The Multiverse Saga has been introducing fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe to plenty of new and exciting concepts. That includes returning characters, with actors known for portraying Marvel characters in films that existed long before the MCU took form reprising their roles in cameos or significant supporting capacities, showing us the real beauty in what this chapter of the franchise's story is all about.
It's ensured that fans remained invested in the MCU's most stacked storyline yet in terms of titles, holding on through the ups and downs of the more recent projects. Yes, the Multiverse Saga has struggled in ways that the Infinity Saga did not, but it has held its own and brought the movie - and now TV - series back to where it needed to be.
With the Multiverse Saga now set to bow out with Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, some major returns are expected. That includes returns from the MCU, and potentially even more characters from before its own existence. And now a recent report claims it could feature one of the most beloved portrayals of a Marvel character.
Michael Chiklis rumored to return as The Thing in Avengers: Secret Wars
According to a recent report from Marvel scooper MarvelLeaks22, Michael Chiklis could be reprising his Fantastic Four role as The Thing in 2027's Avengers: Secret Wars. The rumor states that the upcoming MCU film could see Chiklis' version of The Thing fight an angry, evil version of the Hulk. Needless to say if that turned out to be the case, it would certainly be a thrilling moment for Marvel fans who have been longing to see the two titans square off on the big screen.
It would also be a neat way of honoring Chiklis' version of the character, which is deserved considering he is still the most recognizable version of the Marvel superhero. That might change given that we will meet the MCU's official version of the character in this year's The Fantastic Four: First Steps, but there is no denying that the classic iteration of The Thing was the one that so many people grew up watching (and is still the definitive version in their eyes).
Chiklis made his debut as Ben Grimm in 2005's Fantastic Four, introducing us all to the character right before he evolved into The Thing after being exposed to high levels of cosmic radiation in space - the accident that turned him and his friends into the heroic Fantastic Four. Though he was initially reluctant to be a hero, he soon realized that his new abilities could help people and, together, the foursome became an inspiration to those people. Chiklis reprised his role in 2007 sequel Rise of the Silver Surfer and although there was set to be a third movie, it was dropped in favor of the 2015 critically-reviled reboot.
It would definitely be nice to see Michael Chiklis appear in an MCU film for a cameo as it would be a nice nod to his work as the iconic Ben Grimm character. If it does happen, he would join his fellow Fantastic Four star Chris Evans in reprising his role from those movies. Although Evans went on to become the MCU's Captain America, he briefly returned in Deadpool and Wolverine to reprise the role of Johnny Storm, a.k.a. The Human Torch, for a cameo appearance.
There have also been rumors that their Fantastic Four co-stars Ioan Gruffudd and Jessica Alba could have roles in the Multiverse Saga too, with the former rumored for an appearance in this year's Fantastic Four reboot as part of the Council of Reeds, and the latter rumored for one of the many cameos in Avengers: Doomsday or Avengers: Secret Wars.
Wouldn't it be nice if we could see the original theatrical Fantastic Four together on-screen one more time?! Make it happen, Marvel!