The first teaser trailer forThe Fantastic Four: First Stepsmay hint at the live-action debut of a very powerfulMCUMultiverse Saga hero. Over five years after Marvel boss Kevin Feige hinted at the MCU debut of the Fantastic Four in 2019, thefirst teaser trailer for 2025’sThe Fantastic Four: First Stepshas finally provided a first look at Marvel’s new First Family in action. One scene in the trailer, however, could suggest that the Fantastic Four could actually be joined by an exciting character who has already been seen in the MCU.
The Fantastic Four: First Stepsis expected to be the firstMCU movie set entirely in an alternate universe, proving Marvel Studios is making the most of the endless possibilities of the Multiverse Saga. This opens the door for some stories that might be too wild for the mainstream MCU timeline to be explored, including the Fantastic Four’s battle against theterrifying planet-eater, Galactus. In Marvel Comics,this battle is preceded by the arrival of a surprising character, and he has already been seen in the MCU, so could easily return inThe Fantastic Four: First Steps.
The Sky Is On Fire In The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ First Teaser Trailer
The Fantastic Four: First Steps' Trailer Released On February 4
The release of the first teaser trailer forThe Fantastic Four: First Stepshas spurred many new theories about the hidden details of the upcoming Phase 6 movie. There has been speculation that1960s-inspired variants of some pre-established MCU characterscould appear alongside Marvel’s First Family, and the trailer may have hinted at another well-known character making his live-action debut. This is due tothe sky seemingly being on fire in one scene inThe Fantastic Four: First Steps’trailer, which is reminiscent of one issue of Marvel Comics.
InThe Fantastic Four: First Steps’teaser trailer, it seems as though the fire in the sky could be a meteor shower caused byGalactus entering the Earth’s atmosphere, or perhaps signaling the arrival of Shalla-Bal’s Silver Surfer. However,Galactus can later be seen arriving in New York during the day, casting his shadow over the city and looking at the Statue of Liberty. This suggests that the fire in the sky is being caused by another entity, and the answer could lie in Marvel Comics’Fantastic Four #48from 1966.
The Watcher Ignites The Skyline To Hide Earth From Galactus In First Steps’ Marvel Comics Inspiration
Fantastic Four #48 Was Singled Out By Marvel As Inspiration For First Steps
After thecast ofThe Fantastic Four: First Stepswas confirmed in February 2024, Marvel also revealed several issues of Marvel Comics that would provide important context for the upcoming Phase 6 movie. One of these was1966’sFantastic Four #48, which marked the debut of Galactus and Norrin Radd’s Silver Surfer, and also brought Uatu the Watcher into the Marvel Universe. In an effort to hide the Earth from the Silver Surfer, Galactus' Herald, the Watcher actually set fire to the sky, though his plans were ultimately futile.
What if Creators Address Jeffrey Wright Playing Live-Action Watcher
What If…? creators A.C. Bradley and Bryan Andrews want to see Jeffrey Wright reprise his role as Uatu the Watcher in a live-action MCU project.
This event immediately preceded the Silver Surfer and Galactus' arrival on Earth, so it makes sense that this fire-lighting event could also be seen in the live-action MCU, as Ralph Ineson’s Galactus is on his way.Jeffrey Wright has voiced Uatu the Watcherin Marvel’s animatedWhat If…?series since 2021, andThe Fantastic Four: First Stepsmay be about to feature Wright’s live-action debut as the Watcher. Given his access to the entire multiverse and penchant for helping heroes in need, it would be brilliant to see the Watcher appear inThe Fantastic Four: First Steps.
The Watcher Became A Bona Fide Hero In What If…? Season 3
Image via Disney+
The Watcher was introduced inWhat If…?season 1 as the narrator of stories occurring in alternate realities across the MCU’s multiverse, though he had taken a vow to simply watch and not get involved in the lives of these universes' inhabitants. Thisoath was broken by Uatu many timesthroughoutWhat If…?, such as when he formed the Guardians of the Multiverse, sent a Black Widow variant to an alternate timeline, showed Captain Carter the multiverse and saved Riri Williams and Kwai Jun-Fan.What If…?season 3’s finale took this to the extreme.
Live-action Watchers previously appeared in one ofGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’smid-credits scenes, though it seems likely Uatu’s design will be altered if he’s brought into live-action in the current MCU.
Instead of not intervening, Uatu empoweredCaptain Carter, Kahhori, Storm and Byrdie with the powers of the Watchersand fought his own people. Renouncing his former oath means that the Watcher is ready to interfere in any number of upcoming MCU stories, sohis appearance inThe Fantastic Four: First Stepsto try and save Earth from Galactus and warn the Fantastic Four makes complete sense. This may also allow Kahhori, Storm and Byrdie to appear inThe Fantastic Four: First Steps, which could begin to establish clear connections to every MCU Multiverse Saga project.
