The MCU Just Gave Us Its Most Baffling Villain Redemption Arc

Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for The Fantastic Four: First Steps.The Fantastic Four: First Steps features a couple of villain redemption arcs, but one of them was quite unexpected. After a long time, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has finally seen the arrival of its First Family. By the time The Fantastic Four: First Steps ends, these characters are set up with a rich history for the MCU’s upcoming projects.

The MCU movie does many things right, chief among them being its world-building. Set in a new universe, the Fantastic Four movie takes its time to explore the team’s backstory and battles against multiple villains early on. While The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ post-credits scene debuts a hard-to-redeem villain, the MCU film shockingly redeemed another foe before that.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps Gives Mole Man A Redemption Arc

The MCU Movie Is Not Afraid Of Marvel Comics’ Sillier Characters And Concepts

When Marvel cast Paul Walter Hauser as the Mole Man, I knew he was set to be a standout in the film. After having watched The Fantastic Four: First Steps, I can confidently say that was the case, though I was shocked by how the MCU movie used the Fantastic Four villain. While Mole Man fought them in the past, he changed.

Hauser’s Mole Man came to an understanding with Vanessa Kirby’s Sue Storm. As such, she was able to call upon him to help the citizens of New York City when Galactus came calling for Franklin Richards. Mole Man took in all the citizens, with his kingdom of Subterranea withstanding Galactus’ descent. By the end of the film, Mole Man was a hero.

As a character usually used as the butt of jokes, I was shocked that Marvel decided to give Mole Man such an integral role in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. While the Silver Surfer turning on Galactus to help the world was something I expected to happen, I did not anticipate Mole Man being a good guy in his debut.

Mole Man’s MCU Redemption Arc Makes A Future Appearance Seem Way More Likely

With Mole Man’s turn for good in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, I’m sure we have not seen the last of the character. Shockingly, despite all the theories to the contrary, the Fantastic Four’s Earth was not destroyed by the end of the MCU movie. As such, all of its characters and history could come back in the upcoming Avengers movies.

Mole Man could be of service to the team again. Doctor Doom’s debut in The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ post-credits scene puts Franklin Richards at risk. If Robert Downey Jr.’s MCU villain were to kidnap Franklin, the Fantastic Four would follow him. After The Fantastic Four: First Steps, I believe Mole Man could rise to defend Earth in their absence.