Reports indicate that Marvel Studios has plans underway for a Pedro Pascal Fantastic Four sequel even before the first movie, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, has hit theaters, while any official decision about Chris Hemsworth’s Thor 5 remains unannounced. The focus on Pascal’s upcoming debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) highlights the studio’s confidence in their new direction and casts uncertainty on the future of Thor.
Early Sequel Discussions Center on Pedro Pascal’s Fantastic Four
Marvel Studios is appearing to break tradition with early progress toward a potential follow-up to The Fantastic Four: First Steps, starring Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards. Despite the movie’s scheduled release for July 25, 2025, and audiences yet to see this take on the franchise, rumors suggest that a second installment has entered planning stages internally.
Joining Pascal in the highly anticipated cast are Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, Ralph Ineson, and others, all set to bring Marvel’s iconic superhero family to life after previous cinematic attempts had mixed receptions. Industry watchers note that this pre-release sequel planning is rare, suggesting significant faith in director Matt Shakman’s vision for the property.
Additional fuel was added to the speculation when Disney recently placed an untitled Marvel Studios release on its calendar for December 15, 2028. No specifics about the film have been confirmed, but this project will arrive after the planned conclusion of Avengers: Secret Wars, which is rumored to close out the MCU’s current multiverse storyline during Phase 6.
The untitled slot is one of four Disney has scheduled for Marvel entries that year, and while Disney’s release dates are famously fluid, the timing has led many to believe that one of these could serve as a Fantastic Four sequel, continuing the story of Reed Richards and his team after their new introduction.
Shift in Strategy After Avengers: Secret Wars Could Boost the Fantastic Four Franchise
Insiders believe that after Avengers: Secret Wars, Marvel Studios is preparing to turn its focus primarily to characters recently acquired from 20th Century Fox, with both X-Men and the Fantastic Four high on the list. Director Jake Schreier, connected to the Thunderbolts project, is reportedly being considered for involvement in X-Men related movies, underscoring the shift in strategy for the studio.
The characters of Reed Richards and the Fantastic Four have, until recently, been at the center of rights disputes involving Marvel and 20th Century Fox. With Disney’s acquisition solidified, Marvel Studios can now fully integrate them into the MCU, potentially prioritizing stories around Pascal’s version of the team. Marvel’s production timeline, which points to these new characters rising to prominence, leaves the future uncertain for other established franchises, notably Thor.
Thor’s Cinematic Future Remains Uncertain as Marvel Focuses Elsewhere
While Marvel Studios moves forward with plans for more stories involving the Fantastic Four, the fate of Chris Hemsworth as Thor is less clear. Hemsworth has paid tribute to the role in recent months, but whether this signals retirement or just appreciation is unknown. There is no official word on Thor 5, and the character is at a sensitive crossroads as rumors swirl regarding possible storylines, including a potential appearance or even death in upcoming Avengers projects like Doomsday or Secret Wars.
Other sources have suggested that Thor 5 might be in an early stage of development, yet nothing has been confirmed, leaving fans in suspense. If Marvel does press ahead with a Fantastic Four sequel before making decisions about Thor, it would represent a noteworthy pivot in their approach to the post-Secret Wars MCU landscape.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps Poised for Theatrical Release
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is scheduled for a United States theatrical release on July 25, 2025. With Pedro Pascal bringing Reed Richards to the screen and a new creative team behind the film, expectations are high that this reboot will set a new standard for the franchise within the MCU. As Marvel Studios eyes its next phase, all attention turns to how both new and legacy characters will shape the future of their cinematic universe.
