Summary
Marvel Studios made a major splash withThe Fantastic Four: First Stepsat this weekend’s San Diego Comic-Con. Lucky attendees of the Hall H panel were thrilled to receive an exclusive SDCC memorabilia featuring an intriguing map of New York City that reveals some exciting details about the upcoming 2025 film.
Although production for Marvel’sThe Fantastic Fourhas yet to enter full-scale production, the new map of MCU’sFantastic Four’sNew York City offers an intriguing glimpse into the film’s setting. We get a closer look at the Baxter Building,which dexterously featured in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, having a launch pad named “Excelsior” in honor of the late Stan Lee. The map also reveals the “Yancy Street Neighborhood” and confirms the presence of the “FF Clean Energy Complex” on Governor’s Island. However, the most exciting reveal is Subterranea, which comic fans will recognize as the lair of Harvey Elder’s Mole Man and other monstrous races dwelling deep underground. This revelation suggests the film might introduce a significant new villain to the MCU.
Several images have surfaced featuring a poster with an intriguing map ofMarvel’s The Fantastic Four’sNew York given to fans in Hall H in exchange for their tickets to show support for the movie. This exclusive souvenir highlights various “Points of Interest” from the alternate Earth in whichThe Fantastic Four: First Stepscharacters reside. The map is filled with multiple intriguing locations, but a closer examination suggests the presence of an additional villain, which aligns with rumors thatthe MCU’sFantastic Fourwill face more villains than Galactus. Notably, a location on the map, situated just to the right of the Statue of Liberty, indicates the existence of Subterranea within this version of Manhattan. Additionally, entrances to Subterranea are scattered throughout the map, including near the Baxter Building. In Marvel lore, Subterranea is the domain of Harvey Elder’s Mole Man, along with his Moloids and other subterranean creatures dwelling miles beneath the Earth’s surface. This inclusion of Subterranea strongly implies that Mole Man, one ofTheFantastic Four’smost notorious adversaries long speculated to appear in the film, could be making his way intoThe Fantastic Four: First Steps, whether in a major role or a brief cameo, marking his MCU debut.
There has been speculation that, among other characters,Paul Walter Hauser might portray Mole Man, potentially serving as the film’s initial antagonist, though Marvel Studios has not yet confirmed this. Since Hauser’s casting announcement in May, excitement has surged over the possibility of Mole Man’s inclusion. The casting of Hauser, alongside other actors with undisclosed roles, suggests that some ofThe Fantastic Four’smost infamous villains might appear. However, with Galactus and the Silver Surfer expected to dominate the reboot as the primary villains, it’s possible that Mole Man, along with other villains, might feature in a flashback sequence. Although Hauser has not disclosed his specific role, he says he plans to immerse himself in comics to prepare for his role in the upcoming production. While details are still under wraps, the presence of Subterranea on the map strongly hints at Mole Man’s potential inclusion, leading fans to hope for an extended cameo.
Marvel Studios has unveiled the cast forThe Fantastic Four: First Steps, featuring Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing. Joining them are Ralph Ineson as the planet-devouring villain Galactus,Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal/Silver Surfer, and Paul Walter Hauser, Natasha Lyonne, and John Malkovich in undisclosed roles. The plot revolves around Galactus and Silver Surfer’s plan to annihilate Earth. Director Matt Shakman, known forWandaVision, collaborated with Cam Squires fromWandaVisionand Josh Friedman, co-writer ofAvatar: The Way of Water, on the screenplay, with Eric Pearson, writer ofBlack Widow, recently brought in for a final refinement.
The Fantastic Four: First Stepswill hit theaters on July 28, 2025, marking a key entry in MCU Phase 6.
