Fantastic Four: First Steps Creates a Historic Phase 6 Timeline shift on Disney+
Marvel Studios has officially rewritten MCU history with a major update to Disney+’s Complete Timeline Order. With the arrival of Fantastic Four: First Steps on November 5, Phase 6 has become the first MCU phase to bookend the entire timeline on the streamer — stretching from ancient Wakanda to the farthest point in the future.
Why Is Fantastic Four: First Steps Such a Historic Timeline Update?
First Steps is now placed at the very end of the MCU timeline, even though it exists in its own retro-futurist universe. Meanwhile, Eyes of Wakanda — the animated anthology set in ancient history — sits at the timeline’s earliest point.
This creates a unique scenario:
- Eyes of Wakanda anchors the beginning of the MCU
- Fantastic Four: First Steps anchors the end of the MCU
This is the first time a single phase claimed both extremes, a trend likely to continue as Phase 6 rolls out.
Why Did Phase 6 Break the Long-Standing MCU Timeline Pattern?
Until now, the MCU’s earliest story has been Captain America: The First Avenger, a Phase 1 movie set during World War II. But with the debut of Eyes of Wakanda, ancient Wakanda now defines the franchise’s oldest known events.
On the opposite end, Phase 6 began in July with the theatrical release of Fantastic Four, which allowed First Steps to become the franchise’s farthest point forward.
This combination resulted in a historic single-phase timeline takeover.
Where Will Each Upcoming Phase 6 Project Fit in the MCU Timeline?
Wonder Man — Where Does It Belong?
Wonder Man, arriving in January on Disney+, is expected to take place after Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, especially with Trevor Slattery playing a major role. Although mostly standalone, it will likely sit late in the timeline, but not at the very end.
VisionQuest — Will It Take the Timeline’s Final Spot?
VisionQuest is positioned to replace Wonder Man at the end of the timeline when it releases. The WandaVision sequel reportedly leads directly into Avengers: Doomsday, though the exact placement depends on where Marvel positions the Punisher Special Presentation and Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
Where Does the Punisher Special Presentation Fit?
Jon Bernthal’s one-off R-rated Special Presentation will occur sometime before Spider-Man: Brand New Day, since Frank Castle is confirmed to appear in that film. Its placement will likely be:
- After Wonder Man
- Before Brand New Day
- Close to Doomsday
How Does Spider-Man: Brand New Day Connect to Doomsday?
The Tom Holland-led film is set immediately before Avengers: Doomsday, potentially explaining why Peter Parker may have only a limited role in the crossover film. This movie is expected to directly follow the Punisher Special Presentation.
Why Will Avengers: Doomsday End Phase 6’s Timeline?
Avengers: Doomsday serves as Phase 6’s culminating event, uniting Avengers, X-Men, Fantastic Four, and other heroes to battle Doctor Doom in a sweeping Multiversal conflict. Everything in Phase 6 builds toward this story, making it the natural timeline endpoint before its sequel.
Will Avengers: Secret Wars Reset the MCU Timeline?
Avengers: Secret Wars, releasing in 2027, will conclude the Multiverse Saga. Early reports suggest it may reset the MCU timeline entirely, similar to the comic storyline it adapts.
If true, the Disney+ timeline could look dramatically different after Phase 7 begins — potentially altering what “earliest” and “latest” even mean for the franchise.
