A Video From The Set Of The Upcoming 'Fantastic Four' Confirms A Return Of A Classic Villian
Image Source: IMDb
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is the newest take on a Fantastic Four film, though it reportedly isn’t an origin story. The team must defend their Earth, a realm themed around 1960s-style retro with a futuristic vibe, from Galactus, a being that consumes planets to sustain himself. That doesn’t seem to be the only villain to feature in this film. A group of urban explorers appears to have found an abandoned film set in an underground mine; from the underground setting to the map labeled Subterranea, this set points to the appearance of the iconic villain, the Mole Man.
In Earth-616, the primary universe in Marvel Comics, The Mole Man was born as Harvey Rupert Elder. As a scientist, he was ridiculed by his peers for seemingly outlandish theories surrounding the Hollow Earth theory. Elder proved his theories to himself in a deep underground realm, but his eyesight was permanently damaged, and he remained secluded underground. The Mole Man utilizes his Moloids, mole-human hybrids, in his schemes; these schemes tend to center around taking over the Earth’s surface. Most notably, the Mole Man is the first villain that the Fantastic Four faced, becoming a recurring antagonist in the comics. In Earth-9997, his origins are similar, though following the mutation of mankind and the Earth seemingly due to Reed Richards and his experiments, their relationship shifts into something less antagonistic; this is potentially relevant as one character, Shalla-Bal as the Silver Surfer, is pulled from this universe. While the film could take these characters in different directions, recognizing their origins and basic motivations can be valuable.
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Image Source: Marvel Database
While the Mole Man now seems to be confirmed as a villain appearing in the film, the primary villain of First Steps will be Galactus, played by Ralph Ineson. Joining Ineson will be Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic, Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal/Silver Surfer, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing, among a variety of actors whose characters have not been confirmed. The Fantastic Four: First Steps is in the post-production phase, according to IMDb, and is aiming to release on July 25, 2025.
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