Could The Multiversal Setting Of 'Fantastic Four: First Steps' Set The Stage For A Surprise Character Appearance?

The first full trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps, the film that will finally introduce Marvel's First Family to the world of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, has arrived. As is the standard when a new MCU trailer is released, fans have begun eagerly combing the trailer footage for clues.

Rather than being set in the MCU's core 616 universe, Fantastic Four: First Steps will be set in one of the MCU's branching timelines/universes, which appears to have a 60s aesthetic, and where the Fantastic Four are the only major superheroes in existence. Despite this, some fans believe the film's alternate universe setting leaves the door open for cameos from existing MCU characters, and from clues in the trailer, there is a possibility that an appearance from a popular, but very unexpected character, has risen.

Let's look at the clues, and the surprise cameo they may point to.

Sue Storm's Pregnancy

For months, due to careful camera work in the earlier teasers, leaked concept art, and the character wearing loose fitting clothing in some teaser shots and promo images, speculation has run rampant that Sue Storm, the Invisible Woman, would be pregnant in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Now, in the first full trailer, Sue's pregnancy has been confirmed. It has been assumed that this pregnancy will lead to the birth of Franklin Richards, the firstborn son of Sue and Reed Richards in the comics (they later also have a daughter, Valeria).

In the comics, Franklin is a hugely powerful mutant, with his abilities beginning to manifest at toddler age. He has the power to warp reality on a cosmic level, and rearrange the molecular structure of energy and matter at will. He also has a range of psionic powers, including telepathy, telekinesis, and more, however, all these abilities are limited by Franklin's fluctuating levels of control, being he is just a child.

Franklin's abilities, and his status as Reed and Sue's son, draws attention, both positive and negative, from his parents' Superhero friends, villains, and even beings of celestial power who recognise him as a possible equal.

As a consequence of this sometimes unwanted attention, and their own responsibilities as Superheroes, Reed and Sue often leave Franklin in the care of a specially chosen Nanny.. which brings us to the second possible clue.

Westview Television

The 60s vibe in the visual design of The Fantastic Four: First Steps has naturally brought comparisons to the hit Marvel TV series, WandaVision, which spends the second of it's nine episodes in a 60s setting.

The trailer for First Steps also appears to have made this connection, with eagle-eyed fans spotting a brief shot of a store sign reading Westview Appliance Television. Westview, of course, is the town Wanda inadvertently takes over with sitcom shenanigans, serving as the main setting for WandaVision.

So, for many fans, Wanda is probably the first character who comes to mind when Westview is mentioned. Unfortunately for the Scarlet Witch’s many fans, it is not Wanda we are expecting to see here. No, it is another popular Marvel witch..

It Was Agatha All Along!

Yes, Agatha Harkness. First introduced in WandaVision as Agnes, the nosy neighbour of Wanda's created sitcom reality, she later reveals herself as Agatha Harkness, a centuries-old witch intent on stealing Wanda's reality-warping chaos magic. Defeated by Wanda and trapped in Westview as Agnes, Agatha was freed at the beginning of Agatha All Along, embarking on a journey down the Witches' Road with a reluctant coven, including a reincarnated Billy Maximoff. The series became a surprise smash hit for Marvel Studios in late 2024.

At first glance, Agatha would seem an odd choice to appear in a Fantastic Four film, but not if you have a little knowledge of comic lore.

In the comics, one of Agatha's earliest major storylines introduces her as an elderly survivor of the Salem Witch trials, who had been using Nannying to pay her way as she travelled the world. She is about to retire from Nanny work when Sue and Reed reach out to ask her to care for Franklin. Sensing the boy's latent potential, Agatha agrees. She becomes close with the family, even having Franklin live at her own home temporarily when the Baxter Building becomes unsafe.

Considering Franklin's imminent arrival in Fantastic Four: First Steps, it is entirely possible that a variant of the MCU's Agatha could appear as his Nanny.

If not, there are sure to be other surprises on the way when the film hits theatres in July.