Ever since the post-credit scene of Thunderbolts teased a mysterious ship arriving in Earth-616, fan theories have erupted across the internet. But what if that ship isn’t Kree, Skrull, or even from a cosmic realm we’ve already seen? What if it’s something far more grounded… and far more Fantastic?
Let’s dive into a mind-bending theory: The ship in the Thunderbolts credit scene belongs to the surviving members of the Fantastic Four from Earth-838, and they’ve finally made their way to Earth-616 — seeking answers, revenge, or maybe something more complex after the tragic events of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Quick Recap: What Happened in Earth-838?
In Multiverse of Madness, Doctor Strange and America Chavez found themselves on Earth-838, a universe where the Illuminati was Earth’s premier superhero council. This version included:
- Professor X
- Captain Carter
- Black Bolt
- Maria Rambeau’s Captain Marvel
- Mordo
- Reed Richards, aka Mister Fantastic
During Wanda’s rampage as the Scarlet Witch, almost all the members of the Illuminati were brutally killed. Most notably, Reed Richards — introduced as the smartest man alive — was shredded by Wanda in a horrifying sequence.
But here’s where things get interesting.
The Case for Earth-838’s Fantastic Four Ship
Let’s break it down step by step.
1. Reed Richards Wasn’t Alone
It’s hard to believe someone as calculated as Earth-838’s Reed Richards would travel alone. His wife, Sue Storm (Invisible Woman), and his team likely remained on their Earth. It’s possible they stayed hidden from Wanda or were simply not involved with the Illuminati’s affairs.
After Reed’s death, the remaining Fantastic Four members — Sue, Johnny Storm (Human Torch), and Ben Grimm (The Thing) — could have discovered what happened and used multiversal tech to trace the chaos to Earth-616.
2. Reed’s Tech Hinted at Multiverse Navigation
In Multiverse of Madness, Reed arrived via a glowing, futuristic teleportation tunnel, possibly derived from multiversal tech. If that level of technology existed in Earth-838, the Fantastic Four would absolutely be capable of interdimensional travel.
So, the mysterious ship in Thunderbolts could very well be the product of Reed’s original multiverse designs, now used by his surviving team.
3. Motivation: Revenge or Rescue?
The emotional weight here is powerful. Imagine Sue Storm discovering her husband’s gruesome fate. Combine that with Johnny’s rage and Ben’s loyalty — it’s the perfect storm of motivation to travel across universes. But it might not be just about revenge…
They may also want to rescue Wanda, hoping she can still be redeemed — or perhaps warn Earth-616’s heroes about something much bigger coming their way.
4. The Timing Is Too Perfect
Thunderbolts is set just before Fantastic Four (2025). The MCU has slowly started introducing variants and multiversal incursions. Bringing in the 838 Fantastic Four now could:
- Set the stage for Earth-616’s Reed Richards to enter the scene.
- Explain how multiversal incursions begin escalating.
- Explore emotional arcs between alternate versions of characters.
Imagine an interaction between Earth-838’s Sue and Earth-616’s Doctor Strange. It’s drama waiting to explode.
Other Theories Supporting the Ship = Earth-838 FF
- The Design of the Ship: Fans online noted that the ship seen in the post-credit sequence had a similar energy signature to Reed’s teleportation tech in MoM.
- Multiverse Teases in Phase 5: From Loki Season 2 to Deadpool & Wolverine, Marvel has gone full throttle on multiverse storytelling. This could be the perfect soft launch for a deeper Fantastic Four narrative.
- Secret Wars Setup: Marvel is slowly aligning all universes. Introducing Earth-838 characters now plants emotional seeds for Secret Wars later — where universes will collide, and heroes must choose sides.
Conclusion: It’s More Than Just a Ship — It’s a Warning
If the ship is indeed Earth-838’s remaining Fantastic Four, we’re in for emotional, philosophical, and moral confrontations unlike anything in the MCU so far. It’s not just about new characters — it’s about loss, justice, multiversal chaos, and legacy.
This theory doesn’t just explain the ship — it could reframe the future of the entire Multiverse Saga.
Could Marvel be planting the seeds of Earth-838’s redemption? Or is this just another red herring before the Fantastic Four debut properly? Let’s talk theories in the comments.
