The Marvel Cinematic Universe will soon be adapting The Fantastic Four into its franchise, bringing with them plenty of potential members of their comic book Rogues' Gallery. While the film is still in its early stages of development, fans are already eagerly anticipating which villain Marvel's First Family might square off against in their debut.
Though Doctor Doom seems like the obvious choice for the Fantastic Four's first foray into the MCU, the stature of such a villain might be better suited for a sequel in the franchise, leaving the door wide open for a different antagonist to appear first. Fans on Reddit have weighed in on this subject with their own suggestions.
Mole Man
Redditor pagingdrsolus believes that the Fantastic Four's first nemesis in the MCU should be the same as their first villain in their comic book history. They write, "[I want] Mole Man, as [he] was their first villain in the comics." Mole Man is a subterranean supervillain who rules a group of Moloids, who do his wicked bidding.
While the Mole Man is not as well-known a character as Doctor Doom or Galactus, most comic fans are familiar with the classic villain. His introduction would bring with it the concept of Subterranea, the realm beneath Earth's surface, to the MCU, opening up new doors for Earth-bound storytelling, perhaps even including the infamous Subterranean Wars.
Super Skrull
"Super Skrull makes perfect sense," reasons FictionFantom, referring to the Skrull supervillain Kl'rt capable of adopting superpowers, "The first villain in a franchise is often a 'dark mirror' of the main hero(es). Maybe they could even twist their origin so that he gives them their powers instead of him copying their powers."
Super Skrull has been involved in some truly fantastic storylines with Marvel's First Family, several of which could blend nicely with the MCU's current narrative. With a Secret Invasion event well on its way, the Skrulls are sure to play a heavy role in the franchise's future, with Super Skrull at the forefront of the conflict. Even if Kl'rt doesn't serve as the main antagonist in Fantastic 4, fans can count on his live-action debut in the near future.
Molecule Man
"If they plan to do 'Secret Wars' and already set up the Multiverse, I'd like to see them at least hint at Owen Reese, writes Phil_Fear, alluding to the extremely powerful supervillain known as Molecule Man, whose creation was the very event that alerted the otherworldly Beyonder to the existence of Earth-616 in the comics.
Molecule Man is one of the most powerful Earthbound supervillains to show up in Marvel Comics and is an integral part of the first "Secret Wars" event in 1984, which the MCU seems destined to adapt in a future Avengers film. While Marvel Studios continues to build up this crossover, Owen Reese could serve as a superb primary antagonist when the Fantastic Four makes its first appearance in the MCU.
Franklin Richards
Will-Watches has a family drama in mind starring Franklin Richards as the main villain of Fantastic 4, explaining that they love "the exploration of familial pressure and generational trauma in recent movies." They also reason that Marvel could "do something similar with... Reed pushing Franklin too far."
Since John Krasinski's appearance in Multiverse of Madness, many fans have wondered where Reed Richards might show up next in the MCU. However, his cameo has also raised all-new questions, including those pertaining to his family. If the MCU is truly planning on bringing the Richards children into the franchise already, setting up a future version of Franklin Richards as the villain would provide an adequately emotional first villain for the team, as well as set up Kang the Conqueror's appearance, as he too is a descendant of Reed Richards in the comics.
Puppet Master
A Redditor by the handle the_chapel_perilous believes that the Puppet Master could be a great choice for the Fantastic Four's first solo appearance in the MCU, alluding to the fact that he is the stepfather of Alicia Masters, the longtime lover of the Thing in the comics. This connection, they say, "could play up the family aspect" of the film.
The Puppet Master is truly a terrifying villain that has yet to get his due on the big screen. His power to control real-life people through the use of his clay puppets could wreak absolute havoc on Marvel's First Family as they attempt to establish themselves in a world already heavily populated with superheroes.
Annihilus
According to the_chapel_perilous, Annihilus would make an ideal villain for the Fantastic Four's upcoming solo film. They believe that his villainy could serve as the motive for "the adventure part of the film," perhaps indicating that the family of superheroes would have to travel to the Negative Zone, Annihilus's home dimension, to defeat this villain.
Annihilus is one major comic villain of the Fantastic Four who has yet to make his proper first appearance in live-action. If the MCU plans on incorporating the Negative Zone into its franchise, it would be a disservice to both the story and to fans themselves to leave out the ruler of such a dimension.
Kang The Conqueror
TheUltimateNerd05 understands the synergy of the MCU, suggesting that its newly-introduced Kang the Conqueror be the villain of The Fantastic 4. They voice their hope to see a situation wherein the team "become[s] a family to stop the villain who only exists because they are a family."
Kang the Conqueror is one of the most likely options for The Fantastic 4's Big Bad, as the character has already been set up to play a major role in the MCU's future. With Jonathan Majors having already appeared as He Who Remains, a variant of Kang, in Loki, it is only a matter of time before the Conqueror runs afoul of the Fantastic Four.
Blastaar
Tighthead3GT has an entire premise for a "Star Trek-like exploration story with Blastaar as the main villain," wherein the Fantastic Four run across the interdimensional villain on an alien planet that is doomed to be devoured by Galactus.
While Blastaar might not be the most well-known of the Fantastic Four's Rogues' Gallery, he could be the breath of fresh air that fans need after three consecutive FF films featuring Doctor Doom as a major threat. The villain would also be a perfect inclusion should the upcoming film choose to explore the team's adventures in otherworldly dimensions, as has been rumored.
The Inhumans
F4ReserveMember writes that "The Inhumans" should be the villain of the first Fantastic Four film in the MCU. While this idea would have seemed impossible only months ago, Anson Mount's return as Black Bolt in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness has reawakened fan theories regarding the Inhumans in the MCU.
Comics fans know that the Inhumans actually made their debut within the Fantastic Four comics when the team came across their city on the moon. If the MCU plans on rebooting the Inhumans for its own purposes, it would be a great nod to the source material for the race to be re-introduced by the same family that did so in the comics.
Galactus
"Galactus is 100% being set up [for] The Fantastic Four," writes Redditor Balrok99, who voices their sincere hope to see a battle between the Devourer of Worlds and a Celestial, suggesting Arishem the Judge. They even suggest that Galactus get his own film alongside his personal herald, the Silver Surfer.
As one of the greatest cosmic threats in all of Marvel Comics, Galactus is an inevitability for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. After his underwhelming reimagining in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, fans are ready to see the classic character done justice on the big screen, either as an opponent of the Fantastic Four or as an Avengers-level threat. Regardless of when he first appears, fans can rest assured that it is only a matter of time before the Devourer of Worlds sets his sights on Earth in the MCU.