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We are introduced to the Fantastic Four in 1968, narrated by the Watcher. They are already a premier super team and celebrities. That year they are confronted by the coming of Galactus in the classic comic fashion. Just like in the comic, Johnny finds the Ultimate Nullifier with the help of the Watcher. The plan to scare Galactus away with the Nullifier seems to work as first, but Galactus is not swayed. In a fit of rash anger, Johnny uses the Nullifier, but in the cinematic universe, the effects not only nullifies the wielder and those around him, it erases their entire timeline.
We are reintroduced to a new version of the Fantastic Four in modern times as Reed, Johnny, Ben, and Sue make their historic flight to study odd cosmic energy fluctuations, fearing another Chitauri invasion. As in the comics, their shielding fails and they become the Fantastic Four. Even as they come to terms with what happened to them, SHIELD tries to recruit them as replacements for the Avengers who are currently off fighting Thanos. Unfortunately, the Silver Surfer once again heralds the coming of Galactus who feels inexplicably draw to Earth to feed. As it was in the classic encounter, the Surfer turns on his master, the Watcher helps Johnny find the Nullifier, but this time Reed has time to analyze the device on the spot, modify it and then threaten Galactus with it. Reed was able to alter the effects of the Nullifier to only effect the target. This meant Reed could erase Galactus from the timeline ending his threat to the universe. Galactus was so startled by the sheer mental prowess of Reed Richards and by extent, the human race, that he leaves the planet, but not before trapping the Surfer on Earth and vowing to go back and consume Zenn-La, the Surfers home world.
When the Avengers return, they are greeted by a new (old) team based in New York, the Fantastic Four.
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Interesting, but what's the significance of the 1968 timeline?
I mean specifically, why is modern Reed able to suceed where 1968 Reed fails?
Is there a character or group dynamic difference explains it?
Cinematically, the split serves as a bridge between Marvel Comics and the MCU. The 1968 version could even be animated. It's also a narrative means of injecting the Fantastic Four directly into the MCU at a point where it is already established since they come late in the developed universe. Unlike Spider-Man, it's a lot more difficult to justify all the history that the FF bring with them without some definitive entry point that brings all of it in.
I guess I was asking how it fits into the character archs and dynamics. The existence of two timelines, one where the FF succeed and one where they fail immediately begs the question why? What's different between the two time lines? If the only difference is that Reed magically succeeds in one and fails in the other, well, that seems like a) a wasted opportunity for some good character driven storytelling and b) alot to ask audiences to sit through just the further the plot.
To me the obivous path would be for the group's squabling and petty differences to get the better them in 1968 (perhaps a fight with Ben is what triggers Johnny's rash behavior) whereas in the modern era they find a way to pull together due to some specific 'putting the good of the team ahead of myself' decisions on the part of the characters. This would explain to the audience why one team succeeded and the other failed and re-enforce the family dynamic that's at the core of the FF.
Well just my two cents ;)
My only other thought would be that you find a way to work Doom in there. Perhaps as a background thread that comes together at the end to setup the next picture.
Well the biggest difference between old and new FF is the team dynamic indicative of the times. In the Sixties, Reed is looked upon as the natural leader and everyone is supposed to take their cues from him. This fails, because Reed is more.scientist than leader. True to form, Reed gets ahold of a new piece of tech and the scientist takes over at a critical junction. They don't really have the team dynamic needed for the situation, allowing Johnny to act impulsively leading to disaster. The new Reed, although he is a scientist, he has also fostered a real team dynamic where a Sue with a stronger personality can act as a field leader when needed. Also, although not stated, it's implied that Reed gets a sense of "deja Vu" letting extrapolate the Nullifiers function.
I intentionally left Doom out as I feel he deserves his one origin story separate from the Fantastic Four.
Playing on the different societal norms between the two time periods is definitely an interesting direction. My only concern would be that it strips some of the agency out of the characters but I'm sure you could write it in such a way that it hits both points, ie the characters in the two timelines make different decisions, those decisions are in part driven by different societal norms around them.
You're right about Doom, he definitely deserves his own movie! :)
I dig it!
Don't blink.