THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS Skipped the ‘Council of Reeds,’ But They Could Show Up in AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY

The Fantastic Four: First Steps finally did justice to Marvel’s First Family in live-action. And it gave long-suffering fans of the heroes that originated the Marvel Comics Universe a faithful adaptation. However, the movie surprised us by not including one element from the modern Fantastic Four comics we thought for sure we’d see—the Interdimensional Council of Reeds. This secret society of Reed Richardses from across the Multiverse felt like a no-brainer to appear in this film. Especially given that it’s one of the concluding chapters in the MCU’s Multiverse Saga. But we have a feeling Kevin Feige is saving them for Avengers: Doomsday.

The Comic Book Origins of the Interdimensional Council of ReedsMarvel Comics

The concept of the Council of Reeds was introduced by writer Jonathan Hickman, in his seminal 2009-2012 run on Fantastic Four. And yes, it was the inspiration for the Council of Ricks in Rick & Morty. The idea is that Reed Richards, a.k.a. Mister Fantastic, is not only the smartest man on our Earth (Earth-616). Every Reed across the Multiverse is also the smartest man on their respective Earth. Each of these Reeds developed interdimensional portal tech they call the Bridge. It allowed them to convene together in their quest to “solve everything.” This group was founded by three different Reeds who all wielded an Infinity Gauntlet in their own timeline.

Marvel Comics

There was a price for being a part of this high and mighty council, however. Each version of Dr. Richards had to abandon their family to commit to this council. They had to place science and discovery above the needs of their own kin. The mainline Reed from Earth-616 refused to do so, proving he was the most morally upstanding version across the many realities. Although Marvel writers sometimes portray him as cold and distant, the “main” Reed Richards proves he’s a fundamentally decent and empathetic man in a way most of his counterparts are not.

Where Was the Council of Reeds in The Fantastic Four: First Steps?Marvel Studios

It feels like Pedro Pascal’s version of Reed had technology advanced enough to breach the Multiverse (he certainly knows it exists). This is a guy who made faster-than-light starships in the ‘60s, after all. But we never saw him interact with any of his variants, even to try to solve the Galactus problem. Many fans believed that actor Ioan Gruffudd, who played Reed in the 2005 Fantastic Four, would appear in such a scene. Especially as he went to The Fantastic Four: First Steps premiere. But there was no scene in the final film. Perhaps director Matt Shakman thought referring to previous versions of the FF might not make the movie feel like the clean slate that it is for casual audiences.

Avengers: Doomsday Could Debut the MCU Council of Reeds

Having said that, we know Reed Richards will have a leading role in Avengers: Doomsday. That movie will absolutely deal with these Multiversal shenanigans on a grand scale. We feel Doomsday would be the perfect time for Earth-828’s Reed Richards to contact his variants in the Council of Reeds for help. Decades of Marvel movies have already provided several versions of the character to make up at least some of the council. While there should be hundreds of Reed variants in this council, we feel the leaders of said cabal should be narrowed down to four, fittingly enough.

Previous Cinematic Reed Richards Should Lead the MCU Council of ReedsTwentieth Century Studios/Marvel Studios

Here’s who could make the cut. There’s Alex Hyde-White, who played Reed in the never-released Fantastic Four movie from 1994. Then, Ioan Gruffudd played him in the two Tim Story movies from the 2000s. Miles Teller played him in the infamous 2015 reboot from Josh Trank. And fan favorite John Krasinski played Reed in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. That’s five Reeds, which means there have been more Mister Fantastic actors on screen than Spider-Mans or Hulks at this point. We don’t expect a very long scene with the Council of Reeds in Doomsday, should it happen. That movie is overcrowded enough as it is. But we have a strong feeling they’ll pop up before this Multiverse Saga is over. If not now, when? Doomsday provides the perfect opportunity. We hope Kevin Feige seizes the moment.

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