Marvel is Keeping a Major Fantastic Four Character Under Wraps (& When They Are Revealed, It Will Drastically Affect the Future of the Franchise)

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The Fantastic Four: First Steps is getting tantalizingly close to its highly anticipated release date of July 25, marking the beginning of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Phase 6 (and the superhero team’s long-awaited debut in the franchise). With only one teaser trailer to work with, fans still know very few details about the upcoming film. However, with the marketing plan for Thunderbolts* nearly complete, audiences can expect Fantastic Four to take its place in the spotlight as Marvel dedicates its attention to promoting the upcoming film.

As part of the film’s early marketing campaign, Entertainment Weekly recently sat down with director Matt Shakman and stars Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach to discuss what fans can expect from The Fantastic Four: First Steps. The group revealed several interesting details about the upcoming MCU movie while maintaining the signature Marvel secrecy that permeates each project in the franchise. One intriguing exchange between interviewer Christian Holub and Kirby seemingly confirms a major fan theory about a major comics character appearing in First Steps while setting up a massive future for the franchise–and the larger MCU.

Sue Storm Is Pregnant In The Fantastic Four–But With Which Child?

Reed Richards and Sue Storm Have Two Children in the Comics

For months, Marvel fans have theorized that The Fantastic Four: First Steps will feature a pregnant Sue Storm. In the comics, the Invisible Woman is not only a superhero; she is also a mother. This becomes a central part of her storyline as she learns to balance her duties as a parent and as a member of the Fantastic Four. The title First Steps alone seemingly refers to an infant taking their first steps. The first teaser trailer for First Steps encouraged these rumors, with little details pointing to the idea that Sue may have a child during the events of the film. Now, Vanessa Kirby has officially confirmed these rumors, but not with as much detail as fans may have liked. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Kirby revealed:

Kirby’s comments speak to what could be an incredibly interesting storyline for her character in the MCU but also leave out a few key details that fans were looking for. As the article notes, the actress does not address the identity of Sue and Reed’s baby. In the comics, Mister Fantastic and the Invisible Woman have two children: Franklin and Valeria Richards. Franklin, named after Sue Storm’s father, is an Omega-level mutant whose abilities make him one of the strongest beings in the Marvel Universe. Valeria, named after Doctor Doom’s long-lost love, is extremely intelligent, even surpassing the genius of her father. By refusing to name either Franklin or Valeria, Marvel clearly wants fans to theorize concerning which of the Richards children will appear in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Regardless of which one may appear, he or she will change the Marvel Cinematic Universe forever.

The Richards Baby Will Change the MCU Forever

Franklin and Valeria Richards Will Be Focal Points of the MCU

Regardless of the identity of the Richards baby, the MCU is about to change forever. Most fans believe that the baby in question will be revealed to be Franklin. He is Reed and Sue’s firstborn in the comics, making him the most likely choice to be introduced in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. After stringing readers along with numerous hints for several years, Marvel Comics finally revealed that Franklin is a mutant. Not only that, but he is one of the most powerful mutants to have ever lived, boasting an Omega-level status that puts him on the same level as (and even above) the likes of Professor X, Magneto, and other prominent X-Men. Franklin has myriad mutant abilities that include reality warping, telepathy, energy manipulation, teleportation, immortality, and much more. Introducing Franklin to the MCU would set him up to eventually become one of the most powerful superheroes in the franchise. Moreover, Franklin’s powers become of interest to the world-devouring being known as Galactus, who is also slated to make his MCU debut in First Steps. Franklin’s birth could be what finally brings Galactus to Earth during the events of the upcoming film. Even if the Fantastic Four manage to stave off Galactus’s attack in First Steps, Franklin Richards’ mere existence could be enough to bring the Devourer of Worlds back in future installments of the MCU. This could set Galactus up as a major villain moving forward, perhaps even serving as the main antagonist of one of Marvel’s next Sagas, following in the footsteps of Thanos in the Infinity Saga and Doctor Doom in the Multiverse Saga.

Conversely, should the MCU choose to introduce Valeria rather than Franklin, the franchise would still see a massive shift. Valeria also boasts several incredible superpowers, including her mother’s force field generation and invisibility, as well as super strength, invulnerability, telepathy, and more. However, all of these abilities are trumped by her amazing intellect, which may be even greater than her father’s. This would make Valeria Richards one of the smartest characters in the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. As she grows, she could become a valuable asset to the other superheroes of the MCU, using her high intellect to solve problems well beyond the ability of other characters in the franchise. Just as Shuri used her genius to revolutionize Wakanda, Valeria could bring the MCU into a new age of advanced technology and efficient living, creating a near-utopian alternate reality to our own. Interestingly, Valeria also has a surprising connection to the Fantastic Four’s archenemy, Doctor Doom. In the comics, Valeria is revealed to actually be the child of an alternate-reality Sue Storm and Doctor Doom. Given that Doctor Doom is set to play a key role in Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars, the MCU may opt to introduce Valeria Richards (or, more accurately, Valeria von Doom) as a wrinkle in the rivalry between the villain and the Fantastic Four.

Which of the Richards Children Will Appear in The Fantastic Four: First Steps?

The MCU Is Keeping the Richards Baby’s Identity a Secret For Now

Marvel fans will most likely have to wait until The Fantastic Four: First Stepsis in theaters to find out the identity of the Richards baby. Given that this seems to be Sue and Reed’s first child and Galactus’s inclusion in the story, the most likely candidate is Franklin Richards. However, Valeria shouldn’t be ruled out just yet. Doctor Doom’s primacy in the Multiverse Saga could lead to her introduction shortly, giving the MCU a chance to explore her complicated origins in the comics. Moreover, Marvel has never confirmed that the child born in First Steps will be Reed and Sue’s first child. It could be that a young Franklin Richards is already running around the Baxter Building, just waiting to meet his new baby sister. Alternatively, the MCU could surprise everyone by revealing that Sue is carrying twins, allowing for both Franklin and Valeria to be introduced simultaneously (though this would, of course, rule Doctor Doom out as Valeria’s father).

For now, it seems that The Fantastic Four: First Steps will focus primarily on Sue Storm as she learns to balance her duties to her family and her team. As Kirby notes, this will be the first time that a Marvel movie has explored such a concept, giving fans plenty of reason to be excited about Sue’s storyline in the upcoming film. Regardless of whether she has a girl or a boy, Sue’s story as she copes with her new position as a mother will undoubtedly be one of the most intriguing character arcs in Phase 6 of the MCU.

“}]] Marvel Studios is keeping one Fantastic Four: First Steps character top-secret, hinting that they could change the Marvel Cinematic Universe forever.  Read More