WandaVision: Monica's Engineer Was Not Planned To Set Up Fantastic Four

Monica Rambeau's (Teyonah Parris) engineer friend in WandaVision was not planned to set up the Fantastic Four. The MCU's first Disney+ television series focused on the trauma of Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) and her ascension into the role of the Scarlet Witch. WandaVision also introduced Monica Rambeau as an adult, after she was last seen on screen as a child in 2019's Captain Marvel. One significant aspect of WandaVision was the dozens of fan theories the show produced, including one popular theory about an engineer friend of Monica's.

In episode five of WandaVision, "On A Very Special Episode," Monica is already trying to figure out a way to get back into Wanda's Westview hex after Wanda threw her out in episode three, "Now In Color." Monica mentions that she just happens to know an aerospace engineer that would be up to the task of assisting her in her mission to get back into Westview. The mysterious "engineer" line birthed a thousand fan theories about who the engineer could possibly be, with the most popular theory being that it must be Reed Richards, a.k.a Mr. Fantastic, the leader of the Fantastic Four. This theory was popular because it led many fans to believe that WandaVision could set up the first appearance of the Fantastic Four in the MCU. However, episode seven, "Breaking The Fourth Wall," revealed that Monica's engineer was Major Goodner, a brand new character who had no Fantastic Four ties.

After the series finale, WandaVision director Matt Shakman joined a livestream hosted by filmmaker and actor Kevin Smith on YouTube. While talking to Smith, Shakman revealed an interesting tidbit about the intention of Monica's engineer friend. He said:

"We did reshoot a little thing there, changed some dialogue, added the aerospace engineer which was never an intention on our side to set up the Fantastic Four (laughs)."

Monica Rambeau's eyes light up as she powers up

Shakman had also previously stated that while he liked the Reed Richards theory, he outright debunked the notion of Richards somehow appearing as a cameo before the WandaVision finale even aired. While it was great that WandaVision inspired a plethora of fan theories, the creative team behind the show stuck to their intention that the series was meant to focus on Wanda dealing with her grief, and ultimately accepting her loss.

A Fantastic Four introduction would've detracted from that, and really wasn't necessary plot-wise for the show's endgame, which was all about Wanda accepting her role as the Scarlet Witch and letting Vision, her children, and the people of Westview go. Production-wise, it wouldn't have worked, either. Marvel Studios has only recently started meeting with writers for the upcoming Fantastic Four movie, so they likely haven't cast anyone for the major roles yet as well. (There's also no script yet for the film.)

Although a lot of fans were disappointed by the lack of a major cameo via Monica's engineer, the show itself did stick the landing by focusing on Wanda's story. WandaVision began by focusing on Wanda's grief and ended with a new path for her character. There's still a lot of story left to tell for Monica Rambeau as well, so a possible meeting with Monica and Mr. Fantastic in a future MCU show or film shouldn't be ruled out just yet. Anything's possible in the MCU.

Next: What's Next For Monica Rambeau In The MCU After WandaVision

Source: Kevin Smith/YouTube