How the MCU can save disastrous 2015 Fantastic Four movie

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The 2015 Fantastic Four movie wasn’t well-received by critics or audiences, but the Marvel Cinematic Universe might still be able to fix the negative impact it had on the team’s reputation.

The 2015 film Fantastic Four, sometimes stylized as Fant4stic, was a darker take on the classic Marvel superhero team. Directed by Josh Trank (known for Chronicle), it starred Miles Teller, Michael B. Jordan, Kate Mara, and Jamie Bell. Unlike previous versions, this film abandoned the team’s bright blue costumes and lighthearted adventures in favor of a very serious and sometimes disturbing tone.

The film featured a rather predictable threat from Doctor Doom, played by Toby Kebbell, who attempted to destroy Earth by opening a portal to the Negative Zone. Before the movie came out, the director famously posted (and then removed) a tweet explaining that he originally had a much better version of the film that likely would have been well-received, but it will probably never be seen.

Even though the Marvel Cinematic Universe is giving the Fantastic Four a fresh, colorful look in their 2025 debut, Marvel Studios can still address the issues with the 2015 film.

The MCU needs to cast Miles Teller as The Maker

There’s a strong case to be made for Miles Teller playing a villainous take on Mr. Fantastic, specifically the character known as The Maker. This version of the character originated in Marvel’s Ultimate comic series. He begins as the familiar, heroic Reed Richards, but transforms after being rejected by Sue Storm and the Fantastic Four disband.

Skipping over a lot of complicated events, he becomes fixated on rebuilding the Ultimate Universe according to his own vision. Simply put, the Maker has grown into a massive danger – as powerful a threat to the Avengers and the entire multiverse as villains like Thanos, Doctor Doom, and Galactus.

During the Ultimate Invasion storyline, the Maker alters the standard Marvel timeline, establishing his dominance over Earth-6160 and causing certain heroes to never come into being.

We’re not saying Marvel should rush this into their plans with big events like Doomsday and Secret Wars coming up, but bringing Miles Teller back as the Maker would be a clever way to recognize the 2015 Fantastic Four movie and explore his more complex comic book origins. Considering his character went into hiding from the government in that film, it’s easy to see how that could lead him down a path towards becoming a villain.

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Plus, with both Doomsday and Secret Wars likely involving multiple universes, it would be simple to include the Maker in the narrative. Kevin Feige has hinted at a fresh start after Secret Wars, likely because Doctor Doom, as portrayed by Robert Downey Jr., will disrupt the fabric of all universes and timelines.

As a huge MCU fan, I’m really hoping they introduce the Maker in the next couple of Avengers films. I think it would be amazing to have a new, big villain pulling the strings from the shadows, kind of like how Thanos built up over those first few phases. It would give the whole universe a really cool, connected feel!

Teller seemed to have fun playing Mr. Fantastic, as he shared on Radio Andy, but he also acknowledges the movie wasn’t a success. He jokingly suggested becoming a major villain in the Marvel Cinematic Universe could be a way to improve the film’s legacy.

While we find out what’s next for the Fantastic Four, check out our picks for the greatest superhero movies ever made, our ranking of all Marvel Cinematic Universe films and shows to date, and a list of everything Marvel has planned for the future.

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2025-11-14 18:19