Matt Shakman Says Fantastic Four Set on Earth-828 to Avoid Thanos Plot Hole

Note: This post contains spoilers for Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

Matt Shakman, the director of the upcoming The Fantastic Four: First Steps, revealed that one of the reasons the Fantastic Four are from a different universe is to avoid the question of why they didn’t step in during Thanos’ attack.

In an interview with SFX during The Fantastic Four: First Steps cast and director event at BFI IMAX in the UK, Shakman said the reason they chose to place the Fantastic Four on a different Earth was because of the question: “Where were they when Thanos arrived? They would have helped.” He added that the Earth in The Fantastic Four: First Steps is Earth-828, in honor of Jack Kirby’s birthday (8/28).

Shakman said, “So, by putting them back in the ’60s, we were getting close to their point of origin, which felt like the right place for them to be. But we didn’t want them to be on this Earth — or on the Earth with the other Marvel characters — because where were they when Thanos came, right? They would have helped out.”

He added, “They would have solved the problem then. So, we put them on a different Earth — Earth-828 — a different part of the Marvel multiverse.”

Shakman also teased that the IMAX aspect ratio in The Fantastic Four: First Steps expands to 1.43:1 whenever Galactus appears.

Recently, we received early reactions from a 30-minute fan screening of The Fantastic Four: First Steps. “The plot appears to revolve around Sue (Vanessa Kirby) and Franklin Richards. Several villains show up, with others being referenced. Ben (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) and Johnny (Joseph Quinn) also make a strong impression.”

Here’s the plot details for The Fantastic Four: First Steps:

Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps introduces Reed Richards / Mister Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm / Invisible Woman (Kirby), Johnny Storm / Human Torch (Quinn), and Ben Grimm / The Thing (Moss-Bachrach) as they face their most daunting challenge yet. Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, they must defend Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner). And if Galactus’ plan to devour the entire planet — and everyone on it — weren’t bad enough, it suddenly gets very personal.

The film also stars Paul Walter Hauser, John Malkovich, Natasha Lyonne, and Sarah Niles. Directed by Shakman, produced by Kevin Feige, and executive produced by Louis D’Esposito, Grant Curtis, and Tim Lewis.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps hits theaters and IMAX on July 25, 2025.

Source: SFX

RELATED: Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps — Plot Details Reportedly Leaked Online