“I Was Obsessed With That”: Vanessa Kirby Hints at a Potential Villain Era for Sue Storm in ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ -

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is doing something different compared to the other Fantastic Four films – shifting the focus away from Doctor Doom. While it was confirmed that Robert Downey Jr. will play the iconic villain in Avengers: Doomsday, The Fantastic Four will face Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and the Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) before battling against that notable foe. But there could be room for one more Fantastic Four villain, according to Vanessa Kirby during an interview with Entertainment Weekly.

The Susan Storm actress revealed in an interview that one of the things she likes about her character is not just her powers or how she’s a hero, but rather how she eventually becomes Malice, a villain that was introduced in 1985. While it’s no secret that First Steps isn’t an origin story, we don’t know how long it has been since the team first came together. There could be past events that could lead to the manifestation of Malice. Regardless, Kirby says that she kept some tones of Malice in her character, showing that this version of the Invincible Woman isn’t just a “stereotype of a goody, sweet mother” and wanted to showcase “the mess of femininity.”

“Matt and I were really aware that there hasn’t really been a mother with a baby in these superhero archetypes women have been getting. One of the things I love most from Sue’s history is when she becomes Malice, and all her dark stuff comes out. I was obsessed with that chapter of her life. So I wanted to make sure that there were tones of Malice in there with her, that she wasn’t just the stereotype of a goody, sweet mother. I’ve always been really interested in the mess of femininity, and how can you be both? How can you be all the things? Not just the tough, invincible, powerful woman, but also a mother who gives birth, which is itself a superhero act. I love that these characters are real humans in a messy family who argue and try to work it out and get things wrong.”

If Malice Does Enter The MCU, She Won’t Be The Only Matriarchal Villain

Elizabeth Olsen as Scarlet Witch in Multiverse of Madness — Image via Marvel Studios

Malice came to be in the comics when Susan was depressed due to a miscarriage during her second pregnancy. This tragedy made it easy for Psycho-Man to manipulate her, which led, which leads to her becoming Malice. She does return to her normal self thanks to Reed Richards, but her time as a villain deeply affected her. While there isn’t any confirmation that Malice will face our heroes in the MCU in the future, the possibility is there. And if that’s the case, then she wouldn’t be the only matriarchal villain the franchise has introduced. In 2023, Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) became the villain in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, as she wanted America Chavez’s (Xochitl Gomez) powers to reunite with her children, Billy (Julian Hilliard) and Tommy (Jett Klyne). This led to a conflict between Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) and the Scarlet Witch, where she would chase the Marvel superhero across the multiverse to get what she wanted.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps will be released in theaters on July 25, 2025. Follow Collider to keep up to date with the latest updates.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps

Release Date: July 25, 2025
Director: Matt Shakman
Writers: Jeff Kaplan, Josh Friedman, Ian Springer, Eric Pearson, Jack Kirby, Stan Lee
Producers: Jamie Christopher, Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Tim Lewis
Franchise(s): Marvel Cinematic Universe