One major The Fantastic Four theory creates a dangerous plot hole in the MCU, but this can be solved by changing the origin story of the titular team.

Even though one major theory concerning The Fantastic Four may create a huge MCU plot hole, Marvel Studios has the opportunity to solve it by changing the origin story of Marvel’s First Family’s powers. The Fantastic Four is set to release on July 25, 2025, introducing Pedro Pascal’s Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby’s Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn’s Human Torch and Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s the Thing into the MCU’s Phase 6. The highly-anticipated live-action reboot was teased by Kevin Feige in 2019, but recent updates surrounding Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four have spurred theories that could change the shape of the MCU forever.

In recent months, Marvel Studios hasn’t only confirmed the main cast of The Fantastic Four, but has also teased the project’s potential 1960s setting, and added Julia Garner’s Shalla-Bal, a.k.a. the Silver Surfer, to the roster. New details emerging from the development of Matt Shakman’s MCU feature film directorial debut have also teased the possibility of The Fantastic Four taking place in an alternate universe, but this runs the risk of creating a massive plot hole in the Multiverse Saga. However, Marvel Studios only has to change the details of the Fantastic Four’s origin story to solve this impending problem.

Galactus Has Been All But Confirmed For The Fantastic Four

Galactus Made His Marvel Comics’ Debut In 1966’s Fantastic Four #48

For quite some time, The Fantastic Four has been heavily rumored to be introducing Galactus to the MCU. The cosmic planet-eater is one of Marvel Comics’ most recognizable and dangerous supervillains, as the ancient being scours the universe seeking out worlds that he consumes in order to sustain his life force. Galactus made his Marvel Comics debut in 1966’s Fantastic Four #48, as he planned to devour Earth before moving on to the next world. However, he was opposed by the Fantastic Four and his former Herald, Norrin Radd’s Silver Surfer, who eventually defeated the villain and saved the day.

Galactus previously appeared in live-action in 2007’s Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer , though this version was depicted as a hurricane-like cloud.

While Galactus still hasn’t been officially confirmed to be appearing in The Fantastic Four, Julia Garner’s casting as Shalla-Bal’s Silver Surfer all but confirms the planet-eater’s involvement. In Marvel Comics, Galactus employs Heralds, who traverse the universe on the hunt for suitable worlds for him to devour. It’s Norrin Radd’s Silver Surfer who scouts Earth, but this responsibility could fall on Shalla-Bal’s Silver Surfer in The Fantastic Four. Rumors have placed actors including Javier Bardem and Antonio Banderas as the MCU’s Galactus, and one theory suggests the villain may be more crucial to the development of the Fantastic Four themselves.

The Fantastic Four Could Get Their Powers From Galactus In The MCU

The Fantastic Four Were Exposed To Cosmic Rays In Marvel Comics

The known origin story of the Fantastic Four features Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm and Ben Grimm heading out on their mission to be the first Americans in space. Unfortunately, the quartet is exposed to cosmic rays in space, which transforms them into superpowered beings, and while it takes a while for them to come to terms with their abilities, they put them to good use as the Fantastic Four. However, one theory posed by Reddit user Character_Mind_671 suggests that this origin story could be changed in the MCU, with Galactus instead imbuing the Fantastic Four with their powers.

While it could seem unnecessary for the Fantastic Four’s origin story to be changed, there is precedent for this to be the case, as Galactus often gifts others power in Marvel Comics. Specifically, Galactus’ Heralds have all been enhanced with a small portion of his power that he has acquired from devouring worlds, solar systems and other cosmic beings. This is known as the Power Cosmic, and could be the source of the Fantastic Four’s impressive abilities in the MCU’s Phase 6, particularly since other individuals imbued with the Power Cosmic are expected to make appearances in the upcoming project.

The Fantastic Four May Introduce The Power Cosmic To The MCU

The Power Cosmic Has Almost Unlimited Capabilities In Marvel Comics & The MCU

Although first seen alongside Galactus’ Marvel Comics debut in 1966’s Fantastic Four #48, the Power Cosmic wasn’t introduced by name until 1968’s Silver Surfer #2. The Power Cosmic was revealed to be a source of unlimited cosmic energy that is often wielded by god-like beings akin to Galactus. Harnessing this power gifts Galactus a huge array of remarkable abilities, such as universal cosmic awareness, telepathy and telekinesis, teleportation, being able to create force fields and interdimensional portals, and even resurrect the dead, so the Power Cosmic makes Galactus one of the most formidable, dangerous and significant characters in Marvel Comics.

As well as harnessing the Power Cosmic for himself, Galactus also imbues his Heralds with a portion of this power, meaning Silver Surfer’s such as Norrin Radd and Shalla-Bal are also able to access the Power Cosmic. The fact that Shalla-Bal is set to debut in The Fantastic Four means the Power Cosmic could finally be coming to the MCU, too. Galactus potentially gifting some of the Power Cosmic to the Fantastic Four would make them some of the most powerful characters in the MCU, and could also help to solve a major plot hole created by one popular theory.

The Power Cosmic Could Justify The Main MCU Timeline Keeping An Alternate Universe Fantastic Four

The Fantastic Four Could Expand The MCU’s Multiverse Saga More Than Any Previous Project

One popular theory suggests that The Fantastic Four will be set in an alternate reality to the MCU’s main continuity, answering the question as to why the Fantastic Four haven’t been seen or mentioned in the MCU, despite the project’s suspected 1960s setting. Indeed, the Fantastic Four are expected to be joining the MCU’s main timeline, and theories suggest that Galactus could devour The Fantastic Four’s alternate Earth, forcing the titular team to relocate to Earth-616. However, this creates a major problem, as the Fantastic Four wouldn’t be able to safely join the MCU proper without causing an incursion event.

Earth-838’s Reed Richards described incursions as events that occur “when the boundary between two universes erodes, destroying one or both entirely.”

By changing the Fantastic Four’s origin story – having Galactus gift them their abilities, rather than cosmic rays in Earth’s orbit – Marvel Studios creates the perfect opportunity to explain away this problem. The Power Cosmic has almost unlimited possibilities, so it could allow the Fantastic Four to make the move to Earth-616 without running the risk of causing an incursion. Of course, an incursion caused by the Fantastic Four could prove important to Avengers: Secret Wars’ plot, but it would be great for The Fantastic Four to connect the team more closely to one of their most significant adversaries.