Several aspects of Marvel Studios’ upcoming Fantastic Four film remain a mystery, though the veil has been lifted from the official superhero quartet’s casting. Fans and enthusiasts have traditionally relied on rumors and reports to compensate for the lack of available and confirmed information. When it concerns F4, those have gone hand-in-hand with its existence so far.
In a similar spirit, a recent report has gained traction, delving into potential plot details. And it may answer the question of Kang the Conqueror and his variants in the MCU narrative.
Jonathan Majors’ firing has left several questions unanswered in the MCU. Many have agreed that a recast is likely in store; others have even proposed a grand retcon that theorized the big bad’s complete removal from the franchise, having him replaced by other formidable forces. Although not much has been confirmed, the latest rumor of a Kang variant appearing in The Fantastic Four (2025) has raised some eyebrows.
Apparently, Pharaoh Rama-Tut, who first appeared in 1963’s Fantastic Four #19, could be a part of the Pedro Pascal starrer. Last seen in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023), the Egyptian Pharaoh variant of Kang has had comic ties to the iconic superhero ensemble. This intricate association makes him a likely contender to appear in the Phase Six initiative.
Could Kang Variant Pharaoh Rama-Tut Appear In The Fantastic Four (2025)?
A foe of the beloved superhero team in the comics, the Egyptian Pharaoh variant of Kang, named Rama-Tut, could make his next live-action appearance in the upcoming FF MCU film if this latest report is to be believed. According to @HolyfieldM5 on X, this alternate version of the multiversal warmonger is rumored to be a part of The Fantastic Four, which has been widely speculated to be set in the ’60s.
While Kang is often deemed a formidable opponent to the Avengers, his association with the Fantastic Four cannot be swept under the rug, given the villain’s comic-book origins.
Fantastic Four #19 (1963) by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby first featured the character that would soon become renowned as Kang. This issue was known for introducing pharaoh Rama-Tut. An early iteration of Kang, he was portrayed as a time traveler who became the pharaoh of ancient Egypt, which he conquered.
The variant’s inclusion in the MCU through references and a mid-credits appearance in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania could’ve established the basis for his upcoming live-action adventures. And if this recent rumor is believed, then the character’s next outing could be through The Fantastic Four. But the status of Kang the Conqueror and his variants’ involvement in the MCU being up in the air poses some uncertainty regarding Rama-Tut’s inclusion.
To address the logistics, the X account also revealed that a recasting for Kang is slated to reportedly occur at the San Diego Comic-Con this year, with the studio aiming to cast different actors to play different Kang variants. If such is the case, Rama-Tut will be embodied by a separate face compared to Immortus or other main variants.
🚨 Pharaoh Ramu-Tut is Rumored to appear in Marvel Studio’s Upcoming ‘FANTASTIC FOUR’ film that is mostly set to take place in the 60’s.
We last seen Ramu Tut in ‘ANTMAN AND THE WASP QUANTUMANIA’ mid credit scene with the council of Kangs planning on destroying the Multiverse.… pic.twitter.com/VY7MNNi1ux
— MCU News and Updates (@HolyfieldM5) February 14, 2024
Nothing is confirmed, though. So, taking these reports with a grain of salt is advisable. Fans will soon see what decisions Marvel Studios make about Kang and the variants’ murky future in the franchise. A recast seems the most reasonable route, given the stakes previously established with the mega villain’s incorporation in the Multiverse Saga.
Fantastic Four Speculated To Be A Period Piece Set In The ’60s
Valentine’s Day came bearing gifts for fans of the superhero quartet. Previously, the rumor mill ran into overdrive over which famed talents may play the Fantastic Four in the MCU. Now, after several fan casts and thousands of conflicting reports, the upcoming Phase Six initiative is confirmed to star Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing.
The exclusive look into the recently-dropped visual may also reveal some intriguing details about the time and era the film is slated to occupy. Some fans quickly noticed the vintage, retro-futuristic aesthetic of the illustrated piece. However, other giveaways to dictate its setting come from the magazine Moss-Bachrach’s The Thing is reading and the stylized Fantastic Four logo.
Netizens pointed out that the magazine in the piece, although incomprehensible at first glance, could be the December 13, 1963 issue of Life Magazine, featuring President Lyndon B. Johnson. This has predominantly alluded to a 1960s setting for the Fantastic Four (2025).
So Fantastic Four might be set in 1963, judging by the magazine Ben Grimm’s reading pic.twitter.com/o3pSpu8FXQ
— Monkey D. Hernandy (@hernandy_s) February 14, 2024
Although whether this is confirmed remains to be seen, the overall aesthetic does suggest an old-school flair. It must also be mentioned that the quartet debuted in the comics in 1961, which gives this possible creative decision a meta-depth. One could argue that so did many other Marvel IPs. That is the question the movie may aim to answer if it is indeed a period piece involving the iconic team. It’d be an intriguing thematic choice, that’s for sure.
With WandaVision‘s Matt Shakman, who proved his efficiency in directing period piece settings, at the initiative’s helm, one could anticipate only good things from the upcoming FF film. The Fantastic Four is expected to release on July 25, 2025.
