Marvel Just Teased The MCU’s Evil Human Torch Before Fantastic Four
Warning: SPOILERS for Moon Knight episode 4!
Marvel Studios just secretly teased the Marvel Cinematic Universe's evil Human Torch before Fantastic Four in Moon Knight episode 4. The Fantastic Four are on their way to the MCU, as Marvel Studios is working on a solo movie for the superhero family. Speculation has swirled throughout Phase 4 about any possible setup for Marvel's First Family, but so far Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch, and The Thing have yet to appear. Moon Knight is unlikely to be where the Fantastic Four make their debut, but that hasn't stopped the MCU from teasing its evil counterpart to Human Torch in the series.
Despite the limited MCU connections that Moon Knight has, the biggest impact the series will have on the future is its expansion of the supernatural and the introduction of more gods. This could help pave the way for Moon Knight to crossover with Black Knight or Blade in the future, while the gods could become victims for Thor: Love and Thunder's villain, Gorr the God Butcher. The latter has not stopped the series from introducing various deities, with Moon Knight episode 4 including the hippo goddess Taweret. It is through her debut that Marvel Studios could establish a connection to a fire-powered Moon Knight villain.
Taweret's role in Moon Knight episode 4 is incredibly minor. Her story in Egyptian mythology could be used to possibly explain why she's appearing in the MCU Disney+ show, but it might also set up the MCU's evil Human Torch. In Egyptian mythology, Ra is the name of the sun god, and he has a female counterpart known as the Eye of Ra. One myth tells the story of the Eye of Ra transforming into Taweret's form as she rebels against Ra. If the hippo goddess Taweret has a similar backstory in the MCU's mythology, then Ra is officially part of the MCU canon. He might be already considering Ra is also Khonshu's father. This could mean that he has his own Avatar on Earth and has granted him fire-related abilities, similar to Human Torch.
Ra, also known as Amon-Ra, became a key player in Moon Knight's comic stories in recent years thanks to the introduction of Sun King. His Avatar is only known as Patient 86, who is a former Christian and army veteran diagnosed with bipolar disorder. He has many of the same powers that the Fantastic Four's Human Torch has, as his pryokinesis can turn his entire body into fire. Sun King went on to hunt down Moon Knight due to Amon-Ra's hatred of Khonshu and disrupted various parts of Marc Spector, Steven Grant, and Jake Lockley's lives.
Unless Sun King makes a surprise appearance in the final two episodes of Moon Knight, it could be a close race to see if he does join the MCU before the proper Human Torch in Fantastic Four. Sun King would be a great foe for Moon Knight season 2, but it is unclear if Marvel Studios will make another season of the show or move Oscar Isaac's superhero to the big screen for his next adventures. If that happens, then there might not be a place for Marvel's evil Human Torch.
Moon Knight releases new episodes every Wednesday on Disney+.