WARNING: Spoilers for Fantastic Four: First Steps ahead!
After initially being introduced as one of the supervillains the Fantastic Four fought during their first four years of existence, Paul Walter Houser’s scene-stealing Harvey Elder, aka Mole Man, eventually became an integral ally to Ned Richards, Sur Storm, Ben Grimm, and Johnny Storm in Fantastic Four: First Steps. Thanks to him ruling over the Subterranean, the citizens of New York were safely hidden in the underworld during the superhero team’s final battle with Galactus. But there was a scene between Harvey and Sue that didn’t make it into First Steps ‘ final cut, though we now know how it would have gone due to some of the film’s 2025 script.
Storyboard artist Simeon Wilkins shared these scenarios he drew on Instagram that show Sue, by herself and in civilian clothes, entering the subterranea to meet with Mole Man, who is protected by moloids.
Those who have seen Fantastic Four: First Steps will remember that Sue Storm, aka the Invisible Woman, was one of the surface dwellers that Harvey Sr. trusted. Thanks to her, a peace deal was brokered between the subterranea and the Surface World, and when she came to him to help make sure there were no casualties when Galactus arrived in the Big Apple. This comes even after Sue’s husband Reed, aka Mister Fantastic, mischievously referred to the elder as Mole Man.
Now, thanks to Simeon Wilkins posting these scenarios on social media, we know how Sue Storm got the ball rolling on this deal. Now, to the average person, going underground would be a scary prospect, especially with all those moloids looking at you creepy as you head to meet their ruler. But this is Sue we’re talking about! Between turning herself invisible and being able to create force fields, she could hold her own if things take a turn for the worse underground.
Mole Man made his comic book debut at the same time as the Fantastic Four, so it’s great that he’s finally making an appearance on the silver screen 60 years later. Tim Blake Nelson’s character in 2015’s Fantastic Four was originally going to be Harvey Elder, but his name was changed to Harvey Allen during reshoots. With a sequel to First Steps reportedly already in development, here’s hoping we get to see more of Paul Walter Houser’s character interacting with the team.
In the meantime, the Fantastic Four will return in December 2026 with Avengers: Doomsday , followed by Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027. Fantastic Four: First Class is still playing in theaters, but expect it to become available to stream with a Disney+ subscription before the end of the year.
