Black Panther 2 Could Set Up MCU’s Fantastic 4 Movie In 3 Major Ways

Marvel Studios could set up the Fantastic 4 movie in 3 major ways thanks to Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The upcoming and final film of Phase 4 is expected to play a significant role in setting up the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s future. It is already known that Black Panther 2 will help set up Ironheart thanks to Riri Williams’ role, while there are also spinoff Disney+ shows in development. There is also little doubt that the experiences that Shuri (Letitia Wright), M’Baku (Winston Duke), and others go through will impact their individual MCU futures. But just as Black Panther helped shape the cinematic universe’s future, the sequel could play a big part in setting up upcoming projects.

One of the most exciting projects in the MCU’s Multiverse Saga slate is the first Fantastic 4 movie from Marvel Studios. Originally announced with Spider-Man: No Way Home‘s Jon Watts directing, the movie is now in the hands of WandaVision director Matt Shakman. There are not many details known about the film yet. Marvel teased audiences with the idea of John Krasinski’s Mister Fantastic leading the cast, but it is not confirmed that he will reprise his role or who will play Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Johnny Storm/Human Torch, or Ben Grimm/The Thing. Despite the lacking information on the MCU’s Fantastic 4, there is great anticipation for Marvel’s First Family to debut.

It might not seem like Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and Fantastic 4 have much in common beyond the brilliant minds at the center of them. Audiences might be more prepared to watch the sequel to see it set up a third entry in the franchise, Wakandan spinoffs, or even Namor’s MCU future. There is little chance that the Fantastic Four will appear in Black Panther 2, even though the team and Black Panther have had some comic crossovers. But, there are still a few opportunities for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever to set up the MCU’s Fantastic 4 movie.

Black Panther 2 Can Tease Namor’s Return In Fantastic 4

Part of Black Panther 2‘s potential Fantastic 4 setup could come with Namor’s introduction. It is confirmed that Tenoch Huerta is playing a reimagined version of the Sub-Mariner in the MCU. It is confirmed that Namor is a mutant in the movie and the king of Talocan, a new name for the underwater kingdom of Atlantis. Namor is expected to be the main villain of Black Panther 2 and play a pivotal role in the conflict between Wakanda and Talocan. However, it would be quite a surprise if this was his only MCU appearance. Namor has a rich comic history that Marvel can borrow from after Black Panther 2, and it would make sense to tease what comes next for him. This could include Namor’s return in Fantastic 4.

As strong as Namor’s connections are to the X-Men in the comics, many quickly associate him with the Fantastic Four due to their complicated history. Namor and Reed Richards have been teammates on Marvel’s Illuminati team, which could be teased in Fantastic 4 after the MCU introduced the idea of the team in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. That dynamic could be even more tenuous if the MCU leans into Namor’s continued pursuits of Sue Storm. The exact role that Namor could play in the MCU’s Fantastic 4 movie depends on the film’s story, but he could be an uneasy ally for the team to take down their real threat.

Black Panther 2’s Vibranium Storyline Could Include Latveria

Marvel could also set up Fantastic 4 through Black Panther: Wakanda Forever‘s vibranium storyline. It has been revealed that one of the sequel’s storylines is about the world wanting Wakanda to share its wealth of vibranium. There are even scenes showing special ops teams associated with different countries trying to steal the rare and powerful metal from Wakanda’s mining sites. Black Panther 2 has yet to reveal who exactly is behind this initiative or which countries are interested in obtaining some vibranium. The Fantastic Four likely would not dare mess with the substance or Wakanda, but Doctor Doom’s Latveria may be one of the countries trying to acquire the metal.

Latveria is the fictional European country that becomes the domain of Doctor Doom’s rule. Theories have suggested that The Falcon and the Winter Soldier set up Doctor Doom’s growing empire with Latveria potentially overtaking Sokovia. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever could continue this trend by mentioning Latveria and featuring some people from Doom’s country. It would make sense that Victor von Doom wants to bring vibranium to Latveria, as it would give him even more power and possibly allow him to make a vibranium version of his metal suit. It seems likely that Latveria will factor into the MCU’s Fantastic 4 movie in some capacity, so Black Panther: Wakanda Forever establishing the nation’s existence would be a huge deal.

Black Panther 2 Can Set Up Doctor Doom As Fantastic 4’s Villain

The most significant way Black Panther: Wakanda Forever can set up Fantastic 4 is by teasing the movie’s likely villain, Doctor Doom. There has been a long-standing rumor that Black Panther 2‘s post-credits scene will tease Doom’s MCU debut, even if it is done in the same style as Thanos’ Avengers tease and an actor is not even cast. This rumor has gained some potential credibility with Marvel’s announcement that the Black Panther sequel ends Phase 4. Introducing Doctor Doom in Black Panther 2‘s ending would signal the large role he can play in the rest of the Multiverse Saga. An appearance in Fantastic 4 would be even more expected before Doom plays a significant part in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars.

An argument could be made that Doom should not be the main villain of the MCU’s Fantastic 4 due to the last two franchise attempts also featuring Doctor Doom as the antagonist. However, neither of the past interpretations of the character has come close to capturing the proper characterization of one of Marvel’s best villains. The MCU has an opportunity to make its Fantastic 4 movie shine by getting Doctor Doom right. A tease of his place in the MCU in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever would go a long way in letting audiences know that he will be a big part of the future. That should include a role in Fantastic 4, considering Doom and Reed Richards’ intense rivalry. So if Black Panther: Wakanda Forever does have a glimpse of Doctor Doom, it will be fascinating to see how direct Marvel Studios will be in teasing his potential return in Phase 6 and Fantastic 4.