BURBANK, CA — Following the massive streaming success of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Marvel Studios is officially heading back to the “City of Tomorrow.” During a surprise press event today, Kevin Feige announced a new prequel project titled “Fantastic Four: First Foes,” slated for release throughout 2026.
The announcement clarifies recent speculation that Marvel would expand the retro-futuristic Earth-828 timeline before the team joins the main MCU continuity in Avengers: Doomsday later that year.
Expanding the “First Steps” Universe
While the 2025 film introduced the team as established celebrities, First Foes will peel back the curtain on the three-year gap between their cosmic accident and the arrival of Galactus.
The project is structured as a series of four “Special Presentations” (similar in format to Werewolf by Night), each focusing on a different classic villain that the team defeated “off-screen” before the events of the first movie.
The confirmed “First Foes” lineup includes:
The Mad Thinker: The first installment, reportedly arriving in March 2026, will detail how Reed Richards’ intellectual rival attempted to turn the city’s own technology against the family.
The Puppet Master: Rumored to explore the origin of Alicia Masters and her first meeting with Ben Grimm.
The Wizard & Diablo: Future installments will highlight the team’s struggles to balance their newfound fame with the emergence of scientifically-enhanced threats.
Creative Team & Continuity
Marvel confirmed that the “special presentation” series will feature the return of the core cast via voice and likeness, though it will primarily utilize a stylized, high-fidelity animation style that mirrors the 1960s “Pop Art” aesthetic of the film’s opening credits.
“There were so many stories we couldn’t fit into a two-hour film,” Feige told reporters. “The world of Earth-828 is so rich and vibrant; we wanted to show fans exactly how the Fantastic Four became the legends they were when we first met them.”
Release Schedule: The Year of the Four
2026 is shaping up to be the biggest year for the franchise since its inception:
First Foes #1: Mad Thinker| Special Presentation- March 2026
First Foes #2: Puppet Master| Special Presentation- June 2026
Spider-Man: Brand New Day| Feature Film- July 31, 2026
First Foes #3: The Wizard| Special Presentation- September 2026
Avengers: Doomsday| Feature Film- December 18, 2026
The move is seen by industry analysts as a strategic way to keep the Fantastic Four at the forefront of the cultural conversation during the long wait for the next Avengers crossover.
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