Marvel is reportedly already planning a sequel to The Fantastic Four: First Steps, despite the upcoming blockbuster still being more than a month from launch.
A Variety report states that an untitled Fantastic Four follow-up is one of several currently undated Marvel projects in development, alongside Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther 3 and the long-delayed Blade reboot.
Word of a Fantastic Four sequel follows the announcement by Disney this week that it had scheduled a fourth Marvel film for launch in 2028 — without confirming what it will be. The mystery movie will arrive on December 15, 2028, Disney said, following three other Marvel launches currently scheduled for February, May and November that year.
While Disney’s first new outing for The Fantastic Four is still to arrive, it makes sense that Marvel is already considering what’s next for its heroes. The studio seems confident First Steps will land well with audiences, and has already announced the film’s stars will be among the key players in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday.
It’s also worth considering what else Marvel might consider granting sequels to, after a mixed response to a number of projects from the past few MCU phases.
We already know Eternals is not getting a follow-up anytime soon, and it seems unlikely Marvel will be rushing to make sequels for Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, The Marvels, or Captain America: Brave New World considering their low box office performances. Of Marvel’s recent hits, the Guardians of the Galaxy series feels likely to be rested, meanwhile, considering the departure of director James Gunn.
Fans have long hoped to see more of Shang-Chi, though it will have been five years since the character was last seen in the MCU by the time he returns in Avengers: Doomsday. Doctor Strange seems ripe for a follow-up, though his multiversal shenanigans would have felt better suited to the current MCU saga that’s now coming to a close.
And what of Thor? The popular character’s last film was widely considered something of a letdown — and actor Chris Hemsworth recently sparked speculation he might be ready to move on from the character, after posting an oddly-phrased message to fans.
So, of all Marvel’s recent projects, a quick sequel to capitalise on the expected success of First Steps feels likely — as long as the film ends up delivering. For now, Marvel has its next two years planned out with Spider-Man: Brand New Day due July 31, 2026, Avengers Doomsday on December 18, 2026, and then Avengers: Secret Wars on December 17, 2027.
Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at [email protected] or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
