Kevin Feige and Marvel Studios made several announcements in San Diego Comic-Con Hall H. One of the announcements was regarding the upcoming Fantastic Four movie. Everyone has been speculating over the director and the casting of the main characters. But we are here to talk about a much more interesting rumor. H.E.R.B.I.E. might appear in Fantastic Four. Who is H.E.R.B.I.E. you ask? Well, let’s get into it.

The ultimate robot sidekick

H.E.R.B.I.E. was created for an animated adaptation of the Fantastic Four in 1978. Unfortunately, they couldn’t acquire the rights to The Human Torch. This resulted in the need for a fourth member to complete the team. That’s when Stan Lee suggested and co-created H.E.R.B.I.E., the fantastic four’s robot aid, with Jack Kirby. Following the 13-episode animated stint, he was also written into the comics and thus immortalized in the Marvel Universe. The full form of H.E.R.B.I.E. is Humanoid Experimental Robot B-type Integrated Electronics.

His origin story 

H.E.R.B.I.E. was created by Mr. Fantastic, Master Xar and a villain called Doctor Sun. H.E.R.B.I.E. was to help them in their search for Galactus. They were looking for Galactus as they were facing a force even more powerful, a villain known as Sphinx. However, Doctor Sun was up to no good and had uploaded his own consciousness into the robot. He used this opportunity to manipulate the events and try to kill the Fantastic Four, although failing at it. But like we said, H.E.R.B.I.E was the ultimate robot aid. The moment he was free from Doctor Sun’s control, he sacrificed himself like the hero he was and destroyed Doctor Sun.

Concluding the rumors

As the adorable brave robot won over audiences, fans and critics alike, writers had no choice but to integrate him into the comics somehow. He eventually returned as the fun babysitter of Franklin Richards, the son of Reed Richards and Sue Storm. Moreover, despite this being a new version of H.E.R.B.I.E., he can still sense Galactus and thus could be a major character in upcoming Fantastic Four adventures. This is especially considering that Galactus is one of the most iconic and powerful villains of the Fantastic Four.

Fans have also noticed Marvel’s propensity for humor in their projects. This is quite undeniable when taking into account Thor: Ragnarok, Love and Thunder, She-Hulk and many others. Including H.E.R.B.I.E. in the upcoming movie could also serve as comic relief. Fans definitely love the idea and have been casting the role using online polls. Some of them really want Bill Hader, who was Alpha in the Power Rangers 2017 movie, to voice this iconic little robot. Plus, Marvel does take into account fan reactions as seen from the christening of ‘Smart Hulk’, a name given by fans during Endgame, in the first episode of She-Hulk: Attorney at law. So, we’re putting it out there too and hoping for the best!