Marvel Studios is taking taking the MCU in a wild direction with The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and the biggest reveal yet is the introduction of Franklin Richards, one of the most powerful characters in Marvel Comics history.
Fans have been talking about Franklin’s role for months, and now Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige is teasing just how important he will be to the Marvel Cinematic Universe moving forward.
For those unfamiliar, Franklin Richards is the son of Reed Richards and Sue Storm, and in the comics, he’s an Omega-level mutant with reality-warping abilities that rival cosmic gods. His presence alone signals that Marvel isn’t playing it safe with the First Family’s MCU debut.
Feige explained the decision to include Franklin during a recent press roundtable:
“Well, I think, as always, look at the comics. Look at the comics. There is great potential with Franklin. There’s great potential in the other child. And, I mean, really, the reason to do it first is that it had never been done before.
“There have been four movies, as you’re well aware. And Franklin had never been a part of that. So, as we were looking for ways to set it apart, to do a definitive version of Fantastic Four, we thought the notion of that child and his importance to come would be a good place to start and embrace. And that’s certainly what Matt embraced.”
This is huge because Franklin’s comic history is tied to some of Marvel’s most iconic storylines, including his encounters with Galactus. He’s so powerful that he’s resurrected the world-devourer and even served as his herald.
Feige’s mention of “the other child” also points to Valeria Richards, Reed and Sue’s second child, whose genius-level intellect has deep ties to none other than Doctor Doom. With Doom confirmed to appear in Avengers: Doomsday, Marvel is clearly laying the groundwork for a storyline that will be heavily inspired by the comics.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is a foundational piece of the Multiverse Saga. Set entirely on Earth-828 in a retro-futuristic 1960s, the movie takes some really cool creative swings by leaning into Jack Kirby-inspired aesthetics. This fresh timeline also allows Marvel to introduce the badass villain Galactus, played by Ralph Ineson, and a Shalla-Bal version of the Silver Surfer, portrayed by Julia Garner.
With his Franklin Richards’ universe-shaping powers, he could be the MCU’s ultimate trump card in the looming multiversal war against Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps hits theaters on July 25, and it’s clear this movie is shaping the future of the MCU in a massive way.
