The Fantastic Four are on their way into the MCU, and fans cannot be more hyped. After an entire decade since Fox’s last attempt at a Fantastic Four franchise, Marvel Studios is putting the rights of the character to good use, connecting the team with the wider Marvel Cinematic Universe, which would have the characters co-exist with the X-Men and The Avengers.
A new rumor reportedly suggests that the film is going to dwell pretty deep into the First Family’s mythology in the comics, with a key mutant making their way into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Audiences already know that it is not going to be an origin story, but bringing this particular character into the film could change the course of the entire franchise altogether.
Franklin Richards might be in The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Franklin Richards, the son of Reed Richards and Sue Storm, might be in Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps. While there is no official proof to go on, the film might feature Franklin for a multitude of reasons. To begin with, the character is a Nexus Being, something that we have only seen one of so far. It is in the franchise’s interest to introduce more Nexus Begins so that the concept can be fleshed out a little more in the MCU.
Further, Franklin Richards is a mutant, which would make it easier to integrate the various superhero factions together, even if they end up staying in separate universes at the end of Secret Wars.
The arrival of Franklin Richards almost always means that fans will be treated to Valeria Richards in the MCU as well. Valeria would join the ranks of Reed Richards, Tony Stark, and Hank Pym as one of the smartest people in the universe, should she be introduced in the MCU.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps could introduce another important multiversal faction
There have been three versions of Reed Richards in live-action, four if we were to count the unreleased film from the 90s. Given that Marvel has been doing very well with films that go across the multiverse and bring back actors who have essayed roles from Marvel films before and parallel to the MCU.
Miles Teller, Ioan Gruffudd, and John Krasinski could return as different versions of Reed in the MCU, who could either assist Pedro Pascal‘s version of the character or set up a group of antagonists for him to go up against, like in the comics.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps might not be a multiverse film, but the Council of Reeds can still make an appearance in the post-credit scene of the film, perhaps setting up a sequel, or Secret Wars itself. Given that Doctor Doom is set to be the antagonist for Avengers 5, it would make sense for the Fantastic Four to appear in the mainline MCU before that.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps lands in theatres on July 25, 2025
