*INCLUDES SPOILERS FOR FANTASTIC FOUR FIRST STEPS*
The Fantastic Four: First Steps has hit theaters, bringing Marvel’s First Family to the MCU in a vibrant, retro-futuristic 1960s setting on Earth-828. Directed by Matt Shakman, the film introduces Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm/Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm/Human Torch (Joseph Quinn), and Ben Grimm/The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) through a brisk opening montage that sets the stage for their established heroism. While the main narrative focuses on cosmic threats like Galactus and Silver Surfer, a brief but tantalizing glimpse of classic Fantastic Four villains—Red Ghost, Mad Thinker, and Puppet Master—has fans hyped about their potential return, since they were basically cut(Red Ghost) from the film. We learned this as the director for First Steps-Matt Shakman, chatted with EW.
Villains Introduced(Partially) in The Fantastic Four: First Steps
- Red Ghost (Ivan Kragoff): Played by John Malkovich, Red Ghost, a Soviet scientist turned intangible and invisible villain, was initially set to have a significant role, including scenes with his super-powered Super-Apes. Unfortunately, these scenes were cut due to the film’s need to balance introducing the Fantastic Four and their world. Shakman praised Malkovich’s performance, calling him “brilliant” and expressing regret over the cuts, hinting that Red Ghost’s story might not be over yet. A brief montage shows Reed battling one of the Super-Apes, and an animated post-credits scene features Red Ghost, keeping his presence alive in the narrative.
- Mad Thinker (Julius): This evil genius, known for his predictive intellect and robotics expertise, appears only in passing during the opening newsreel-style montage, which highlights the Fantastic Four’s past victories. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in Fantastic Four #15 (1963), Mad Thinker’s rivalry with Reed Richards makes him a compelling foe. While no actor was confirmed for the role, Shakman’s comments suggest he could return, possibly leveraging his history of collaborating with other villains like Puppet Master.
- Puppet Master (Philip Masters): Another Lee and Kirby creation from Fantastic Four #8 (1962), Puppet Master uses radioactive clay to control people through puppets. Mentioned by Reed as one of the criminal masterminds he’s been tracking, Puppet Master’s brief nod in the film ties to his comic book connections with Doctor Doom and the Thing’s love interest, Alicia Masters. Though not physically shown, his inclusion in the montage and Shakman’s optimism about future appearances open the door for his manipulative schemes in upcoming projects.
Final Thoughts
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is now playing in theaters, delivering a thrilling introduction to Marvel’s First Family and teasing multiple villains that could shape the MCU’s future. While Red Ghost, Mad Thinker, and Puppet Master only get fleeting mentions, Matt Shakman’s comments and the film’s strategic nods suggest they’re far from forgotten. Whether they return to challenge the Fantastic Four on Earth-828 or cross paths with Doctor Doom in the multiverse, these classic villains are poised to leave their mark on the MCU.
