The post-credits scene in Thunderbolts introduces significant implications for the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including two separate Avengers teams and the introduction of the Fantastic Four via a rocket ship. This teasing ending excited audiences when it aired in theaters last May, yet viewers of the new Fantastic Four: First Steps, released over the past weekend, may have found that the film does not connect with the previous Marvel movie as expected.
In an interview, director Matt Shakman explained that the disconnect arose because the Thunderbolts end credit scene was created late in the development of his movie’s script. Consequently, Shakman was unaware of that ending when he was crafting Fantastic Four: First Steps. He likened the process to a relay race, emphasizing that each filmmaker is focused on their own segment of the story before passing it down to others.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe often appears to follow a tightly coordinated master plan with interconnected stories, overseen by Kevin Feige and the Marvel Studios Parliament. However, Shakman noted that there was no specific directive to link the two films, allowing Fantastic Four: First Steps to remain self-contained within its narrative.
As it stands, the transition from the Fantastic Four’s world on Earth 828 to the main MCU on Earth 616 remains unclear, especially with the anticipated Avengers: Doomsday slated for December 2026. With Spider-Man: Brand New Day arriving in summer 2026 unlikely to bridge the narrative gap, fans will have to wait and see how the story unfolds leading into the epic crossover film.
Fantastic Four: First Steps is currently in theaters, and with the clock ticking down to Avengers: Doomsday, there is much to look forward to for fans of the Marvel franchise. There is a palpable excitement surrounding how this will reshape the dynamics within the universe, paving the way for new adventures and team-ups.