The Fantastic Four were created by comic book greats Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, and premiered in The Fantastic Four #1 in 1961. For those who don’t know, the team is comprised of Reed Richards (Mister Fantastic), Sue Storm (Invisible Woman), Johnny Storm (Human Torch), and Ben Grimm (Thing).
By now most people have heard about the Fantastic Four making their way to the MCU in a new feature film directed by Jon Watts. Though the project is still in development with nothing having been revealed, the idea alone has made fans begin to speculate how the team will form in the established universe and who they might face off against first.
Mole Man
Appearing in the first issue of The Fantastic Four in 1961, the Mole Man was a shunned member of society who thrust himself into searching for a world far from one he hated. Washed ashore Monster Isle, he journeyed into its depths and found belonging with its many creatures.
Mole Man would make a perfect villain for a Fantastic Four reboot, as he has yet to be featured in any of the previous Fantastic Four films. Plus, his large horde of monsters could have great visual appeal for movie-goers.
Doctor Doom
What might seem like an obvious first choice, a great addition to the MCU that could be introduced in this reboot would be Doctor Doom. Introduced in The Fantastic Four #5, Doom is a master genius of both technology and magic who rules the country of Latveria.
Hiding his scarred body behind a suit of armor, Doctor Doom has battled many in the Marvel Universe, both hero and villain. Doom would be a great person to introduce into the MCU, and what better way than by first fighting against his long time rivals.
Galactus
The Devourer of Worlds first made his appearance in then pages of Fantastic Four #48 in 1966, led by his most famous herald turned hero, the Silver Surfer. This force of nature was the last member alive from a previous universe who now drains planets of their energy.
With such strong popularity amongst fans, Galactus would be a giant (both figuratively and literally) addition in the MCU. And as Galactus is seen as not a traditionally “evil” character, it provides for a different level of storytelling and set of themes that the MCU has yet to tackle.
Super-Skrull
With the Skrulls already being introduced in Captain Marvel, having the soldier Kl’rt the Super-Skrull would be an easy transition into the MCU. Introduced in Fantastic Four #18 in 1963, Super-Skrull was a powerful Skrull soldier who was given the same powers as all four members of the Fantastic Four in order to eliminate them.
Though there is no date for Marvel’s T.V. series, Secret Invasion, it could very well lead into the Fantastic Four, with Super-Skrull being the Skrull’s response to outcome of those events.
Annihilus
The insect-like ruler of the Negative Zone dimension, Annihilus first appeared in Fantastic Four Annual #6 in 1968 when the group traveled to the Negative Zone once again. Annihilus has been an evil presence in the Marvel Universe for many years, fighting against the likes of Adam Warlock and even the Mad Titan himself, Thanos.
Annihilus would be a great villain to enter the MCU because of his traditional villain look and because he is the creator of a powerful item known as the Cosmic Control Rod, which could be used in the films as a dangerous MacGuffin like the Infinity Stones.
Diablo
Fantastic Four #30 from 1964 presented readers to the vile alchemist, Diablo, who was sealed inside a castle until he was freed by manipulating the Thing. With a genius level intellect and vast knowledge of alchemy, Diablo has proven to be a powerful foe for the Fantastic Four.
Diablo is a character that has not been adapted into other mediums too often, having only been seen in a few television episodes and video games. Not only could Diablo be a great addition, but he could also introduce mainstream audiences to the android he helped create, Dragon Man.
High Evolutionary
The High Evolutionary is highly skilled in genetics and was able to create new beings from animals and humans that he dubbed the New Men. Having first appeared in The Might Thor #134, the High Evolutionary has seemingly endless connections to characters in the Marvel Universe, even with the already introduced Scarlet Witch.
With a character as strange and complex as the High Evolutionary, his involvement in the Fantastic Four reboot could present new scientific moral themes that the MCU have not yet brought up.
Molecule Man
Once a lab technician, the Molecule Man was given the power to control all molecules, as seen in his first appearance in Fantastic Four #20 from 1963. Over time, Molecule Man has become a reluctant hero and villain, only searching for peace in his life.
With Molecule Man’s incredible power, he would make s great villain for the Fantastic Four to start with. And with the multiverse being introduced, he could even play a larger part in its formation due to his dangerous powers.
The Wizard
Premiering in Strange Tales #102 from 1962, the Wizard first got his name by using his high intelligence to create inventions that would allow him to perform magic acts. He would battle against the Fantastic Four countless times and even become one of the members of the dastardly Frightful Four.
Because of his high intelligence he would be a great match for Mister Fantastic, and his strange escape artist background could make for some humorous moments. But the great achievement that could come about would be the possible introduction of the Frightful Four that the Wizard could form later on.
The Maker
Hailing from the Ultimate Marvel Universe, the Maker first appeared in Ultimate Fantastic Four #1 in 2004, known originally as the hero Reed Richards. But after a string of terrible events, Richards forms a darker outlook on life and dubs himself the Maker.
With the introduction of the various timelines and alternate universes that make up the MCU, the Maker appearing is more likely than ever. Though it may be hard to introduce such a complex character, it could be done by hiding his appearance at first and real him to be a “big bad” later in the film series.
