Unlike other Marvel TV shows, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. has always tried its best to tie itself into the wider canvas of the MCU, even if its connection to Avengers: Infinity War was a little subpar. But we’d forgive it if this new fan theory turns out to be true in any way, as it claims that S.H.I.E.L.D. might be paving the way for the Fantastic Four to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
You might be skeptical about this, which is fair enough. After all, we all know that Marvel Studios isn’t planning ahead about what they might do with Fox’s toys until the Disney buyout goes through (which it might not). However, this seemingly outlandish theory has been addressed and even encouraged by someone who would definitely know the truth: Marvel Television President Jeph Loeb.
Loeb held an AMA on Reddit the other day and one of the questions from fans came in the form of a lengthy post which compiled all the evidence that suggests S.H.I.E.L.D. has been subtly building up to the Fantastic Four’s introduction all along. The fan expected his theory to be shot down in flames, but Loeb gave a surprisingly teasing answer in reply, saying: “You’re not crazy. But thats all I can say!”
So, what evidence is there that links the ABC series with Marvel’s First Family? Well, for starters, according to this Reddit user, the term “Doom” has been uttered many times throughout the show’s history. In particular, season 3 big bad Hive even said “I’m Doom.” Though Hive was defeated, it’s possible he survived in the vacuum of space and may have just found a new host in the form of Graviton. Could the resulting villain become Doctor Doom?
As for the FF themselves, the user theorizes that FitzSimmons are the S.H.I.E.L.D. versions of Reed Richards and Sue Storm. Apart from becoming the MCU’s “First Family” when they encounter their son, Deke, from the future in season 5, the couple are said to change their names somewhere down the road – perhaps to Reed and Sue. Other clues point to S.H.I.E.L.D. concepts being stand-ins for FF-related ideas, like the Fear Dimension/Negative Zone, S.H.I.E.L.D. Academy/Empire State University and alien energy/cosmic radiation.
Of course, for all this to work, it would require a giant stretch of the imagination that even Mr. Fantastic might not be able to achieve, but Loeb’s response does suggest that there’s something in all this that’s bang on the money. We’re just not sure what, and we probably won’t find out until Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. season 6 arrives in summer 2019.
