The Fantastic Four: First Steps Ending Explained

Contains spoilers for “The Fantastic Four: First Steps”

Despite being labeled as Marvel’s first family, the Fantastic Four have had a tough time translating their magic to the big screen. From a low-budget film in the ’90s made only to secure rights, a goofy pair of films in the 2000s, and a grim reboot in 2015 that’s better off forgotten, it seems like no one has been able to fully bring out their unique superhero abilities. However, they are now under the Marvel Studios umbrella, which means they can finally become part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, or at least coexist with it for the moment.

The movie, titled “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” is set in a different universe: Earth-828, rather than the one where most Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) events have occurred so far, which is Earth-616. This separation allows the characters to break free from any established continuity or lore within the Marvel Multiverse, making them the central figures of their unique tale. Simultaneously, it offers viewers relief from speculating about other superheroes and villains’ activities while Galactus (Ralph Ineson) threatens to devour the planet. Looper’s review for “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” commends aspects ranging from the cast to the soundtrack. It executes many elements flawlessly, culminating in a climax that is sure to have significant implications for the MCU’s future.

What you need to remember about the plot of The Fantastic Four: First Steps

Following their encounter with cosmic radiation, Earth’s mightiest team, comprised of Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), and Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn) — collectively known as the Fantastic Four — has been Earth’s most valiant protectors. They’ve spent four years battling villains when, during this period, Sue becomes pregnant. Coincidentally, around the same time, Shalla-Bal, also known as Silver Surfer (Julia Garner), arrives to alert humanity of the approaching threat from Galactus, who intends to consume our planet.

On a distant planet, the Fantastic Four confront Galactus in an attempt to persuade him to spare Earth. Intriguingly, Galactus proposes sparing their world if they’re willing to surrender Sue’s unborn child, Franklin. However, they steadfastly refuse and narrowly escape with their lives. Returning to Earth, they share their determination to find an alternative method to thwart Galactus, despite the general consensus among others to simply sacrifice Franklin.

As a gamer, I discovered another trick up my sleeve. Earlier, I’d managed to teleport an egg from one place to another, which sparked an idea. If we could build teleporters across the globe, maybe we could move our planet out of Galactus’ reach! Humanity rallied together and constructed these devices worldwide, but it seemed like all our efforts were in vain as Silver Surfer arrived to wreck every pad except for one in New York City.

Johnny approached her, explaining he knew her origins and the sacrifice she made for her world and daughter. She’d become the Silver Surfer to save her planet from Galactus, but now, confronted with the mass destruction she’d brought upon countless worlds, she took flight once more.

What happened at the end of The Fantastic Four: First Steps?

With only one teleportation site left, Reed devises a strategy to entice Galactus towards that location, aiming to transport him to the farthest parts of the cosmos. They decide to use Franklin as an attractant, luring Galactus to Earth first before destroying it, but Galactus proves to be more cunning than he appears. He wreaks havoc through a deserted New York City – with its inhabitants evacuated to Subterranea, where Mole Man governs – and seizes Franklin.

Regardless of their best efforts, the Fantastic Four struggle to defeat Galactus until Sue musters every ounce of her mental power to telepathically shove Galactus towards the transport device. Amazingly, this tactic succeeds, with Ben preventing Galactus from damaging any buildings and Reed saving Franklin from Galactus’ grasp. Even though Galactus is forced through the portal, he manages to stretch out a hand towards Earth just as the portal begins to close. Johnny decides to play the hero, flying over New York in an attempt to push Galactus through the gateway one last time, sacrificing himself in the process. Yet, Shalla-Bal refuses to let him sacrifice himself as an uncle. She rams into Johnny, moving him aside so she can save the day and push Galactus through the portal permanently, joining him in the process.

In a powerful display of her might, Sue leaves Reed unable to detect a pulse. The team, mourning their lost comrade, gathers around. However, when Reed lays Franklin on Sue’s chest, he calls upon his cosmic powers—the ones Galactus desired—to bring his mom back to life. A year later, the Fantastic Four continue to be cherished heroes, having saved Earth once more.

Does The Fantastic Four: First Steps have a post-credits scene?

In “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” not only is there a mid-credits scene but also a post-credits scene, and it’s recommended you don’t leave your seat just yet because unlike most Marvel post-credits scenes that haven’t delivered on their promises, it seems one or both of these bonus scenes will indeed have an impact.

In the scene that plays during the mid-credits, we find ourselves four years ahead, where Franklin can now speak. Sue briefly steps away to fetch a book, but she quickly returns upon hearing an unusual noise. Upon her return, she observes a mysterious figure in a cloak huddled next to Franklin. Removing his metal mask reveals this character as Doctor Doom, hinting at his role as the main adversary in “Avengers: Doomsday.” Although Robert Downey Jr.’s face is hidden, it’s evident that this is indeed Doctor Doom. It seems that like Galactus, Doctor Doom has some personal interest in Franklin’s cosmic abilities.

The ending scene after the credits in “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” leans toward comedic movie tags. It features an intro theme song from the cartoon series of the same universe, complete with 1960s-style animation that swiftly showcases each member’s unique powers. Finally, their robotic companion H.E.R.B.I.E., voiced by Matthew Wood, shuts off the TV set. This scene doesn’t hint at any upcoming films, but it does add a fun touch to reinforce the ’60s atmosphere that runs throughout the movie.

What does the end of The Fantastic Four: First Steps mean?

In “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” a key message is that family prevails over all challenges. The movie emphasizes the strong bond among the Fantastic Four, such as sharing dinner every Sunday evening. Despite Galactus’ attempt to divide them, the story underscores their unbreakable family ties. When the world pressures Sue and Reed to surrender their child for the sake of saving the planet, they persevere in finding an alternative solution, demonstrating the power of family unity.

In this adaptation of the comics, Shalla-Bal steps into the role of the Silver Surfer, previously held by Norrin Radd. While they were lovers in the original storyline, Norrin is absent here. Instead, it’s revealed that Shalla-Bal has a child. When Galactus threatens her homeworld, Zenn-La, she volunteers to be his herald to safeguard her loved ones. However, in her role as the Silver Surfer, she’s responsible for the destruction of numerous worlds and families. In an attempt to make up for these actions, Shalla-Bal plays a crucial part in getting Galactus through a wormhole, serving as a form of atonement.

Johnny demonstrates a deep commitment to his family in various ways, showing that he would sacrifice himself to ensure his nephew’s safety. He went so far as to volunteer for Galactus, risking his own existence, if it meant preserving the world and shielding his loved ones. His claim of being an exceptional uncle was no idle boast.

What has director Matt Shakman said about the ending of The Fantastic Four: First Steps?

In its sixth phase and seventeenth year, the Marvel Cinematic Universe presents a fresh perspective with “The Fantastic Four: First Steps.” Unlike previous films and shows, this one is set in an entirely different universe, offering newcomers an uncomplicated entry point into the story without needing prior knowledge. Director Matt Shakman was given creative freedom, allowing him to concentrate on crafting a comprehensive “Fantastic Four” tale, which he successfully achieved.

Shakman conversed with TechRadar about how it was a relief not to need to consider future Marvel ventures while crafting his movie. He explained, “You don’t have to watch other Marvel films or series to enjoy it.” There are no hidden references or other superheroes. It’s solely focused on them, their universe, and their narrative.” This self-contained approach also applied to the ending of “First Steps,” where there was no obligation to set up “Avengers: Doomsday” or another “Fantastic Four” film. “What happens next is left for others to decide,” Shakman clarified. “Eventually, they’ll unite with Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, and it will be exciting to witness that.

It’s highly likely that they will unite before too long. In one of the post-credit scenes from “Thunderbolts”, the New Avengers inspected an unusual spaceship that bore the emblem of the Fantastic Four as it entered their universe. We might see them traveling across dimensions at some point in “Avengers: Doomsday”, but the precise motivation behind their multiverse journey is yet to be determined by the creative team responsible for “Doomsday”.

Does The Fantastic Four: First Steps have an alternate ending?

There’s a chance that the original ending for “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” could’ve been different. It’s speculated that an additional ending may surface on the Blu-ray edition. This alternate ending could potentially reveal why the Fantastic Four are traveling to Earth-616, or delve into Doctor Doom’s master plan. At present, this is just a rumor and not confirmed fact, but it’s exciting to speculate about the potential possibilities.

On July 19, 2025, entertainment news source @MyTimeToShineH shared on X that initially for “Fantastic Four: First Steps,” they had planned a post-credits scene featuring Chris Evans as Nomad warning them. However, this was replaced with one starring Doom and later evolved into two post-credits scenes. The final version includes a scene with Doom (with his back turned to Sue) and a humorous segment about the Fantastic Four cartoon. Unfortunately, there’s no sign of Evans in the finished product, leading to speculation about whether he filmed a scene or if it was merely an idea that surfaced during production. It’s plausible that this was just a rumor and never part of the actual plans.

Despite persistent speculation, Chris Evans maintains that he won’t appear in “Avengers: Doomsday.” However, there’s a possibility he might reprise his role as a villain in the movie, similar to Robert Downey Jr.’s return as Doctor Doom. Marvel is known for keeping secrets, so they’re unlikely to reveal everything ahead of the film’s premiere. If Evans does return, it may be challenging to keep the news under wraps until the movie hits theaters, but don’t be shocked if they attempt to do exactly that.

What the end of The Fantastic Four: First Steps could mean for the MCU

In the conclusion of “First Steps,” the Fantastic Four manage to subdue Galactus, ensuring Earth’s security for a while, barring any potential threats from hidden adversaries such as Puppet Master and Wizard. The film’s commercial success remains uncertain, but it has garnered praise from critics. This production undoubtedly marks a positive shift for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), which has been somewhat aimless lately. Therefore, we can expect to see more of Marvel’s original team in the upcoming years.

In the upcoming film “Avengers: Doomsday,” Doctor Doom is taking on the role as the main antagonist, and he has a significant history with the Fantastic Four. Despite not being the leader of the Avengers, there will still be plenty of opportunities for Reed Richards in future Avengers movies. It seems that a quote from Matt Shakman about Reed leading the Avengers was taken out of context by some online readers; it was likely just referring to Reed’s common roles within the comic books.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Pedro Pascal clarified Matt Lieberman’s comments about Reed Richards: “Matt was discussing a version of Reed Richards where, in the comics, the Fantastic Four join the Avengers and Reed takes on a mission leadership role. However, this is different from what we’re working on.” Despite not being the leader, it’s clear that the Fantastic Four will play a significant role in shaping the future of the franchise.

How will the Fantastic Four get into Earth-616?

It’s evident that the Fantastic Four’s upcoming mission is titled “Avengers: Doomsday.” The mid-credit scene reveals that Victor von Doom exists in their universe and has an interest in Franklin. From what we know from “Thunderbolts,” the Fantastic Four eventually travel to Earth-616. Interestingly, the post-credits scene of “Thunderbolts” was directed by the Russo brothers, who are also directing “Doomsday.” This post-credits scene essentially connects the two films.

*Note: “Thunderbolts” is a Marvel Comics team that may be referenced in future MCU projects but has not yet been officially announced or confirmed.

It’s yet unknown what Doom’s final scheme entails, but it could very well involve seizing Franklin’s cosmic powers for dominion over multiple universes. Given his stealthy infiltration into the Baxter Building without being detected, it seems plausible that he has access to teleportation or magical abilities. Maybe he can traverse realities and abducted Franklin to Earth-616 as a means of escaping the Fantastic Four. It wouldn’t be shocking if Reed Richards, with his advanced knowledge, has mastered multiversal travel as well, leading the team to follow him to that Earth in an attempt to retrieve Franklin.

While this is just an idea, it could provide a logical transition for Earth-616’s superheroes to become part of Doctor Doom’s narrative. The Fantastic Four could serve as the messengers of Doom, informing their new allies about his schemes and enlisting the New Avengers (alongside any other nearby heroes) to aid them in thwarting his plans.

What’s next for the Fantastic Four?

The Fantastic Four will show up in the upcoming movie “Avengers: Doomsday” and may also play a role in “Avengers: Secret Wars.” At this point, only one other confirmed Marvel Cinematic Universe film is set to be released, titled “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” which is slated for July 31, 2026. The movies “Doomsday” and “Secret Wars” are expected to hit theaters in December of 2026 and 2027, respectively. Additionally, Marvel Studios has a movie scheduled for release on July 23, 2027, which is currently untitled. It’s likely that this film won’t be a sequel to the Fantastic Four, but it could potentially be “Doctor Strange 3.” As we approach the conclusion of the Multiverse Saga with “Secret Wars,” this may have significant implications for Marvel’s original family.

Kevin Feige discussed with Variety how the “Secret Wars” will pave the way for a reorganization of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s timeline, using the term “reset” instead of “reboot.” This seems to imply that after the events of “Secret Wars,” there will be one primary reality moving forward, putting an end to most multiverse-related complications. This would make it easier for the Fantastic Four to join the main narrative and share the screen with established heroes such as the Avengers and X-Men. If you’re eagerly waiting for a “First Steps” sequel, you might have to be patient until 2028.

2025-07-25 02:01