Well, this is a little bit different. Usually, I put out a review for a superhero movie before I go around asking a round of inconsequential questions. I simply couldn’t do that with Fantastic Four: First Steps, Marvel‘s latest entry in their grand Marvel Cinematic Universe due to some incredibly bad weather. So, we’re going to be doing things a little differently with this film. I will be putting out a review later this week but I’m going to go ahead and be asking my questions about Fantastic Four: First Steps now.

In honor of the titular team, I won’t be asking the regular four questions I usually do for this kind of thing. I will officially be asking just four questions for this film. While that may seem like a downgrade, I will be adding the usual BONUS questions so it’ll be fine. Also, as I will be talking about those little inconsequential questions about the plot and niggling things that were mentioned, I’m putting out the SPOILER WARNING now. You have been warned.

#1 What were Sue Storm and Johnny Storm‘s purpose during the mission that got them their superpowers?

I’m glad Marvel opted out of giving us another origin movie. I mean, we’ve had two live-action origin movies for the Fantastic Four. Three if you include the wonderfully cheesy unreleased Roger Corman version. We’re already familiar with the story. Four people go out to outer space and are bombarded with cosmic radiation. Reed Richards gains the ability to stretch and now calls himself Mister Fantastic. Ben Grimm becomes super strong and gets rock-like skin, turning him into The Thing. Sue Storm now has the ability to control over light itself and create force fields, becoming the Invisible Woman. The hothead Johnny Storm can now control fire and became the Human Torch.

However, this time around, I do have a question regarding why Sue Storm and Johnny Storm were picked to join this space mission. I get while Mister Fantastic and The Thing were involved; the former was the brains of the operation while the latter was the ship’s pilot. But what about Sue Storm and Johnny Storm?

Okay, they mention that they were the “best people” for the mission but what were the “best people” for what role? It’s never really mentioned what their scientific skills are so why were they part of the mission? I guess Sue Storm is good at diplomacy and/or publicity but how’s that useful in space? Were they expecting to contact alien life? Maybe Johnny Storm is good at languages because he did translate an alien language so he could communicate with this universe’s Silver Surfer. But, once again, were they going out there to talk to aliens? I just don’t know.

Speaking of the Silver Surfer…

#2 How does the Silver Surfer pick the planet for Galactus?

After the Silver Surfer announces heralds Galactus’ impending arrival and Earth’s destruction, the Fantastic Four soon learn that this is more than just an idle threat as they figure out most of the planets the Silver Surfer has been on have just exploded. In an attempt to save the world and ease the minds of the planet’s population, Marvel’s First Family then arrive at the latest location, they board Galactus’ world ship and learn from the Silver Surfer she is the one who picks which planets for Galactus to consume.

But how is the Silver Surfer picking these planets? Is there something like a particular criteria needed to satiate Galactus’ hunger? Do the planets need sentient life on it or will just regular organic life suffice? Does it even need to be a planet? Can it be an uninhabitable moon or a gas giant or maybe even a small star? Look, I know it’s explained in the comics but the movie doesn’t do so I have to ask the question here.

Speaking of the world’s population being scared…

#3 Where was Doctor Doom during the worldwide panic and the construction of the teleporters?

I guess it’s not a big secret anymore that, if you wait for the mid-credits scene, you see Doctor Doom show up on screen. We’ve all seen the scene by now. Sue Storm leaves Franklin Richards to get another book to read for her son. She hears a sound and goes on alert. When she gets back to Franklin, she sees a green cloaked figure bending down and talking to the child. As we do see the metal mask in his hand, there’s no doubt this is Doctor Doom.

As this takes place after Galactus tried to take Franklin Richards, I have to ask: where was Doctor Doom all this time? I mean, it’s already strongly hinted he’s active as, during the scene where Sue Storm managed to get all the world’s leaders to disarm their weapons of mass destruction, the Latveria delegation’s seats were empty. So, did Doctor Doom actually try to help out when the world got together to build the teleporters? I guess it’s possible Victor Von Doom wasn’t “Doctor Doom” during the events of the film and only became the villain afterwards, perhaps when the Latverian teleporter was destroyed by the Silver Surfer? Still, you would think he would’ve been involved because, you know, the world getting eaten wouldn’t be good for him, too?

Speaking of Galactus going after Franklin Richards…

#4 How would Franklin Richards solve Galactus’ hunger?

Despite all of Mister Fantastic’s tests, he was unable to determine what would happen if two cosmic powered humans have a child and what would happen to that child. Well, that’s answered in the middle of the movie. After arriving at Galactus’ world ship, the Devourer of Worlds gives the Fantastic Four an ultimatum: either watch their planet get consumed or have Reed Richards and Sue Storm give up their baby. They say “no” to both and thus starts a mad race to find a way to stop Galactus after they all escape back to earth.

Now, here’s the thing: Galactus mentions that, if he had Franklin Richards, he would never need to feed on planets anymore. But… how? How would Franklin Richards essentially satisfy Galactus’ hunger pangs? Would Galactus have to ingest him? Would he just keep on feeding on whatever cosmic power Franklin Richards has? I mean, it’s not really explained if the process would even harm Franklin Richards! I guess it’s heavily implied Franklin would die but this is a superhero movie. It could’ve just been something like the baby waving his hand and curing Galactus of his ulcer.

BONUS: Why doesn’t Mister Fantastic’s costume have the white collar accent like the rest of the Fantastic Four?

I do love how, as one of the first superhero teams, Marvel designed the Fantastic Four to have a certain look to show that they are a single unit. Okay, in the comics, The Thing wears a speedo instead of the uniform but it kind of makes sense as it makes it obvious how he’s the only one who doesn’t look human.

That makes it kind of doubly weird why, in Fantastic Four: First Steps, it’s Mister Fantastic who wears a different costume instead of The Thing.

To be fair, there are tiny variations to their costumes all around. The Human Torch and The Thing have a white stripe going down their sleeves. Invisible Woman has a a white collar. But how come Mister Fantastic doesn’t have the white accent in the neck and shoulder area? Is it because he’s the leader and white doesn’t make him look smart? Is it because the special effects people realized having that white accent would be a pain to do in CGI or look dumb when he starts stretching? It’s not a big deal but why does he have to stand out when you already have a rock-like person in your team who does that?

See? That bonus makes it five questions! You’re welcome!

What other inconsequential questions popped into your head? Let me know in the comments section below!