{"id":512039,"date":"2026-03-03T17:36:12","date_gmt":"2026-03-03T17:36:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/512039\/"},"modified":"2026-03-03T17:36:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T17:36:12","slug":"the-mad-thinker-is-rewritten-for-mcu-fantastic-four-origin-spoilers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/512039\/","title":{"rendered":"The Mad Thinker Is Rewritten For MCU Fantastic Four Origin (Spoilers)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Posted in: Comics<\/a>, Marvel Comics<\/a> | Tagged: dan slott<\/a>, fantastic four<\/a>, mad thinker<\/a>, Mark Buckingham<\/a>, mcu<\/a><\/p>\n

How the Mad Thinker was renamed and rewritten for the MCU Fantastic Four: First Steps origin story (Spoilers)<\/p>\n

Article Summary
\nMad Thinker is reimagined as Professor Rene Rodin for the MCU Fantastic Four origin story.
\nOriginally lacking a clear identity, Mad Thinker gains a new MCU-aligned backstory and motivation.
\nThe MCU version features Mad Thinker as mentor to Reed Richards and architect of H.E.R.B.I.E.
\nDriven by jealousy, Rodin\u2019s evolution from Great Thinker to Mad Thinker reshapes Fantastic Four lore. <\/p>\n

The\u00a0Mad Thinker\u00a0was introduced by\u00a0Jack Kirby and Stan Lee in Fantastic Four #15 in 1963 as a scientist with the ability to predict future events precisely, but without an origin or secret identity.<\/p>\n

\"Mad<\/a>Stan Lee and Jack Kirby \u2013 Fantastic Four #15<\/p>\n

He also created artificially intelligent robots to do his bidding, whoever he is. It would take until 2016 and Infamous Iron Man #2 by Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev for him even to get a first name, Julius.<\/p>\n

\"Mad<\/a>Infamous Iron Man #2 by Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev<\/p>\n

But then, in the more recent Ryan North\/Humberto Ramos Fantastic Four #7, we had another version of his identity, stating to himself that his name was Ren\u00e9 Rodin,\u00a0as in the famous sculptor. Why the change? It may have to do with the Marvel Cinematic Universe.<\/p>\n

\"Mad<\/a>Ryan North\/Humberto Ramos Fantastic Four #7,<\/p>\n

In the opening movie montage, Mark Gatiss as talk show host Ted Gilbert mentions that “when the Mad Thinker tried to sabotage New York City, the Fantastic Four came to our rescue”, showing the Human Torch saving a small girl from a falling metal beam. And it has been suggested that he might return in future Fantastic Four instalments. Is it possible that the movie bible backstory named him as Ren\u00e9 Rodin, and the comic books wanted to get in there first? In this month’s Fantastic Four: First Foes #1 by Dan Slott and Mark Buckingham, set in the world of the MCU, as a comic book created for people to read about the adventures of the real-life FF, I understand that he will appear as the Great Thinker, named Professor Rene Rodin, and a mentor to Reed Richards.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\"Mad<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tFantastic Four: First Foes #1 by Dan Slott and Mark Buckingham<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\"Mad<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tFantastic Four: First Foes #1 by Dan Slott and Mark Buckingham
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<\/p>\n

Ground control for the Fantastic Four’s first space mission, he’s the one creating the algorithms on the fly, to see them return to Earth safely after hitting the cosmic storm, and working directly with H.E.R.B.I.E., also based on his A.I. work. But then, driven mad by jealousy, we get to find out how The Fantastic Four saved New York from him, and what led to his name change from Great Thinker to Mad Thinker\u2026 Fantastic Four: First Foes #1 is published at the end of the month.<\/p>\n

\"Marvel<\/a>Fantastic Four: First Foes #1<\/p>\n

Fantastic 4: First Foes #1<\/a>
by Dan Slott, Ryan North, Phil Noto, Mark Buckingham<\/a>
FROM THE WORLD OF THE CINEMATIC MASTERPIECE! Return to the universe of the legendary film in the first of a series of specials!! On Earth-828, a cosmic mishap has transformed four brave astronauts into the world’s champions and protectors. They are the Fantastic Four \u2013 but one person isn’t happy about things. He’s known as the Mad Thinker, and he’s determined to get his proper due by turning the city of tomorrow against its heroic patrons!<\/p>\n

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