A Forgotten Richards Family Member Could Hold the Key to the Fantastic Four’s MCU Debut

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The Marvel Cinematic Universe rumor mill never stops turning and Fantastic Four: First Steps is no exception. There’s been no shortage of teases for Marvel’s first family’s MCU to stoke scuttlebutt, none more titillating than its first teaser trailer. Every frame could be scrutinized for an Easter egg—and they have been. Galactus, H.E.R.B.I.E., and a promising design for The Thing were highlights. Yet, an unlikely subject wound up as the trailer’s most noteworthy: the fleeting appearance of a bearded John Malkovich, enigmatic as ever.

Fantastic Four: First Steps cast is pretty public, but Malkovich is one of few actors whose role is still under wraps. Red Ghost or Mole Man are the most popular theories for Malkovich’s character, but a character who can help heighten the MCU movie’s inevitable interdimensional hijinks (it’s set in a separate universe, after all) has yet to get its spotlight: Nathaniel Richards, Reed’s time-traveling absentee father. Bringing him into the story could connect MCU storylines, introduce new time-travel tech to the franchise, and add an emotional anchor to the new Reed Richards—and John Malkovich could play him expertly.

John Malkovich Could Play Nathaniel Richards in the MCU

Not Kang the Conquerer, But a Distant Ancestor

First things first: Nathaniel Richards is not Kang the Conqueror. Reed Richards’ father, though sharing a name, family tree, and fancy for time travel with Kang, comes centuries earlier in the canon. The elder Richards is a fictional time-traveling scientist created by John Byrne who first appeared in The Fantastic Four #272 (November 1984).

Unlike his dubious descendant, Nathaniel is more of a swashbuckling scientist than a conqueror—and he loves his son. Despite his irregular presence in Reed’s life through childhood and adulthood, his actions consistently aim to protect his son and the broader multiverse from cosmic-level threats.

“The explosion threw us through time, and we eventually landed some six hundred thousand years in the future. In this time, the earth is supervised by a being called Immortus…As we prepared to fight for our lives, the cruel and cunning nature of Immortus became apparent.”

Nathaniel Richards in Fantastic Four #581

He might not be Kang, but he could help to conveniently clean up the mess Kang left. After Loki Season 2 and the apparent end of Jonathan Majors’ tenure, Malkovich’s Nathaniel could bridge the gap between Kang’s storyline and whatever’s next for his son and extended family.

His comic history includes encounters with the Kang variant, Immortus, inventing time travel devices, and building interdimensional bridges. It’s the exact kind of multiversal expertise the Fantastic Four may need before an incursion sends them into the MCU—and convenient fodder for an off-camera write-off of the Council of Kangs. His brushes with his own variants and Kangs could prepare his son for similar scenarios, whether with the Council of Reeds or other time-altering threats.

Nathaniel Richards Could Transport the Fantastic Four to the MCU

The Bridge Technology May Connect First Steps to the Avengers Crossover

Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards is set to step into the MCU limelight in the Fantastic Four reboot.The film will likely be a primer for being front and center as the leading hero in the franchise’s culminating multiversal films, Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars.

All these trappings perfectly set the table for Nathaniel Richards to play a significant, albeit fleeting, role in Reed’s life. Even in a one-scene cameo, a Reed and Nathaniel father-son reunion could cover a lot of ground in connecting First Steps to the broader MCU mythos. His innovations—time-travel equipment and interdimensional portals—could become crucial tech for Phases 5 and 6.

Nathaniel could even connect Reed to the main timeline through Howard Stark. In the Marvel Comics canon, Reed’s father shares history and adventures with Tony’s, during their time as fellow agents in the Brotherhood of the Shield. The lore offers the potential for an elegant way to connect Reed’s timeline to the main MCU continuities.

Comic precedent suggests another potential motivation: to help Reed during crises to protect Franklin Richards, rumored to appear in First Steps. What better aid for Reed in figuring out how to fight for his multiverse-making mutant son than his time-traveling dad? Hickman even introduced an adult Franklin, trained by his grandfather, who wielded his powers to best Galactus. If First Steps introduces Franklin in tandem with Galactus, Nathaniel could also appear to ensure his grandson is ready.

Reed Richards’ Father Could Strengthen Fantastic Four’s Family-First Philosophy

Pedro Pascal’s Mr. Fantastic Might Have Daddy Issues

“Seven o’clock on the dot, no matter what.” If the dinner time alluded to in the Fantastic Four: First Steps trailer is to be believed, then the family is of the utmost importance to the Richards clan, and the movie.

The cast and crew haven’t hesitated to emphasize how crucial the Fantastic Four’s deep-seated dynamics are to distinguishing this film from its predecessors. Assuming that’s the reboot’s real goal, a Nathanial Richards subplot is a no-brainer.

It’s a terrible thing for someone not to reach their full potential…I know. As I’ve grown older, I’ve realized that I do not have the character to be both good and great at the same time. But you do, Reed…and as such, all of my hopes and desires rest in you becoming what I am not. When you grow up, I expect more. Son…I expect better. I want you to be a better friend than I was. Be a better husband. Be a better father…Reed…be a better man.

Nathaniel Richards’ closing line in “Solve Everything” arc

Nathaniel is particularly pivotal in the legendary Jonathan Hickman’s run on Fantastic Four, which could be the roadmap for First Steps. The arc sees Reed encounter the Council of Reed, subsequently yanked into a multiverse of variants and cosmic threats.

The cabal challenges Reed’s loyalty to his family. Reed ultimately abandons the Council, the story setting up his decision through intercut childhood memories with his father.In this context, Nathaniel would mend a former MCU backbone, reestablishing a familiar father-son approach by giving Reed Richards a complicated relationship like those that helped endear audiences to Tony Stark, Thor, and Peter Quill during the Infinity Saga.

Essential Nathaniel Richards Reading List

Where to Find Reed Richards’ Time-Traveling Father in Marvel Comics

Beyond First Steps speculation, readers looking to understand Nathaniel Richards might wonder where to start. Marvel history contains less material than one might think for a character around for decades.

Fantastic Four #272-273 (John Byrne, 1984) – The first appearance that establishes Nathaniel’s life on an alternate Earth and the Cassandra/Warlord twist.

Fantastic Four #581-582 (Hickman, 2010) – Explores Nathaniel’s time-traveling abilities and the pivotal Immortus confrontation with his variants.

S.H.I.E.L.D. #1-6 and S.H.I.E.L.D.: Infinity (Hickman, 2010-2012) – Details his early work with Howard Stark and how he gained his temporal abilities.

Fantastic Four #570-572​​​​​ (Hickman, 2009-2010) – “Solve Everything” features flashbacks that show Nathaniel’s profound influence on Reed’s character.

FF #1-23 (Hickman, 2011-2012) – Showcases his return to help establish the Future Foundation and his relationship with Franklin.

Thankfully, the limited arcs include several key comic runs with Reed’s time-traveling father, perfect for anyone seeking context before his potential MCU debut. Jonathan Hickman’s work dominates these recommendations for good reason—no writer has done more to elevate Nathaniel Richards.

Nathaniel Richards Would Distinguish First Steps From Other Fantastic Four Films

A New Direction For MCU Debut

Fantastic Four: First Steps presents an opportunity to introduce not only Reed Richards but an entire family tree of characters that extend across time, space, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Multiverse Saga. A Nathaniel Richards subplot, in the hands of someone as talented as John Malkovich—whether a brief cameo or a steadfast character with more runtime than marketing would suggest— could finally deliver a Fantastic Four film Marvel fans have waited decades to see.

If First Steps truly aims to distinguish itself through family dynamics as its cast suggests, then Malkovich as Nathaniel Richards isn’t just clever fan service—he’d be an emotional and story lynchpin. If Malkovich, not Nathaniel, his absence wouldn’t make the benefits of his presence any less crucial and the emotional, familial heft would have to come from elsewhere.

“}]] This underrated Fantastic Four character could be the perfect role for John Malkovich in First Steps, which could have huge ramifications for the MCU.  Read More