Let’s talk about it: the MCU is back to doing what it does best — making you fall in love with a character just to tear your heart out two hours later.

And this time, it might be H.E.R.B.I.E , the lovable robot from The Fantastic Four: First Steps , who ends up being more than just a quirky sidekick. He might even be… dead by the end of the movie.

Yup. Based on recent comments from director Matt Shakman and the ominous vibes coming from the trailers, fans are already preparing for emotional devastation — and H.E.R.B.I.E might be at the center of it all.

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🚨 Why Are We Worried About H.E.R.B.I.E?

Because Marvel doesn’t just introduce characters for no reason. Especially not ones described like this:

“He’s charming, he’s funny — but he also will break your heart… Which I hope is emblematic of the movie.”

That quote? From none other than Matt Shakman , director of WandaVision and now Fantastic Four: First Steps . And when someone says “this character will break your heart,” it usually means one thing:

They’re not going to make it.

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🤖 Who Is H.E.R.B.I.E Anyway?

Short answer: he’s a robot. Long answer: he’s the emotional glue that holds the team together while also cracking jokes and helping Ben Grimm cook dinner.

In the comics, H.E.R.B.I.E (Humanoid Experimental Robot B-Type, Fourth Edition) was introduced in the 1970s as a replacement for Rick Jones in the team dynamic. He quickly became a fan favorite — not because he could shoot lasers or fly, but because he had personality, sass, and a soft spot for family.

And in First Steps , it seems like he’s been given the same treatment. His bond with Ben Grimm/The Thing has already been teased in trailers, and if you’ve ever cried over Vision or Yondu — prepare yourself.

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🌌 The Galactus Threat Is Real — And Someone Has to Pay the Price

This isn’t just a superhero origin story. It’s a full-blown cosmic catastrophe.

The upcoming film introduces Galactus , one of the most powerful beings in the Marvel Universe — and unlike Thanos, he doesn’t care about balance. He cares about snacks. And Earth is looking delicious.

So how do you show the audience that this threat is real? You don’t just destroy buildings. You destroy people. And considering we barely know the main cast yet, killing off a beloved supporting figure like H.E.R.B.I.E makes tragic sense.

Think of it like this:

• Yondu made us cry without being an Avenger.
• Loki made us question everything we thought about villains.
• Vision made us believe in synthetic souls.

So why wouldn’t Marvel pull the same trick with a rolling toaster who thinks he’s part of the family?

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⚰️ Killing H.E.R.B.I.E Would Fit MCU’s Tragic Pattern

Marvel loves to surprise its audience by giving them someone they didn’t expect to love — and then taking them away too soon.

Case in point:

• Yondu sacrificed himself for Peter Quill
• Iron Man gave his life for the universe
• Vision died twice (once emotionally, once physically)
• Loki got stabbed by a version of himself (ouch)

And let’s not forget:

• Agatha Harkness went from villain to fan-fave in one season
• Heimdall got axed in the first five minutes of Infinity War

So yes, Marvel has a track record of making us love the expendable.

And now? H.E.R.B.I.E is walking right into that trap.

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🧠 What Does This Mean For the Story?

Killing off a core “family” member — even if he’s technically a robot — sends a clear message:

This isn’t just another Marvel blockbuster. This is war.

It also helps establish Galactus as a legitimate, unstoppable force. Because if he can take down a character who’s literally built to serve the team, imagine what he’ll do to humans.

Plus, it gives the team a reason to unite against a common enemy — and maybe even go full Avengers-style revenge mode in future sequels.

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📺 How Could It Happen?

There are a few ways this could go down:

1. Sacrificial Hero Moment : H.E.R.B.I.E stays behind to stop Galactus’ ship from landing — like a metallic Iron Man.
2. Red Shirt Strategy : He gets destroyed during a fight sequence early on, raising the stakes for the rest of the team.
3. Emotional Gut-Punch : He sacrifices himself to save Johnny Storm, delivering one last joke before shutting down forever.

Whichever way it goes, if the movie wants to leave audiences sobbing into their popcorn, H.E.R.B.I.E is the perfect candidate.

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🧬 Final Thoughts: Don’t Get Too Attached

We know it’s hard not to fall for H.E.R.B.I.E — especially after seeing him roast Reed Richards while flipping pancakes with Thing.

But based on the tone of the movie, the multiverse precedent set by Thunderbolts’ post-credits scene , and the fact that no one survives unscathed in Phase 6 , we have to ask ourselves:

Is H.E.R.B.I.E here to stay…

Or just here to die?

Either way, get ready to cry over a robot. Again.