Mind-Blowing Marvel Move: Fantastic Four Gets Epic MCU Makeover Before Debut

Caution! This article contains spoilers for Secret Invasion episode 2.

Marvel Studios has astoundingly replaced the Fantastic Four even before their anticipated debut in Secret Invasion. Although there have been no significant updates on the 2025 Fantastic Four movie, other than the news that WandaVision director Matt Shakman has taken over directing duties from Jon Watts, who helmed the Spider-Man trilogy in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it seems that the MCU has already managed to substitute Marvel's First Family. This revelation comes from Marvel's expansion on Disney+, specifically the ongoing Secret Invasion series.

Many fans might have overlooked the MCU's covert effort to supplant the Fantastic Four since Secret Invasion's premiere viewership was one of the lowest in the MCU. The Disney+ Marvel series revolves around the exploits of Nick Fury, portrayed by Samuel L. Jackson, as he returns to Earth to thwart a Skrull invasion. This extraterrestrial species possesses shape-shifting abilities, allowing them to assume the guise of anyone, keeping both the characters and audience in constant suspense throughout the series. The Skrulls have devised a specific strategy to seize control of Earth, which is unveiled in the second episode of Secret Invasion, envisioning the replacement of the Fantastic Four within the MCU.

Secret Invasion Replaced The Super Skrulls' Fantastic Four Origin

In Secret Invasion episode 2, there were numerous Easter eggs and references, including an exciting Fantastic Four reference. Emilia Clarke's character, G'iah, was investigating the Skrulls' headquarters to gather information about Gravik's intentions. During her search, she encounters scientist Rosa Dalton. A computer search reveals that the Skrulls' plan to conquer Earth relies on the creation of Super-Skrulls, which have ties to the Fantastic Four in the Marvel Comics universe.

In the comics, Kl'rt was the original Super-Skrull and he possessed the combined powers of the Fantastic Four. He was dispatched to Earth by the Skrulls as a response to the previous thwarting of their plan by Marvel's First Family. The second episode of Secret Invasion introduced alternative power sources for the Super-Skrulls, replacing the abilities of the Fantastic Four. In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the Super-Skrulls will derive their powers from samples obtained from the following characters instead of The Thing: Cull Obsidian for strength.

Stretch - Groot instead of Mr. Fantastic.

Fire - Extremis (virus) in place of the Human Torch.

Invisibility - The Frost Beast from Thor: The Dark World rather than the Invisible Woman.

Why Secret Invasion Didn't Use The Fantastic Four

There is a clear reason why Secret Invasion opted not to utilize the Fantastic Four as the source for the powers of the Super-Skrulls. The only appearance of a member from the Fantastic Four in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is John Krasinski's version of Reed Richards in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Marvel intends to make the team's debut in 2025's Fantastic Four film a moment of great impact. While Secret Invasion takes the place of the Fantastic Four in the origin story of the Super-Skrulls, the team may potentially clash with some of the enhanced villains when they finally make their debut in the MCU.