Is The Fantastic Four: First Steps trailer packed with Avengers easter eggs? The trailer hints at a link between the Baxter Building and Avengers Tower, sparking theories about their connection. With the film set in an alternate timeline, could this explain Robert Downey Jr.’s return as Doctor Doom?
Let’s break down the biggest trailer easter eggs, from classic comic callbacks to multiversal clues and hidden MCU ties.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps trailer’s easter eggs and Marvel references
Here’s a list of major easter eggs and references in the newly released teaser trailer of The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
HERBIE the Robot
The trailer introduces HERBIE, the Fantastic Four’s robotic assistant, seen helping in a cooking scene with The Thing. This is a nod to HERBIE’s role in comics and animated adaptations as the team’s AI helper.
John Malkovich’s villain
John Malkovich appears as a mysterious character stepping out of the shadows. His long white hair and beard suggest he could be playing Ivan Kragoff, also known as the Red Ghost, a Soviet scientist obsessed with cosmic radiation.
The family’s origin
The trailer includes found footage of the team’s space mission, hinting at their exposure to cosmic radiation. While the film is not a traditional origin story, these glimpses confirm their transformation will be acknowledged.
Fantastic Four suits
The Fantastic Four’s blue suits, complete with the classic “4” emblem, closely match their original comic designs. Combined with the film’s 1960s aesthetic, this reinforces the retro-futuristic style.
Galactus’ comic accurate debut
Galactus appears as a massive shadow looming over New York City. His silhouette and helmet confirm a faithful adaptation of his comic book look.
Fantastic Four’s powers (Minus Reed Richards)
The trailer highlights The Thing’s strength, the Human Torch flying in flames, and the Invisible Woman forming force fields. Reed Richards’ stretching abilities are notably absent.
The Fantasti-Car makes its debut
The trailer briefly shows the iconic Fantasti-Car gliding through the city, marking its first live-action appearance since 2007.
The Fantastic Four are already famous
A scene shows children wearing Thing-themed merchandise, suggesting that the team is already well-known in their universe.
Multiversal implications
Reed Richards’ equations reference “another universe,” hinting at the team’s eventual crossover with the larger MCU.
A mysterious cosmic threat
Fireballs raining from the sky suggest an incursion or the arrival of Galactus, setting up high-stakes cosmic conflict.
Silver Surfer’s absence
Despite Galactus’ presence, the Silver Surfer is missing. Julia Garner has been cast as Shalla-Bal, suggesting her reveal is being saved for later.
Michael Giacchino’s score
The trailer debuts Michael Giacchino’s score, ending with a choral rendition of “Fantastic Four,” reinforcing the film’s retro tone.
Baxter Building appears
The Baxter Building closely resembles Avengers Tower in design and location, hinting at a connection between the two in different timelines.
Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom link
Robert Downey Jr. will return as Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday. Speculation suggests Doom may have played a role in the Baxter Building’s history, further linking him to Tony Stark’s legacy.
Originally reported by Anubhav Chaudhry on ComingSoon.
