Kevin Feige, a name synonymous with cinematic brilliance, has skyrocketed the Marvel Cinematic Universe to new heights. With his keen eye and attention to detail, fans got to witness some of the most iconic comic book characters transforming into a global phenomenon.
Further, given his track record of turning unconventional ideas into box office gold, it’s no surprise that the Marvel president is pushing the boundaries once again. Feige has drawn inspiration for the highly anticipated Fantastic Four movie from the unlikely source of Fortnite. Further, keeping both gamers and movie enthusiasts on the edge of their seats.
Kevin Feige Taps Into Fortnite for the Upcoming Fantastic Four
This year’s D23 Expo delivered a slew of exciting announcements, with Marvel Studios and Marvel Animation panels taking center stage. In this, one standout reveal was the upcoming collaboration between Epic Games and Marvel, which promises to bring some of Marvel’s iconic superheroes into the gaming universe. From August 16, Fortnite‘s Battle Royale mode will launch Chapter 5, Season 4, titled Absolute Doom.
This will feature Doctor Doom and the Fantastic Four. This latest update will allow players to explore hidden teasers linked to future MCU movies. Further, it brilliantly blends gaming as well as Marvel’s upcoming projects. While this was exciting for the fans, it isn’t the first time that a familiar Marvel character has made an appearance in the game. For instance, Galactus made his debut at the end of Chapter 2, Season 3.
As a supervillain, he attempted to harness the power of Zero Point to conquer the Black Winter, only to be thwarted by Marvel heroes summoned by Thor. This all led to the dramatic Devourer of Worlds live event.
While Galactus is no longer an active threat, his actions left a lasting impression on the game. Further, it influences events from Chapter 2, Season 5 through Chapter 2, Season 8, and even re-emerges during Chapter 3, Season 2’s Zero War.
Adding to this, in the same D23 event as shared on X, Kevin Feige shared that he showed the crew of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, a Fortnite clip of Galactus destroying worlds as a creative inspiration for the movie. This drew in a wide array of responses from fans.
He’s showing them what happens if they lose to Galactus lol
— Marvin_Martinez (@mmarti2001) August 11, 2024
Galactus from Fortnite is the same Galactus as the one in the upcoming MCU movies 😭
— – 4 Discussing Film and Ryan Hater (@deleteyoaccbum9) August 11, 2024
No way Fortnite is out here inspiring movies now💀
— CzVon🇧🇸 (@VonCantTakeIt) August 11, 2024
Interesting pick! If it captures the same grandeur, it could make ‘FANTASTIC FOUR’ truly memorable.🔥💥
— 🌞 🚗 (@Uniqueid822) August 11, 2024
Using Fortnite to show them is really dope
— 🔥ValiantReaper🔥 (@ValiantReaper) August 11, 2024
The confirmation of Ralph Ineson’s casting as Galactus revealed the character’s involvement in the upcoming movie. Though the upcoming Fantastic Four is still in production and the final design of Galactus might change, this early render hints at a comically accurate portrayal.
Kevin Feige’s strategy here is clever, as it not only appeals to hardcore Marvel fans but also taps into the massive Fortnite fanbase. Thus, leveraging Galactus’ existing popularity in the game to generate hype for the movie.
Kevin Feige Opens Up About Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans’ Possible Return
Hugh Jackman’s return as Wolverine in the recently released Deadpool & Wolverine has opened the doors for a possible return of other beloved characters as well. Adding to this, in an interview (via Variety), MCU president Kevin Feige added that actors like Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans can possibly return to the franchise given their roles are handled with great care. He added:
We’re just proud that we, I think, have figured it out for Wolverine. I think Hugh’s appearance and starring role in [‘Deadpool & Wolverine’] is a great sign that it can be done—if great care is taken.
Both the actors had wrapped up their roles in the MCU with 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, which saw the death of Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark, aka Iron Man. Similarly, Jackman’s portrayal of Wolverine began with the X-Men movies in 2000 but ended with the character’s death in Logan (2017).
So, this possibility hints that if the roles are handled with precision, Evans and Downey Jr. can possibly reprise their respective roles in the future.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is scheduled for a theatrical release on July 25, 2025.
