14 years later, the MCU's new Fantastic Four vehicle finally brings Howard Stark's first dream to life

The revelation that The Fantastic Four: First Steps The Fantasticar will finally realize Howard Stark's dream from 2011 Captain America: The First Avenger in the MCU. More was revealed about The Fantastic Four: First Steps at this year's San Diego Comic-Con, including the announcement of a new title and the screening of pre-viz footage. This provided a first look at Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as the cast of the Fantastic Four, but Kevin Feige and director Matt Shakman had another reveal in store.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is one of the most anticipated upcoming films from Marvel Studios. Reintroducing Marvel's First Family in live-action is a tall order, but The film's retro-futuristic style, alternate universe, and team familial dynamic will help produce the most faithful and entertaining Fantastic Four yet. Display for the MCU. Setting The Fantastic Four: First Steps in a 1960s version means that some of the classic elements of the titular team from Marvel Comics can be introduced, and that includes the Fantasticar.

The Fantasticar will appear in “Fantastic Four: First Steps”

Not only did Matt Shakman, Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrach appear on the SDCC stage together with Marvel boss Kevin Feige, the audience in Hall H was also able to take a look at the Fantasticar. The Fantasticar was introduced in Marvel Comics in 1962 as the primary transportation for Marvel's First Family. Fantastic Four #3. The classic Fantasticar's silly flying bathtub design was updated in 1963. Fantastic Four #12but was reconfigured for the live action of the MCU The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

The Fantasticar in The Fantastic Four: First Stepsat least the one that flew over the crowd at the SDCC is much more reminiscent of a real car. The one in the typical blue color of the Fantastic Four and without the wheels of a more traditional car. MCU’s Fantasticar is reminiscent of an old Cadillac, described as “straight out of The Jetsons.” This is different from the Fantasticar from 2007. Fantastic Four: The Rise of the Silver Surfer or even in the void in Deadpool and Wolverinebut could instead tie in with the MCU’s own story.

The Fantasticar bears similarities to Howard Stark's flying car from the 1943 Stark Expo

Since the new version of the Fantasticar in the MCU looks much more like a real car than previous live-action depictions of the vehicle, It has some similarities to another flying car that was already seen in Phase 1. In 2011 Captain America: The First AvengerSteve Rogers and Bucky Barnes visit the World Exposition of Tomorrow in 1943, hosted by Howard Stark. During the event, Stark presented his prototype of a flying car. Versions of this vehicle were later used in Agent Carter And Agents of SHIELDbut not in the canonical continuity of the MCU.

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It is very possible that Howard Stark's flying car prototype in the parallel universe of The Fantastic Four: First Stepswhich perhaps suggests that the Fantasticar could be one of Stark's own designs. This would be a great way to pay off a 14-year-old storyline from the first part of the MCU. Captain America Film that connects the new Fantastic Four team to the wider world of the MCU while also explaining one of the team's stranger toys from Marvel Comics. It's even possible that Howard Stark himself will appear during the film. The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

Howard Stark could appear in “Fantastic Four: First Steps”

It is unclear how similar The Fantastic Four: First Steps' alternate universe will be part of the main timeline of the MCU. However, it is quite possible that Howard Stark and Abraham Erskine still made Steve Rogers Captain America (or perhaps Peggy Carter Captain Carter) in the 1940s. If this is the case, Howard Stark's appearance in the Fantastic Four's debut film would make perfect sense, as he would be one of the smartest people in the world.next to Mister Fantastic by Reed Richards.

In the known history of the MCU Howard Stark was at the peak of his career in the 1960s, 70s and 80sso it is possible that this is also the case in The Fantastic Four: First StepsThis gives Dominic Cooper the opportunity to play his role Captain America: The First Avenger, Agent Carter And What if…?, He brings back his younger version of Howard Stark after a rejuvenated John Slattery played the character from 1970 in Avengers: EndgameIt would be great if Howard Stark and Reed Richards' paths crossed in Phase 6 of the MCU.

Fantastic Four (2025)

Marvel's Fantastic Four is the first MCU film to feature Marvel's First Family in the same live-action universe as the Avengers. It introduces the Marvel Cinematic Universe versions of Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Ben Grimm, and Johnny Storm, and precedes Phase 6 with Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars.

director

Matt Shakman

Release date

July 25, 2025

Studio(s)

Marvel Studios