An exciting rumor regarding Fantastic Four 2 has surfaced. It suggests that Marvel is planning to release a sequel to The Fantastic Four: First Steps after Avengers: Secret Wars, even though it wasn’t a massive box office hit. The original film, now streaming on Disney+, hit theaters on July 25, 2025, and opened Phase Six of the MCU. Following its release, it reportedly grossed $521.9 million at the global box office.
Fantastic Four 2 likely to happen in Phase 7
A new rumor suggests Marvel Studios is planning to drop Fantastic Four 2 following Avengers: Secret Wars. The report further states that Marvel wants Matt Shakman, the first film’s director, to helm the sequel. Additionally, Marvel reportedly believes the team’s appearances in Doomsday and Secret Wars would increase interest in it.
The rumor comes from a familiar scooper, MyTimetoShineHello. They wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “Despite not being a huge box office hit, Marvel still plans a Fantastic Four 2 post–Secret Wars and wants Matt Shakman back to direct. They believe the team’s role in the Avengers films will draw more people to see the sequel.”
Variety reported in June 2025 that a sequel to The Fantastic Four: First Steps was in development and speculated that it could drop in 2028. The timeframe tracks with the aforementioned rumor. Two months later, notable industry insider Jeff Sneider shared on The InSneider that Marvel believes the sequel would perform better than the first film, following the Fantastic Four’s appearances in Doomsday and Secret Wars.
However, it is to be noted that Fantastic Four 2 does not have a fixed release date as of writing. It’s also unclear what the plot will be.
While speaking to ComicBook, Eric Pearson, one of the first film’s story and screenplay writers, said he didn’t know what the sequel would entail, stressing that he needed to “understand the fallout” of Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars. He shared some ideas, but noted that what he said didn’t matter until the Fantastic Four’s status post-Doomsday and Secret Wars was clear.
“Would it be cool to see them in a murder mystery together? Sure,” Pearson stated. “Would it be cool to see them in a time-travelling romp? Sure, that would be cool.” He continued, “There are all these different things, but you don’t want to completely upset the apple cart. I feel like anything I’d have to say really doesn’t matter until we see how all our favorite characters survive the upcoming adventures with Victor von Doom.”
Originally reported by Abdul Azim Naushad on SuperHeroHype.
