Get ready for a thrilling journey into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as we uncover the hidden gems introduced in Fantastic Four: First Steps! This movie secretly brings to life some of Stan Lee's most iconic characters, and we're about to dive into their fascinating stories.
Unveiling the First Family's Villains
In the vibrant world of Earth-828, Fantastic Four: First Steps not only establishes a unique reality but also introduces a plethora of villains, almost all co-created by the legendary Stan Lee. While the mighty Galactus and the enigmatic Silver Surfer steal the spotlight, some of Lee's other creations make subtle yet impactful appearances, almost hidden in plain sight.
The Understated Debuts
First Steps mentions five of the Fantastic Four's oldest and most dangerous foes, and their full reveal is saved for the animated end-credits scene. These villains might not have had a grand entrance, but their presence is now officially canon in the MCU, leaving us excited for their potential future appearances.
Uncovering the Underrated Stan Lee Villains
The Wizard, aka Bentley Wittman: A genius with a mad obsession, Bentley Wittman designs gadgets that mimic magic. His signature invention, the gravity disc, grants flight. Over time, his instability grows, leading to the Fantastic Four adopting his clone son, Bentley-23, causing further tension.
Diablo, aka Esteban Corazón de Ablo: An ancient alchemist with immortality, Diablo's powers range from shapeshifting to mind control and animating water. He's a master of long-term planning, capable of creating explosions and summoning demonic forces. Even Reed Richards struggles to comprehend his capabilities.
The Red Ghost, aka Ivan Kragoff: Played by John Malkovich in scenes cut from First Steps, the Red Ghost is a Russian villain with three superpowered trained apes. Inspired by the Fantastic Four's origin, he studied Cosmic Rays but wanted power for himself. He gained intangibility, while his apes developed superstrength and magnetic abilities.
The Puppet Master, aka Phillip Masters: A manipulative genius, Phillip Masters discovered radioactive clay that controls individuals when shaped into 'puppets.' He can control even the strongest heroes like Mister Fantastic and the Hulk. His connection to the FF is personal, as his adopted daughter, Alicia, is Ben Grimm's Thing's love interest and eventual wife.
The Mad Thinker, aka Julius: A mysterious genius who predicts the future, the Mad Thinker rivals Reed Richards. He's struck at the Fantastic Four in various ways, from unleashing the Awesome Android to tampering with their DNA. Despite his lack of visual impressiveness, he's one of Marvel's smartest villains, earning the respect of Reed Richards and Doctor Doom.
These five Stan Lee villains made their MCU debut in First Steps, and while they had limited screen time, we can't wait to see them shine in future movies.
Release Details:
- Release Date: July 25, 2025
- Runtime: 115 minutes
- Director: Matt Shakman
- Writers: Jeff Kaplan, Josh Friedman, Ian Springer, Eric Pearson, Kat Wood, Jack Kirby, Stan Lee
- Producers: Kevin Feige
Fantastic Four: First Steps showcases the First Family's journey as superheroes and family members in a retro-futuristic world, facing the formidable Galactus and the mysterious Silver Surfer.
And there you have it! A deeper look at the underrated Stan Lee villains introduced in Fantastic Four: First Steps. What do you think? Are you excited to see these characters in future MCU movies? Let's discuss in the comments!
