Marvel Plans 'Fantastic Four' Sequel for 2028, Despite First Film's Release Weeks Away

Marvel Studios is reportedly moving swiftly on future plans, with a sequel to *The Fantastic Four: First Steps* already in the works—even though the film itself won’t hit theaters for another month. According to a recent report by Variety, an untitled follow-up to the upcoming Fantastic Four reboot is among several unannounced Marvel projects currently in development, including *Black Panther 3*, directed by Ryan Coogler, and the long-awaited *Blade* reboot.

This news follows Disney’s recent announcement of a mysterious fourth Marvel film slated for release on December 15, 2028—without revealing its title or plot details. This yet-to-be-identified movie will follow three other Marvel releases scheduled for February, May, and November of that year.

While fans are still waiting to see *First Steps*, it’s not surprising that Marvel is already looking ahead. The studio has expressed confidence in the film’s potential reception and has already confirmed that its main cast will play pivotal roles in *Avengers: Doomsday*. Sequel planning often begins early, especially when expectations are high.

Of course, Marvel also needs to evaluate which properties are worth continuing after a few underwhelming responses from recent MCU installments. Projects like *Eternals* appear to be on indefinite hold, while sequels for *Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania*, *The Marvels*, and *Captain America: Brave New World* seem unlikely due to their weaker box office performances.

Even some fan-favorite franchises may be taking a break. With director James Gunn now departed, the *Guardians of the Galaxy* series seems to be entering a cooling-off period. Meanwhile, audiences continue to express interest in characters like Shang-Chi and Doctor Strange, both of whom could benefit from future appearances—especially as the multiverse storyline continues to evolve.

Thor’s future remains uncertain as well. His most recent film received mixed reviews, and star Chris Hemsworth recently fueled speculation about his potential exit from the MCU with a cryptic social media post.

Given all this, a timely sequel to *The Fantastic Four: First Steps* appears to be a logical next step for Marvel—assuming the film delivers the impact the studio is hoping for. For now, the roadmap through 2027 is clear: *Spider-Man: Brand New Day* arrives on July 31, 2026, followed by *Avengers: Doomsday* on December 18, 2026, and *Avengers: Secret Wars* on December 17, 2027.

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