Howard Stark’s Return Could Change Everything for The Fantastic Four!

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Summary

  • The MCU may bring back Howard Stark in The Fantastic Four: First Steps to connect past Marvel events.
  • The film may not be set in the ’60s, but Howard Stark’s backstory could naturally fit in the narrative.
  • Howard Stark’s role might pave the way for other classic MCU characters to make appearances in the movie.

In a potential twist for the new Fantastic Four film, an infrequently seen Marvel Cinematic Universe character could be introduced. This character might help establish a smooth link between the fresh superhero squad and the broader franchise. Given that the movie takes place in a 1960s-inspired universe, if its timeline and reality coincide with the main MCU events, it’s quite possible we’ll see an old friend return to the scene.

As a movie buff, I’ve always admired the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) for its audacious approach to storytelling, manipulating narrative rules such as time travel and the multiverse to resurrect characters. Lately, they’ve even been cleverly recasting actors in new roles, like Chris Evans reprising his role as the Human Torch in an unexpected appearance or Robert Downey Jr. making a comeback as Doctor Doom. However, the upcoming film The Fantastic Four: First Steps could bring back a character in a manner that truly aligns with the plot’s progression. And here’s a twist: it’s not the Stark fans might be expecting.

Howard Stark Must Return In The Fantastic Four: First Steps

Connecting The MCU’s Past & Present

Character Howard Stark
Actor(s) John Slattery (older), Dominic Cooper (younger)
Affliations
  • Stark Industries
  • S.H.I.E.L.D
  • U.S. Military
Family Maria Stark (wife), Tony Stark (son)
Death Killed by the Winter Soldier (Bucky Barnes) in 1991 under HYDRA’s orders

In terms of written narrative, Howard Stark may appear as simply a supporting character on the surface; however, fans are well aware that he’s far from ordinary. As the founder of Stark Industries, his actions have significantly impacted historical events, notably in the creation of Iron Man and Captain America. He is indeed an integral piece of Marvel lore. With the reboot of The Fantastic Four and its official integration into the MCU, the chance to involve Howard Stark becomes an opportunity that should not be missed.

To date, it remains unclear whether “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” is indeed set during the 1960s or if it employs a retro-futuristic style. The world depicted in the trailer might not necessarily be Earth-616, the main Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) reality. As things stand, there’s no hint that characters from the established universe will feature in the movie. However, if all pieces fall into place, Howard Stark could make a fantastic addition to the film.

How Tony Stark’s Father Can Be Reintroduced In F4

Scientist Connection With Reed Richards

In “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” it’d be effortless for Marvel to introduce Howard Stark. Known as Mister Fantastic, Reed Richards is a genius of his era and a significant figure in the scientific community. He and Howard could have been contemporaries, collaborating on some innovative technology, perhaps something involving the Tesseract, which would serve as an excellent reference. Another option is that Howard could be a rival to Reed in the field, although this role usually belongs to Victor Von Doom, aka Doctor Doom, in their usual tales.

Marvel’s S.H.I.E.L.D. And A Secret Society

In my perspective, it’s not just Reed Richards who shares a strong bond with Howard Stark in the Marvel Comics universe, but rather his father, Nathaniel Richards. In the S.H.I.E.L.D. series by Jonathan Hickman, both Howard and Nathaniel are members of the clandestine Brotherhood of the Shield, alongside influential figures like Leonardo da Vinci and Isaac Newton. Nathaniel’s ties run deep into time travel and parallel realities, frequently intertwining with Kang the Conqueror. Although Howard may not be as directly involved, it doesn’t rule out the possibility that his journey might intersect with Nathaniel’s son, who leads The Fantastic Four.

The Fantasticar’s MCU Origins

In the highly fitting title of Fantasticar, serving as their main transportation, was introduced for the first time in the The Fantastic Four: First Steps teaser trailer and at the 2024 San Diego Comic-Con. Remarkably, its structure seems to echo the design of the flying car prototype showcased at the 1943 World Exposition of Tomorrow, later recognized as the Stark Expo. It’s intriguing to speculate that the Fantasticar may have been custom built by Howard Stark specifically for Marvel’s First Family. If this is the case, it would be an impressive culmination in Phase 6 for a setup that traces back to Marvel’s initial phase, Phase 1.

Marvel’s Fantastic Four Will Skip The Origin

The Gap Could Be Filled By Howard Stark’s Backstory

In other words, there’s still an opportunity for Howard Stark’s past to be integrated within “The Fantastic Four: First Steps“. As Kevin Feige has already mentioned, this film won’t heavily emphasize the team’s origin story. Similar to how Spider-Man was brought into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), his classic origin tale wasn’t retold; instead, the upcoming “Fantastic Four” movie will tie in with the broader MCU, serving as a continuation rather than a complete reboot.

As someone captivated by this well-known tale, I’m eager to share our innovative approach. While many are familiar with its foundations, our aim is to present an unprecedented perspective. We’ve challenged ourselves to elevate the narrative to new heights, striving to deliver a screen adaptation that will surprise even those well-versed in its origins.

Could First Steps Introduce More Classic MCU Characters?

Stepping into the realm of cinematic critique, let me express my thoughts: Introducing Howard Stark in this particular timeline isn’t merely a one-off event. It subtly opens up opportunities for other iconic figures like Peggy Carter and Hank Pym, characters who would have been at their zenith during that period. The prospect of these legacy characters intertwining with the Fantastic Four elevates the crossover experience, making it more holistic. Visualize Reed Richards aiding a budding Hank Pym in the creation of the Ant-Man suit. Given Peggy Carter’s multiverse appearances, such as in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, another return seems less unexpected.

Dominic Cooper Should Return As Howard Stark

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, we’ve seen two distinct portrayals of Howard Stark. Dominic Cooper played the younger version, appearing in movies like “Captain America: The First Avenger” and “Agent Carter.” On the other hand, John Slattery portrayed the older version, interacting with Tony Stark across films such as “Iron Man 2” via a posthumous film reel and emotionally connecting in a time-travel scene from “Avengers: Endgame.” For the upcoming “Fantastic Four: First Steps,” it would make more sense to have Dominic Cooper return, given that he has naturally aged and now closely resembles how Howard Stark might look in the 1960s.

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2025-03-11 20:06