In The Fantastic Four: First Steps, audiences will undoubtedly witness the iconic quartet—Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch, and The Thing—unleash their signature abilities in a high-stakes battle to protect Earth from the colossal threat of Galactus. But could the film also introduce a younger powerhouse into the mix? Enter Franklin Richards.
During a recent interview with Empire Magazine, Vanessa Kirby, who portrays Sue Storm, offered a tantalizing hint that has sparked widespread speculation across the MCU fanbase: “It’s not just adults that have superpowers.” This cryptic remark carries significant weight, especially given the confirmation that her character is pregnant in the film—a narrative choice that paves the way for Franklin Richards’ debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Franklin’s arrival marks a pivotal moment for the MCU. As longtime readers of the Fantastic Four comics know, Franklin is far more than just the son of two superheroes. He is, in fact, one of the most powerful beings in the entire Marvel multiverse. Possessing reality-warping abilities from an early age, Franklin can reshape matter, conjure entire pocket dimensions, and wield telepathic and telekinetic powers that rival those of cosmic entities. His potential even extends to astral projection and consciousness manipulation across time and space.
Over the years, multiple future iterations of Franklin have appeared throughout Marvel continuity—often depicted as immortal guardians of existence itself. With such immense latent power, the possibility that Franklin could play a crucial role in repelling Galactus is now very much on the table. Kirby’s comment strongly implies that we may see glimpses of his abilities manifesting even in infancy, setting up his long-term importance in the MCU’s evolving narrative.
Art by Paco Medina. (Image Credit: Marvel)
The implications stretch beyond this film. The Fantastic Four cast is confirmed to appear in next year’s Avengers: Doomsday, sharing the screen with other major MCU figures. Given Doctor Doom’s looming presence as a central antagonist, Franklin’s reality-altering powers could become a key factor in the Avengers’ strategy—especially if Doom’s ambitions threaten the fabric of reality itself.
Meanwhile, recent leaks have offered fans a closer look at what to expect. A promotional Snapple label featuring Ralph Ineson’s portrayal of Galactus provided the clearest visual yet of the Devourer of Worlds in this film, confirming a more traditional, towering cosmic design. Additionally, a Funko Pop! leak revealed potential character costumes and scene compositions, further fueling anticipation.
With a runtime confirmed to be the longest in the MCU since Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023), The Fantastic Four: First Steps is clearly poised for an epic, multilayered story. And if Franklin Richards does indeed make his presence known—powered and ready—this could be just the beginning of a new era for the MCU.
