that incursions are bad for the overall integrity of the Multiverse, it is highly likely Strange and Clea will encounter Doom as he unfurls his grand design. It remains to be seen, however, if they will be much good against him. Or if the third eye granted by The Darkhold will make Steven\u2019s life more difficult in the long run.<\/p>\n

The Eternals Attempt to Rescue Their Brethren From Arishem<\/p>\n

\"Eternals\"(Photo by Marvel Studios)<\/p>\n

Introduced In: Eternals<\/a><\/p>\n

Will It Be Resolved? Unlikely<\/p>\n

At the end of Eternals, three members of the group are kidnapped by the Celestial Arishem to aid in his judgement of Earth. The remaining Eternals, having already left the planet, vow to find them. Soon, they encounter Thanos\u2019 (Josh Brolin<\/a>) brother Eros (Harry Styles<\/a>) and his diminutive pal Pip (Patton Oswalt<\/a>), who offer assistance. In a moment when the cosmic aspects of the MCU were meant to be more prominent in the post-Avengers Endgame state of play, the sequel should have followed the adventure out into space.<\/p>\n

But, as we all know, the response to Eternals was sub-optimal and Marvel was already in the process of moving away from its space-based projects back toward more Earthly characters. Even Styles\u2019 cameo as Eros could not keep the momentum up for this plot. Combined with the potential reset following Secret Wars, we expect the Eternals will be forever lost in space within a discarded version of the MCU.<\/p>\n

Marc Spector And Steven Grant Face Jake Lockley<\/p>\n

\"Oscar(Photo by \u00a9Disney+)<\/p>\n

Introduced In: Moon Knight<\/a><\/p>\n

Will It Be Resolved? Doubtful<\/p>\n

Throughout Moon Knight, one of the title character\u2019s (Oscar Isaac<\/a>) alters was missing until the final moments. Reconfigured as a Spanish-speaking mercenary still loyal to moon god Khonshu (F. Murray Abraham<\/a>), Jake Lockley is the reason Marc (or his alter-ego Steven Grant) is still chaining himself to the bedpost. But how can you fight an antagonist living inside your own body?<\/p>\n

The concept was intriguing, but with Feige already saying there will be fewer Marvel TV shows going forward, we doubt Marc and Steven will ever square away their issues with Jake. This, sadly, also applies to a number of other leftover ideas from the TV shows, including the Secret Invasion<\/a> revelation that Colonel James Rhodes (Don Cheadle<\/a>) had been replaced by a Skrull before his accident in Captain America: Civil War<\/a> \u2014 or really anything from Secret Invasion, for that matter. See also: Sharon Carter\u2019s (Emily VanCamp<\/a>) villainous turn as the Power Broker in Madripoor, Jennifer Walters\u2019 (Tatiana Maslany<\/a>) fourth-wall breaking, whatever became of Ravonna Renslayer (Gugu Mbatha-Raw<\/a>) in the Void, or Mephisto\u2019s (Sacha Baron Cohen<\/a>) ultimate plan for Riri Williams\u2019 (Dominique Thorne<\/a>) soul.<\/p>\n

Although, we imagine Billy Maximoff (Joe Locke<\/a>) and Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn<\/a>) will go in search of his brother Tommy \u2014 who Billy seemingly willed into existence during Agatha All Along<\/a> \u2014 at some point\u2026<\/p>\n

Monica Rambeau Returns from the Fox X-Men World<\/p>\n

\"Teyonah(Photo by Marvel Studios)<\/p>\n

Introduced In: The Marvels<\/a><\/p>\n

Will It Be Resolved? More likely than not<\/p>\n

The Marvels\u2019 mid-credit scene sees Captain Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris<\/a>) awakening at the X-Mansion, encountering Beast (Kelsey Grammer<\/a>), and discovering that universe\u2019s version of her mother (Lashana Lynch<\/a>) is the Mutant known as Binary. It took an extraordinary display of Monica\u2019s abilities to get to this alternate reality in the first place, so we imagine she will be there when Doom arrives to accomplish whatever task requires a stop in the old Fox X-Men universe. Will she make it home? We think so. Monica is a surprisingly resilient character in the comics and in her few MCU appearances.<\/p>\n

Blade Holds Black Knight from His Destiny<\/p>\n

\"Kit(Photo by Marvel Studios)<\/p>\n

Introduced In: Eternals<\/p>\n

Will It Be Resolved? Fairly unlikely<\/p>\n

Eternals\u2019 other stinger scene involved Dane Whitman (Kit Harington<\/a>) reaching for a sword that would turn him into the Black Knight. But his attempt is thwarted by an unseen Blade (Mahershala Ali<\/a>), who asks, \u201cAre you sure you\u2019re ready for that, Mr. Whitman?\u201d<\/p>\n

Between the poor response to Eternals and the never-ending development of a Blade feature \u2014 Feige recently said he\u2019s still committed to making the movie happen \u2014 we doubt most people even remember this tease occurred. Even the subtitles for the film on Disney+ refer to Blade as a \u201cmystery man.\u201d By the time his feature finally gets made, the MCU will be wholly different and, we imagine, the reason for Black Knight to debut in it or an Eternals sequel will be discarded.<\/p>\n

Hercules Instills Fear of The Gods by Defeating Thor<\/p>\n

\"Brett(Photo by Marvel Studios)<\/p>\n

Introduced In: Thor: Love and Thunder<\/a><\/p>\n

Will It Be Resolved? Maybe?<\/p>\n

While Thor Odinson (Chris Hemsworth<\/a>) is away raising his adopted daughter, Love (India Rose Hemsworth), there is a lingering plotline for another Thor film: Zeus (Russell Crowe<\/a>) dispatching his son Hercules (Brett Goldstein<\/a>) to restore the fear of the Gods by defeating Thor. We imagine this conflict was set up during a time when Marvel expected to make a fifth Thor film before the end of the Multiverse Saga. But with no Thor film currently expected before 2028, we\u2019re unsure Hercules will ever confront the God of Thunder.<\/p>\n

That said, Love and Thunder\u2019s other stinger scene \u2014 the heroic spirit of Jane Foster (Natalie Portman<\/a>) arriving in Valhalla \u2014 suggests there may be a more long-term plan outside of the Multiversal madness thanks to the various Marvel afterlifes introduced in the last 10 years. Provided, of course, it does not get wiped away by the Secret Wars reset.<\/p>\n

The Council Of Kangs Gear Up For Multiversal War<\/p>\n

\"Jonathan(Photo by Marvel Studios)<\/p>\n

Introduced In: Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania<\/a><\/p>\n

Will It Be Resolved? Doubtful<\/p>\n

Back when Kang (Jonathan Majors<\/a>) was meant to be the ultimate antagonist of the Multiverse Saga \u2014 although we\u2019re now convinced Doom was always going to be in Secret Wars \u2014 his big debut was a mixed bag thanks to Scott Lang (Paul Rudd<\/a>) defeating him fairly easily and a council of other variant Kangs threatening to go to war against the MCU now that its inhabitants have touched the Multiverse.<\/p>\n

Then Majors\u2019 legal trouble and the lukewarm response to Quantumania led to a huge a rethink and Kang\u2019s big movie, Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, becoming Doom\u2019s big Marvel Studios debut instead. Nevertheless, the Kangs are still out there sizing up Universe-616 with only Scott and Captain America: Brave New World\u2019<\/a>s Samuel Sterns (Tim Blake Nelson<\/a>) seemingly aware.<\/p>\n

Or did Loki (Tom Hiddleston<\/a>) assuming control of the TVA and becoming the God of Stories in the Loki<\/a> season 2 finale end the Kang threat? It\u2019s so difficult to say, as all of these things were in flux for a very long time.<\/p>\n

If this thread gets resolved, it could be little more than a sight gag of Doom and Franklin hovering above the corpses of the Kangs. Or, perhaps, it will be a line of dialogue. It may even be a deleted scene included in Doomsday\u2019s home video release.<\/p>\n

Peter Parker Restores His Friends\u2019 Memories<\/p>\n

\"Tom(Photo by Matt Kennedy\/\u00a9Sony Pictures Releasing\/\u00a9Marvel Entertainment)<\/p>\n

Introduced In: Spider-Man: No Way Home<\/a><\/p>\n

Will It Be Resolved? Yes<\/p>\n

At the end of No Way Home, Peter Parker (Tom Holland<\/a>) accepted having his identity and most of his history erased from peoples\u2019 memories to end the Multiversal threat he unleashed in the film\u2019s events. It promised a back-to-basics approach for the Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man if and when Marvel and Sony collaborated on another MCU Spider-Man film. That movie is now scheduled for release on July 31, 2026.<\/p>\n

The nature of Spider-Man: Brand New Day<\/a> is still something of a mystery, though. We know that Sadie Sink<\/a> will appear \u2014 fan theories link her to characters like an alternate universe Mary Jane Watson and her daughter with Peter, May-Day Parker \u2014 and that Spidey will experience his first live action \u201cteam-up\u201d with The Punisher (Jon Bernthal<\/a>). None of these details, though, syncs up with the remaining plot point from No Way Home: Will Peter find a way for Michelle \u201cMJ\u201d Jones (Zendaya<\/a>) and Ned Leeds (Jacob Batalon<\/a>) to recover their memories of him?<\/p>\n

Those relationships are the backbone of every MCU Spider-Man film, so we imagine it will continue to be important to the character even as new characters enter his orbit. Expect this to get resolved in the film\u2019s runtime, if even just for Peter to accept that he has to move on and embrace some new amazing friends.<\/p>\n

Kamala Khan Founds The Young Avengers<\/p>\n

\"Iman(Photo by Marvel Studios)<\/p>\n

Introduced In: The Marvels<\/p>\n

Will It Be Resolved? Outcome uncertain<\/p>\n

When Kamala (Iman Velani<\/a>) reached out to Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld<\/a>), it seemed like the beginning of something exciting: a Young Avengers team. But in order for that title to work, the Avengers have to be, well, young. At the pace Marvel is moving this plotline, the Young Avengers will be in their late-20s and early-30s. That still means they\u2019ll be the junior league should they ever appear in their own film, but they won\u2019t seem as youthful as they might have if Marvel had put a Young Avengers movie into development at the beginning of the Multiverse Saga. At this point, Prince T\u2019Challa, aka Toussaint (Divine Love Konadu-Sun), may be old enough to be a member by the time they get back to this idea.<\/p>\n

Nevertheless, with Kamala, Kate, Billy, Riri, America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez<\/a>), Cassie Lang (Kathryn Newton<\/a>), and Bruce Banner\u2019s (Mark Ruffalo<\/a>) son, Skaar, subbing in for the comics\u2019 Hulkling, the team is ready for action. Maybe they\u2019ll make a surprise appearance in Doomsday or Secret Wars to further baffle Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie<\/a>) as he already has another Avengers team to deal with.<\/p>\n

The Dueling Avengers Teams And Their Trademark Dispute<\/p>\n

\"Image(Photo by Marvel Studios)<\/p>\n

Introduced In: Thunderbolts*<\/a><\/p>\n

Will It Be Resolved? More than likely<\/p>\n

The Thunderbolts* stinger scene had a lot to accomplish, as it would be the last scene in a film set within the MCU until 2026. It established 16 months have passed since the Thunderbolts were dubbed the New Avengers, but that Sam refuses to recognize their claim to the title. And then the Fantastic Four\u2019s spaceship, the Excelsior, arrives to end the conversation.<\/p>\n

As the talked-about but unseen conflict between the two Avengers groups serves as the Multiverse Saga\u2019s equivalent of Civil War, we imagine this will be resolved as soon as the Excelsior\u2019s occupants explain why they\u2019ve landed on Earth-616. But like the Kangs, the resolution may be brief and jokey as Sam and Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh<\/a>) agree Doom is a common enemy and more important than a trademark issue.<\/p>\n

The Ten Rings Signal Into Space<\/p>\n

\"Benedict(Photo by Marvel Studios)<\/p>\n

Introduced In: Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings<\/a><\/p>\n

Will It Be Resolved? Quite likely<\/p>\n

As one of the earliest Multiverse Saga films, Shang-Chi\u2019s stinger scenes feature two intriguing teases. One: Shang-Chi\u2019s (Simu Liu<\/a>) sister, Xialing (Meng\u2019er Zhang<\/a>), continuing the Ten Rings as a criminal enterprise. The mid-credits tease, though, seemingly had cosmic implications as the actual Ten Rings \u2014 now in Shang-Chi\u2019s possession \u2014 were found to be broadcasting a signal into space so concerning that Sorcerer Supreme Wong (Benedict Wong<\/a>), Bruce Banner, and Captain Marvel (Brie Larson<\/a>) held a conference at Kamar-Taj to discuss it with Shang-Chi and Katy (Awkwafina<\/a>). But four years on, the signal continues to ping across the universe.<\/p>\n

While we doubt this stinger will be resolved in the short-term or before Secret Wars, it will eventually receive some sort of follow-up as Shang-Chi director Destin Daniel Cretton is on good terms with the studio, currently helming Spider-Man: Brand New Day and producing the upcoming Wonder Man Disney+ series.<\/p>\n

Then again, it is possible the signal could have been a forewarning of the Excelsior all along and a simple way to resolve the plot before Cretton finally returns to the long-delayed Shang-Chi sequel.<\/p>\n

The Fantastic Four: First Steps<\/a> is currently in theaters.<\/p>\n

Find Something Fresh! Discover What to Watch, Read Reviews, Leave Ratings and Build Watchlists. Download the Rotten Tomatoes App.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"With the debut of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Marvel Studios has set the stage for its second…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":38763,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[64,63,134,6860,8414,344,6864],"class_list":{"0":"post-38762","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-movies","8":"tag-au","9":"tag-australia","10":"tag-entertainment","11":"tag-marvel","12":"tag-mcu","13":"tag-movies","14":"tag-superheroes"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38762","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38762"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38762\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/38763"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38762"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=38762"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=38762"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}