How Will 'The Fantastic Four' Tie Into 'Thunderbolts*'?

'Thunderbolts*' features an end-credit scene that ties into the events of 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps'. Here's how the two films will likely connect.

(L to R) Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Pedro Pascal, and Joseph Quinn in 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps'. Photo: Marvel Studios.

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The end-credit scene of 'Thunderbolts' very clearly connects to the events of 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' by revealing their ship arriving in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
There are several possibilities and theories regarding who exactly is on the ship.
This scene likely takes place immediately after the events of 'The Fantastic Four: The First Steps'.

Marvel fans have been waiting what feels like forever for 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps', so it came as no surprise when the team was introduced a little bit early into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, during the end-credit sequence of 'Thunderbolts*'. Even though all we got was a glimpse of their ship entering the atmosphere, excitement rippled through social media thanks to the fandom.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps

"Welcome to the family."

PG-131 hr 55 minJul 25th, 2025

Showtimes & Tickets

Against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, Marvel's First Family is forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their... Read the Plot

While we cannot say for sure yet who is on The Fantastic Four ship and how exactly the events of both films will connect, we can make some pretty good guesses. One thing is for sure, the speculation that the majority of 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' is not set in the Marvel universe we know and love must be accurate, considering The New Avengers team reveals the ship is an interdimensional ship.

**Thunderbolts* End-Credit Scene Explained**

(L to R) Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), John Walker (Wyatt Russell), and Red Guardian/Alexei Shostakov (David Harbour) in Marvel Studios' Thunderbolts*. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. © 2024 Marvel.

For those who do not recall, the end of 'Thunderbolts*' teases the arrival of Marvel's first family by literally bringing them into the MCU, which was a shock to many. The team is now called The New Avengers and is comprised of Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Red Guardian (David Harbour), and Bob, also known as Sentry/Void (Lewis Pullman).

When the team is notified that there is a space crisis, it is then discovered that an interdimensional ship has made its way into the Earth's atmosphere. A close-up on the ship reveals The Fantastic Four logo. There are no more details other than that, which has set the internet ablaze with speculation.

But Who Could Actually Be On The Fantastic Four Ship?

(L to R) Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic and Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch in 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios' 'Fantastic Four: First Steps'. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios. © 2025 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2025 Marvel.

There are many theories about who is actually arriving via The Fantastic Four ship. Most fans do not believe that it will actually be the first family, which includes Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn), and Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach). We know that Sue Storm is not only pregnant with her first born, Franklin Richards, in 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps', but also that she births him because he is seen as a baby in some of the TV spots and trailers.

Comic book readers know how smart this young child is, so it is not far-fetched to think that he is alone on that ship, off looking for help for his planet now that Galactus (Ralph Ineson), the planet eating, monsterous villain, has come to devour it. That said, I highly doubt that is accurate.

Others think that Franklin might be on the ship with Doctor Doom (Robert Downey Jr.), which will be revealed during the end-credit scene of 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps'. While there is a good chance the connection of the two movies will be confirmed during the end-credit scene, not having the core four characters be on the ship is unlikely. That said, the possibilities are (almost) endless.

Looking at the trailers that have been revealed to the public, it can be inferred that Sue Storm is pregnant when Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) arrives to tell the planet that they will be consumed by Galactus soon, but that she gives birth shortly after, because Franklin is shown later on, several times. However, fans have learned to never trust a Marvel trailer, because if you remember, Hulk was shown fighting in the 'Avengers: Infinity War' trailer and yet he was not in the entire movie. Not even once.

The greatest possibility is that the entire family is on board the ship, with Doom hot on their tails - he has to arrive in the MCU somehow before 'Avengers: Doomsday'. This would mean that their home universe was destroyed and they needed to find somewhere else to live, an easy task for Reed Richards. If they did indeed defeat Galactus, then there is a chance Doom has kidnapped Richard using the family's ship, and they will be eventually following behind it.

Will Galactus Appear In Any Other MCU Projects?

Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal/Silver Surfer in 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios' 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps.' Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios. © 2025 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2025.

The most likely scenario out of all of the above is that Galactus succeeds in consuming the home of The Fanastic Four, forcing them into another dimension. Possibly to save only themselves, or some people that they were able to rescue (similar to how Thor saved some Asgardians after their home was destroyed).

If indeed Galactus has survived, this means that he has the ability to return in the Marvel Cinematic Universe down the line. Considering that he is one of the most powerful, and most beloved Marvel villains, it would be smart to keep him around. The Fantastic Four might be his biggest rival in the comics, but they are not the only one. Seeing him come back, much like Thanos, is something fans would love to see, no matter who he is going up against.

Whatever happens in 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps', we will not have to wait much longer to find out, as the film releases in theaters on July 24th.