As Marvel Studios prepares to introduce the Fantastic Four into the main Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), fans are growing concerned that their highly anticipated debut in The Fantastic Four: First Steps may come at a high cost—possibly the loss of a key character.
A Long-Awaited Arrival
The Fantastic Four, often referred to as Marvel’s “First Family,” have been notably absent from the MCU timeline, despite their central role in the comic book universe. Audiences first glimpsed a multiverse variant of Reed Richards in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022), but First Steps will mark the formal arrival of the core team into the main MCU continuity.
With the movie’s release scheduled for July 25, 2025, trailers and promotional materials suggest a dramatic narrative ahead, including a confrontation with the cosmic entity Galactus. This introduces the possibility of immense destruction—not just for the Fantastic Four’s original world, but potentially for the MCU as a whole.
A Planet in Peril
Clues from a post-credits scene in Thunderbolts* reinforce these concerns. In the scene, the New Avengers observe a ship—presumably belonging to the Fantastic Four—emerging through a multiversal portal into their reality. This suggests that the team may have been forced to flee their homeworld in the face of Galactus’ impending annihilation.
Rather than introducing Galactus as a new threat to the MCU’s Earth, the narrative appears to pivot on the destruction of an alternate world. While this shift could lessen the emotional weight of planetary devastation, Marvel may offset this by focusing the film’s emotional stakes on the loss of a more personal character.
Who Will Be the Sacrifice?
Killing off background characters may not evoke the depth of emotional response Marvel typically seeks. To reinforce the seriousness of the situation, a more meaningful loss might be required—one closer to the audience and the protagonists. However, given the franchise’s investment in its main heroes, it is unlikely that any of the core four—Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, or Ben Grimm—will be killed in their debut film.
Instead, attention has turned to H.E.R.B.I.E., a robotic character from the comics who appears to have a significant role in First Steps. Director Matt Shakman recently described H.E.R.B.I.E. as “absolutely as important and as alive as any other member of the cast” and “definitely a member of the family,” hinting at a deeper emotional arc.
H.E.R.B.I.E.’s Heartbreaking Potential
Footage from trailers shows a growing bond between H.E.R.B.I.E. and Ben Grimm (The Thing), including scenes of them cooking together—an unlikely yet endearing friendship. Shakman also noted that H.E.R.B.I.E. is “charming, funny—but he also will break your heart,” implying the robot could face a tragic fate.
In fact, H.E.R.B.I.E.’s comic book history supports this speculation. In Fantastic Four #217, the character sacrifices himself to save the team, a storyline that could be adapted to illustrate the stakes in First Steps.
A Pattern of Emotional Loss
Marvel has long embraced emotionally charged deaths as narrative anchors. From Yondu’s sacrifice in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 to the multiple deaths of Vision, the studio has consistently humanized non-human characters and turned their losses into defining emotional moments. H.E.R.B.I.E. could be next in line to carry that torch—especially if his sacrifice helps the team escape Galactus and enter the primary MCU universe.
Though not officially confirmed, fan discourse has already latched onto this theory. Comments on ScreenRant’s discussion threads include speculation that H.E.R.B.I.E. will stay behind to keep the multiverse portal open while the Fantastic Four flee, reinforcing the idea of his heroic end.
Looking Ahead
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is poised to reshape the MCU by reintroducing one of Marvel’s most iconic superhero teams. While the spotlight will understandably focus on the four titular heroes, it may be their robotic companion who delivers the film’s emotional crescendo.
With less than three months until its premiere, Marvel fans are bracing for what could be one of the franchise’s most emotionally resonant chapters to date.
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