First Steps’ Trailer Just Confirmed the Arrival of a Massive Marvel Character and Comic Fans Should Be Very Excited -

The most recent Fantastic Four: First Steps trailer has officially confirmed Vanessa Kirby’s Sue Storm will be pregnant in the MCU’s take on the team. Although Mister Fantastic and the Invisible Woman have been parents for quite a while in the comic books, the previous live-action adaptations of Marvel’s First Family haven’t gotten to cover this point. The couple’s eldest son is Franklin Richards, and, even while still being a teenager, he’s had a great impact on the Marvel universe as a whole. With Kirby’s Sue being pregnant from the start, Franklin’s debut in the MCU should come sometime soon, and this would be a total game-changer for the franchise.

Franklin Richards is One of the Most Powerful Beings in Marvel Comics

Villains Have Tried to Siphon His Powers Once and Again

With Reed and Sue conceiving Franklin after the fateful journey that modified their genes, he was born with abilities as well, thus making him a mutant. Throughout his journey in Marvel Comics, Franklin is able to manipulate reality, as well as matter and energy. He has also displayed psionic abilities such as telekinesis and telepathy. In more recent Marvel history, his power level was singled out by the Celestials as being beyond Omega-level mutants.

Since he was a baby, Franklin’s powers made him a person of interest to beings like Annihilus and Mephisto, whether it was to steal them or make use of them through him. A notorious villain who once kidnapped Franklin was Onslaught – the amalgamation of Magneto and Professor X’s consciousnesses. In order to defeat Onslaught, the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, and the Hulk had to sacrifice themselves. But Franklin’s powers allowed him to keep them alive – and eventually bring them back – in an alternate pocket universe that he very casually carried around in the shape of a ball.

Until Very Recently, Franklin Richards was One of the Most Powerful Mutants on Earth

Franklin Fell Victim to the Usual Marvel Retcons

Franklin Richards with power emanating from his hands — Image via Marvel Comics

At his young age, Franklin has been through hell and back. During the X-Men’s Krakoan Age, given that his powers were depleting, he was invited to be part of the mutant utopia. With the resurrection technology the mutants were now mastering, they’d be able to help him get his powers back fully. But, another discovery of the utmost relevance was made – Franklin has never been a mutant.

The Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) looking fierce in The Fantastic Four: First Steps

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Instead, his anatomy was subconsciously rewritten by himself to appear as one. This revelation not only shut the doors of Krakoa to Franklin but also made him conscious of the full extent of his powers. Deciding to have a normal life, Franklin shuts down his abilities to everyone, including himself. On eventual days when he remembers what he’s capable of, he monitors for menaces and, if nothing requires his help, he shuts them down again.

The Future Slate of the MCU Is the Ideal Place for Franklin Richards

Franklin Could be the Bridge With Mutants or Play into ‘Secret Wars’

The Fantastic Four: First Steps introducing Franklin is a game-changing concept that should cause ripples throughout future MCU productions. Should Marvel Studios decide to ignore the not-a-mutant retcon, Franklin could be set to join whatever new iteration of the X-Men the future may bring. On a smaller scale, he could start with a one-on-one team-up with the MCU’s first notorious mutant, Iman Vellani’s Ms. Marvel.

Franklin could also prove useful for the forthcoming phase-capper Avengers: Secret Wars. In the comic-book crossover, he was a vital part – along with his parents and his sister Valeria – in restoring the multiverse after the catastrophic incursion that plunged Battleworld into war. Given his almighty and all-powerful nature, the possibilities of storylines for Franklin in the MCU have the potential to reinvigorate the franchise.

With so much young blood now in the MCU, Franklin should fit the ranks of any team. Whether it’s through the Young Avengers, an addition to the Fantastic Four, or even as part of the X-Men, his ties to basically every character in the Marvel universe should be reflected in the MCU. The key detail will be whether Kevin Feige’s plan contemplates fast-tracking his growth, or if he’ll be saved for a role post-Multiverse Saga. Whatever the case may be, if Franklin is developed accordingly, he should leave a lasting mark on the MCU.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps

Release Date: July 25, 2025
Director: Matt Shakman
Writers: Jeff Kaplan, Josh Friedman, Ian Springer, Eric Pearson, Jack Kirby, Stan Lee
Producers: Jamie Christopher, Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Tim Lewis
Franchise(s): Marvel Cinematic Universe