As the momentum builds for Avengers: Doomsday, The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set to become a crucial addition to the MCU‘s timeline. But where and when is the new movie set? Here is all you need to know about when it’s set.
When is The Fantastic Four: First Steps set in the MCU’s timeline?
The setting of The Fantastic Four: First Steps may be a little more complicated than most other MCU films. The film is set in the 1960s, and it was always marketed as a period piece
The filmmakers chose the 1960s setting to make the film more comic-accurate, reflecting the era when the characters first appeared. They have not revealed the exact year yet, but they set the story in another universe in the 1960s. Thunderbolts* hinted that this timeline coincides with the current events in the MCU as fans know them.
Speaking at BFI IMAX, Matt Shakman emphasized the importance of the timeline, saying, “The answer is pretty simple, which is that these characters were created in the ’60s by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee,” he said. “They were created in this time of optimism and the Space Race. People were dreaming of the stars, imagining conquering the unknown, and that’s what the Fantastic Four is all about.”
Where is The Fantastic Four: First Steps set in the MCU’s multiverse?
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set in Earth-828. This is not the same place where the earlier MCU movies were set. The primary reason for the change of setting is to maintain narrative consistency. Setting the film on the same Earth as the previous Avengers movies would raise questions about why the Fantastic Four have not been mentioned by other characters.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps will premiere theatrically on July 25, 2025.
