After the casting announcement and Julia Garner joining The Fantastic Four as Shalla-Bal, the version of Silver Surfer, Marvel has dropped a concept art of the Human Torch to celebrate 4-4 day. Sure, the image looks like a simple greeting from Johnny Storm, but the link in the caption is more intriguing. Though it leads to a broken page, it strategically hides a QR code on Herbie the Robot’s body, leading to a different site of Future Foundation. As this gives birth to several theories, here’s what the Future Foundation is and its possible connection to the movie.
Posted on X on April 4, the image in question sees the Human Torch flying over a futuristic-looking city, seemingly hinting that The Fantastic Four will be set in a different universe. He draws “4” on the sky using his fire while the phrase, “Happy 4-4 Day!” can be seen above him. Alternatively, the movie’s site that comes in the caption leads to a 404 page that shows Herbie holding a cup with the film’s logo.
As it says that maybe Invisible Woman has hidden the page and asks the visitors to try again later, it also comes with an interesting question, “Or maybe there is more to this page?” True enough, a QR code is hiding on Herbie’s body that leads to the page of the Future Foundation and five free comic books: Fantastic Four (1961) #1, Fantastic Four (1961) #48, Fantastic Four (1961) #49, Fantastic Four (1961) #50, and Fantastic Four: Life Story (2021) #1, on Marvel Unlimited to prepare fans for the film’s release. As these issues tell the story of Marvel’s first family and the appearance of Silver Surfer and Galactus, which seems to confirm he will be the film’s villain, what does Future Foundation mean?
What is Future Foundation?
Reed Richards established the Future Foundation after resigning from Singularity, a body of the greatest minds who had grown old and were afraid of the future. It’s a think tank of the most brilliant young minds in the world, aiming to expand humanity's horizons across the universe and the multiverse by putting the future into the hands of those who live in it.
The first-class members of the foundation include Reed and Susan Richards’ kids, Franklin and the genius Valeria; the super-group Power Pack’s Alex; the holographic thought-projecting mutant Artie Maddicks; and the underground race Moloids’ advanced members Tong, Turg, Korr, and Mik. It also includes the Uhari children Vil and Wu and the android and former Fantastic Four villain Dragon Man.
After the Human Torch dies temporarily, the Fantastic Four is rebranded Future Foundation, and Spider-Man joins the team in 2011 FF #1. Reed reunites with his father, Nathaniel Richards, while Valeria recruits the Fantastic Four’s archnemesis, Doctor Doom, to join the new Future Foundation. As future iterations add more members to the team and change its roster, its mission to change the world for a better future remains.
What does the Future Foundation mean for Marvel’s The Fantastic Four?
As the new concept art for The Fantastic Four features the Future Foundation, it seems to confirm the rumors that Franklin and Valeria Richards will indeed appear in the movie. The Marvel Cinematic Universe is now featuring the Multiverse Saga, and with the introduction of this group, it looks like there may be a new superhero team in the works.
Richards’ kids are just two of the foundation’s many members, and more may be coming to the franchise. However, fans are advised to take these assumptions with a grain of salt, as nothing is confirmed yet. But now that Marvel has been dropping hints about the film, more teasers may be coming soon.
The Fantastic Four is scheduled to premiere on July 25, 2025. With the revelation of the Future Foundation and the five comic books, it looks like Marvel has just hinted at where the film is going to.
