Summary
Marvel Studios’The Fantastic Fourhas been in the works for years, and it has officially entered production for a 2025 release. Along with entering production, the film has also secured a new subtitle. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige unveiled the film’s new title,The Fantastic Four: First Steps, during the film’s Hall H presentation at San Diego Comic-Con earlier this month. While there was no explantation given regarding the new title, there is one pretty big implication that could be behind it.
DirectorMatt Shakman, who previously directedWandaVisionfor Marvel Studios, has been very open regardingThe Fantastic Four: First Steps. In an interview withIGNfollowing the studio’s Hall H presentation, Shakman teased what First Steps could mean for the movie. He noted the moon landing and Neil Armstrong as some inspirations. However, he did explain that there are further reasons behind the title that he currently can’t comment on. Could one of those reasons be the inclusion of Franklin Richards?
Who is Franklin Reed and Why is He Important?
In the comics,Franklin Reedis the son of Reed Richards and Sue Storm, two members of the Fantastic Four. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, Franklin Richards made his first appearance in 1968’sFantastic Four Annual#6, although he wasn’t formally named until his appearance in the 1970s inFantastic Four#94. Leading up to his birth, Franklin caused serious concerns for his mother, resulting in his father journeying to the Anti-Matter Dimension with his teammates in order to try and find a way to save both Sue and their unborn child. Following a traumatic birth, Reed and Sue opted to name the baby after Sue’s father, Franklin, and Reed’s best friend and teammate, Ben Grimm. Interestingly enough, Franklin Richards actually has a tie to another Marvel Cinematic Universe character, Agatha Harkness, who was first introduced inWandaVisionand will next appear inAgatha All Along. The wicked witch served as his nanny for a period of time. Like his parents, Franklin was gifted with incredible powers thanks to cosmic radiation, giving him the ability to warp reality, leading to him being one of the most powerful beings in the universe early on.
Along with being able to warp reality, Franklin’s impressive powers include telepathic powers, telekinetic powers, and the ability to rearrange the molecular structure of matter and energy. His powers are so vast and impressive that the young hero has been likened to the Celestials, who we have already met on the big screen thanks toThe Eternals. The introduction of Franklin could introduce so much to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, especially given Franklin is technically considered a mutant within the comics.
What Else Could First Steps be Teasing?
Marvel Studios' iteration ofThe Fantastic Fouris set to be full of firsts for Marvel’s first family. Along with the movietaking place in the 60s, the film isn’t expected to be yet another origin story. The film is being treated differently than those that came before it. Given what Shakman had to say, it seems likely the movie is going to tackle some of the many accomplishments NASAtackled in the 60s, including the Surveyor 1 spacecraft making a soft landing on the moon and Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin Jr. being the first to walk on the moon. Those events are likely to be teased during the film, alongside the proper introduction of Marvel’s first family on the big screen. With the studio and Shakman promising the movie won’t serve as an origin movie, it seems likely the foursome will already be a family of sorts, with Reed and Sue already being together. If this is, indeed, how Marvel decides to introduce the cast of characters, the inclusion of Franklin seems highly likely.Galactus is confirmed to be the big badof the movie, and the addition of Franklin will give them something more to first for. More importantly, in another timeline, Franklin becomes Galactus, This came after Reed killed Galactus, and transformed the devourer of worlds into a star. After being convinced that the world needed another Galactus to take his place, Franklin agreed to undergo the mutation process to become the new Galactus.
We know that the Fantastic Four will appear in the next twoAvengersfilms, which will seeRobert Downey Jr. act as Victor Von Doom. However, little is unknown about their future appearances beyond that. Introducing Franklin now, in the first film, makes complete sense. Especially given how important he can become in future installments. Production onFirst Stepsis currently underway in London under the working title “Blue Moon.” Reports have suggested production will continue filming through December. It is set to star Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrach.
The Fantastic Four: First Stepsis set to hit theaters on July 25th, 2025.
