Daily News for Marvel Movie

Summary

• The Fantastic Four: First Steps will be set in an alternate universe, and a new MCU theory explains why.
• Theories suggest Franklin Richards may debut in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and he may have already put his universe-creating abilities to the test.
• Franklin Richards' debut and power testing in The Fantastic Four: First Steps would perfectly set the stage for the MCU's Avengers: Secret Wars.

A new theory perfectly explains the alternate universe setting of The Fantastic Four: First Steps by introducing a powerful new character to the MCU. Shortly after the cast of The Fantastic Four: First Steps was confirmed on Valentine's Day, theories began to emerge suggesting that the movie could be set in a retro-futuristic, 1960s-themed alternate reality of the MCU. This has since been confirmed by Marvel Studios and director Matt Shakman, but this has spurred more speculation about the story details of the Fantastic Four's much anticipated MCU debut.
Popular theories have suggested that the Fantastic Four originated in Earth-616 and became trapped in another universe after a failed experiment, or come from across the multiverse and will move to the MCU's main continuity upon Galactus' destruction of their world. However, a new theory posed by Reddit user ArmchairOfHeresy posits that a rumored new character in The Fantastic Four: First Steps may have created the movie's alternate universe himself. This is a very exciting prospect that could set up several future MCU projects.
Related Kevin Feige Tackles Fantastic Four Timeline & Multiverse Theories As He Confirms Filming Date: "Those Are Smart Observations" After a series of The Fantastic Four rumors, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige has confirmed some major details about the MCU movie.
1 Franklin Richards Created The Fantastic Four’s Alternate Universe: MCU Theory Explained Franklin Richards Is Able To Create Pocket Universes In Marvel Comics Close ArmchairOfHeresy's theory suggests that Franklin Richards, Reed Richards and Sue Storm's son who hasn't yet been confirmed for The Fantastic Four: First Steps, may have created the alternate universe setting of the upcoming movie. Franklin Richards made his Marvel Comics debut in 1968's Fantastic Four Annual #6, and was first introduced as a mutant with remarkable reality warping and energy manipulation abilities. These powers allowed him to create pocket universes, which he put to use on several occasions, so he may have done the same in the MCU.
In 2020's Dawn of X storyline, Franklin Richards was revealed to in fact not be a mutant. He had instead been subconsciously altering his own molecular structure using his powers, but after he was depowered during a fight with the alien Cormorant, he was no longer an Omega-level mutant. His powers were later restored, however.
Marvel Studios unveiled a new title for The Fantastic Four during this year's SDCC presentation, adding the First Steps subtitle to the official logo. There has been some speculation about what First Steps could mean. It may refer to the Space Race, which the movie is expected to focus on somewhat, or, indeed, the Fantastic Four's own first steps into the MCU, in the same manner as Spider-Man's Homecoming. However, this could also refer to Franklin Richards' "first steps" in realizing his powers, with him inadvertently trapping his family in one of his pocket universes while testing his abilities.
Franklin Richards Is Already Speculated To Appear In The Fantastic Four: First Steps Franklin Richards Hasn't Yet Been Confirmed For The Fantastic Four: First Steps While Franklin Richards hasn't been confirmed to be appearing in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, his involvement has been heavily rumored. Pedro Pascal's Reed Richards and Vanessa Kirby's Sue Storm have been revealed to already be married in the movie, and the casting of a slightly older actor, and perhaps contemporary TV's most popular father-figure, in the role of Mister Fantastic has led some to speculate that Reed and Sue may already have children. This may have been supported by a recent set video from The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
This video shows Vanessa Kirby seemingly cradling a baby in her arms on the set of The Fantastic Four: First Steps. The quality of the footage isn't great, but this has all but confirmed the inclusion of either Franklin Richards or the pair's daughter, Valeria. Should Franklin actually appear in the Phase 6 movie, ArmchairOfHeresy's theory could easily come to fruition, as the powerful young character would have little control over his reality-altering abilities. It makes sense that he may have accidentally created an alternate world.
MCU's Fantastic Four Member
Actor
Reed Richards' Mister Fantastic
Pedro Pascal
Sue Storm's Invisible Woman
Vanessa Kirby
Johnny Storm's Human Torch
Joseph Quinn
Ben Grimm's Thing
Ebon Moss-Bachrach
Franklin Richards Theory Sets Up Avengers: Secret Wars Perfectly Avengers: Secret Wars Is Scheduled To Release On May 7, 2027 Franklin Richards' debut in The Fantastic Four: First Steps would not only provide the perfect opportunity to explain the movie's alternate universe setting, but could also set the stage for some of the MCU's other biggest upcoming storylines. Most notably, Franklin Richards has a pivotal role in Marvel Comics' Secret Wars event from 2015. Franklin Richards appeared alongside his mother, sister and God Emperor Doom in Secret Wars' Battleworld, but truly put his powers to the test after Doctor Doom was defeated.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps could mark a test of his incredible abilities.
After everybody was returned to the new Marvel Universe by an Infinity Gauntlet-wielding Black Panther, Franklin Richards used his reality-warping and universe-creating abilities to help restore the multiverse to its former glory. He created entirely new realities, establishing a new status quo for Marvel Comics, and the same could be done in the MCU following 2027's Avengers: Secret Wars. The Fantastic Four: First Steps could mark a test of his incredible abilities, before Secret Wars puts them to use in soft-rebooting the MCU.
The Fantastic Four (2025) Not Yet Rated ActionAdventure Sci-FiSuperhero Marvel's Fantastic Four is the first MCU movie to feature Marvel's First Family in the same live-action universe as the Avengers. It introduces the Marvel Cinematic Universe's version of Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Ben Grimm, and Johnny Storm, and precedes Phase 6's Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars.
Director Matt Shakman Release Date July 25, 2025 Studio(s) Marvel Studios Cast Pedro Pascal , Vanessa Kirby , Ebon Moss-Bachrach , Joseph Quinn , Ralph Ineson , Paul Walter Hauser , Natasha Lyonne , John Malkovich , Julia Garner Upcoming MCU Movies Captain America: Brave New World
Release Date February 14, 2025 Thunderbolts*
Release Date May 2, 2025 The Fantastic Four (2025)
Release Date July 25, 2025 Blade (2025)
Release Date November 7, 2025 Avengers: Doomsday
Release Date May 1, 2026 Avengers: Secret Wars
Release Date May 7, 2027