Why doesn’t The Fantastic Four: First Steps take place in the Sacred Timeline? Director Matt Shakman reveals why they decided to make the MCU’s first Elseworlds storyline.
One of the most shocking things revealed during the development of The Fantastic Four: First Steps was that the film wouldn’t by taking place in the main universe of the MCU, better known as the Sacred Timeline. It was a bold move, separating a team with a history of mediocre movies into its own universe in order to take a much bigger swing than they likely would have been able to otherwise.
However, it’s a decision that doesn’t come without its cons. By putting The Fantastic Four: First Steps in another part of the MCU’s multiverse, it means that the team isn’t able to interact with heroes in the Sacred Timeline. And when the team does make the jump over to the mainline of the franchise, it means that much of the worldbuilding that was established in this film won’t be carried over.
Why The Fantastic Four: First Steps Isn’t In The Sacred Timeline
Director Matt Shakman spoke on this controversial decision during a recent interview at a UK Launch Event (via ComicBookMovie.com). Surprisingly, it seems as though the decision to keep The Fantastic Four: First Steps off the Sacred Timeline had nothing to do with plans for the film, but rather the past of the MCU. Namely, the big mean baddie known as Thanos.
“We didn’t want them to be on this Earth or the Earth with all the Marvel characters because where were they when Thanos came, right? They would have helped out. “They would have solved the problem then.”
It’s certainly an interesting, and reasonable, take. Many fans had the same question when it was first announced that The Fantastic Four: First Steps was in development for the MCU. So while it is a gamble placing the film off the Sacred Timeline, it does seem like director Matt Shakman made the choice deliberately, and has more than enough justification reinforcing the decision.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps opens on July 25, 2025. Stay tuned for all the latest news regarding the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more content!
