The Fantastic Four’s newest confirmed character may surprisingly set up the introduction of two powerful villains in the MCU’s Phase 6.

The most recent character for Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four has been confirmed, and their inclusion could set up the introduction of two major villains for the future of the MCU. Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige teased the development of the MCU’s Fantastic Four reboot back in 2019, but it wasn’t until Valentine’s Day 2024 when the four titular stars were confirmed. Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrach were revealed as the cast of The Fantastic Four, and are set to debut as Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm and Ben Grimm, respectively, on July 25, 2025.

After 20th Century Fox made two attempts at bringing Marvel’s First Family into live-action, Marvel Studios is under a lot of pressure to deliver a solid adaptation of the iconic superhero team. Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four is set to release in the MCU’s Phase 6, and will be directed by WandaVision’s Matt Shakman, though not many details have been revealed about the highly-anticipated project. However, a new cast announcement may have teased new details about The Fantastic Four, and could be setting up some major characters for the MCU, two of which have been heavily rumored in recent years.

Shalla-Bal Will Make Her Live-Action Debut In The Fantastic Four

On April 3, 2024, Deadline reported Julia Garner has been cast in The Fantastic Four as a version of the Silver Surfer based on Marvel Comics’ Shalla-Bal. Shalla-Bal made her Marvel Comics debut in 1968’s Silver Surfer #1, introduced as the Empress of Zenn-La and the lover of the original Silver Surfer, Norrin Radd. Interestingly, Shalla-Bal wasn’t a Silver Surfer in Marvel Comics’ main continuity, but did become a Herald of the planet-eater Galactus in the alternate reality of Earth X, giving weight to theories that The Fantastic Four will take place in a different universe to the main MCU.

Shalla-Bal Has Connections To Mephisto & Doctor Doom In Marvel Comics

Shalla-Bal’s connections to the villain Galactus are evident, and the planet-eater has been all but confirmed to debut in the MCU’s The Fantastic Four. However, Shalla-Bal is also connected to two other antagonists in Marvel Comics, Doctor Doom and Mephisto, both of whom have been rumored to be joining the MCU soon. From 1975 to 1982, Shalla-Bal was manipulated by the demon Mephisto in hopes of tormenting Norrin Radd’s Silver Surfer. Mephisto made Shalla-Bal believe she was a regular Latverian citizen, Helena, whom the ruler of Latveria, Doctor Doom, married to get Radd’s Silver Surfer to fight the Fantastic Four.

Shalla-Bal was revealed to have been transformed into the Latverian Helena in 1975’s Fantastic Four #155 .

Shalla-Bal was eventually broken free of this spell and returned to Zenn-La, but her connections to Doctor Doom and Mephisto in Marvel Comics could hint at huge introductions in the MCU’s Phase 6. As the Fantastic Four’s archenemy, Doctor Doom has been heavily rumored to debut in The Fantastic Four. In turn, Mephisto has been the subject of major fan theories concerning the MCU’s Multiverse Saga, as Marvel Studios may have teased Mephisto many times. The sinister demon has been rumored to be debuting in Agatha or Ironheart, but he could also have a major role in The Fantastic Four.

Marvel Studios May Be Replacing Kang The Conqueror In The Best Way

It makes complete sense that Doctor Doom would debut in the MCU, and Mephisto’s scheming and machinations in Marvel Comics would explain his potential actions in manipulating Shalla-Bal in The Fantastic Four. These connections could hint at The Fantastic Four introducing three major villains into the MCU: Doctor Doom, Mephisto and Galactus himself, which could be Marvel Studios’ way of solving a major problem with the Multiverse Saga’s current overarching antagonist. Kang the Conqueror was set up as the Multiverse Saga’s primary villain, but Marvel Studios may have been forced to replace him following Jonathan Majors’ 2023 arrest and conviction.

Following Jonathan Majors’ firing from Marvel Studios, Kang the Conqueror’s future in the MCU was thrown into jeopardy. Some suggested he could simply be recast, though there has been talk of Marvel Studios moving away from Kang entirely. For the latter, introducing several powerful villains into the MCU could be the perfect way to replace Kang, as no one antagonist will be feeling all the pressure. The debuts of Galactus, Doctor Doom and Mephisto in The Fantastic Four could also set up an even greater threat to Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and Marvel’s First Family in the MCU’s upcoming Avengers projects.