The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ H.E.R.B.I.E. Could Be Hiding A Villainous Twist

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The Fantastic Four: First Steps' H.E.R.B.I.E. Could Be Hiding A Villainous Twist

As a long-time Marvel enthusiast who has spent countless hours delving into the labyrinthine world of comics, I can confidently say that H.E.R.B.I.E., the beloved robotic sidekick of The Fantastic Four, is set to steal the show in the upcoming film, “The Fantastic Four: First Steps.” Natasha Lyonne’s casting as an undisclosed character has fueled speculation that she might be bringing H.E.R.B.I.E.’s endearing charm and sass to life.

The iconic team known as the Fantastic Four are embarking on their initial journey within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. With Matt Shankman from ‘WandaVision’ helming the project, there’s high anticipation among fans for a superior portrayal compared to their past box office performances. The upcoming film titled The Fantastic Four: First Steps is slated for release in 2025, and it promises not only the introduction of the main characters but also the arrival of several well-known figures as they join the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach are set to star as The Fantastic Four. Additionally, the lineup includes Silver Surfer, Galactus, and the highly anticipated Doctor Doom, played by Robert Downey Jr. Moreover, there might be appearances from characters like Mole Man and H.E.R.B.I.E., with H.E.R.B.I.E. being a loyal companion of The Fantastic Four. Since H.E.R.B.I.E. has a rich comic book background, there’s speculation that Shankman might be planning one of his signature MCU villain surprises with this character.

Who is The Fantastic Four’s H.E.R.B.I.E.?

The Fantastic Four: First Steps' H.E.R.B.I.E. Could Be Hiding A Villainous Twist

In a 1978 episode of The New Fantastic Four animated series, the character H.E.R.B.I.E., short for Humanoid Experimental Robot B-Type Integrated Electronics, was introduced as the team’s robotic companion. As the human torch was being considered for a standalone movie at that time, which ultimately didn’t happen, H.E.R.B.I.E. served as his replacement. Due to positive fan reactions, H.E.R.B.I.E. made an appearance in the comics starting from Fantastic Four #209 in 1979.

HERBIE, a robot, was designed by Mr. Fantastic and an obscure character named Master Xar. They built HERBIE to aid them in their quest to locate Galactus and potentially vanquish the villain known as the Sphinx. Throughout the years, different versions of HERBIE have been created, with some variations such as HUBERT, who looked after Franklin Richards, and SHERBIE, a member of S.H.I.E.L.D. However, there’s no news on who will portray HERBIE in the upcoming film “First Steps“. Fans have expressed their disapproval about Ricky Gervais being cast for this role.

Initial artwork for “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” unveiled H.E.R.B.I.E., sparking speculation about his role in the film. This was further hinted at when The Direct obtained a sneak peek of H.E.R.B.I.E. in a fresh Marvel Studios logo displayed at New York Comic-Con. The anticipation is high since this would mark H.E.R.B.I.E.’s first live-action appearance, as the character was omitted from Tim Story’s 2005 “Fantastic Four“. However, his intrigue increases given his potential portrayal as a villain.

Could The Fantastic Four’s H.E.R.B.I.E. be a Secret Villain?

The Fantastic Four: First Steps' H.E.R.B.I.E. Could Be Hiding A Villainous Twist

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but share a chilling tale about technology:

It appears that the plot for this movie is becoming somewhat complex since it needs to establish four main characters and their origins. However, introducing Ralph Ineson’s Galactus and possibly debuting Franklin Richards might hint at why H.E.R.B.I.E., who plays a significant role in the 2018 comic story “Moon Girl And Devil Dinosaur,” is part of the movie. After Reed Richards and Sue Storm disappeared following “Secret Wars”, H.E.R.B.I.E. was given to Moon Girl, mysteriously activating upon Galactus’s arrival.

Pulling an Uno reverse card, H.E.R.B.I.E. revealed that instead of being a robot created for tracking down Galactus, he’d actually been a sleeper agent for the Devourer of Worlds this entire time and had been feeding him information. Having H.E.R.B.I.E. as the adorable sidekick akin to Guardians of the Galaxy‘s Baby Groot, only to have him turn bad and lead Galactus to The Fantastic Four, could be up there with one of Marvel’s best twists.

What Role Will Herbie Play In The Upcoming Movie?

Actress Natasha Lyonne has been tapped for an unspecified part in the upcoming film, The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Many fans are advocating for her to portray H.E.R.B.I.E., a character known for his outbursts when he broke his inhibitor chip and launched into a tirade against Reed and Sue in the comics. Lyonne’s previous roles indicate she would excel at delivering such colorful, expletive-laden rants. Regardless of who takes on the role of H.E.R.B.I.E., it’s expected that Disney stands to make a significant profit from merchandising when they promote him.

As an avid fan, I find myself eagerly anticipating “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” a film that seems to brim with excitement in every second. While H.E.R.B.I.E.’s role might be limited given the packed narrative, his potential in shaping the Marvel Cinematic Universe is intriguing. In an era where Elon Musk’s Tesla Optimus robots and ChatGPT are making headlines, a comedic sentient robot like H.E.R.B.I.E. seems fitting.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has demonstrated its knack for creating lovable comedic side characters. Although The Fantastic Four: First Steps is a separate story, getting the character H.E.R.B.I.E. just right could make him a beloved figure across the entire franchise. The writers may draw inspiration from the comics by portraying H.E.R.B.I.E. as Galactus’ hidden weapon among The Fantastic Four, but that aspect is yet to be revealed. Regardless, he’s part of the team…for now.

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2024-10-21 17:04