An exciting theory forFantastic Four: First Stepssuggests that the upcomingMCUmovie will set up the best ending forAvengers: Secret Warsand a bold new era following the Multiverse Saga. Debuting for the first time in the MCU, The Fantastic Four will initially be introduced in an alternate retro-futuristic ’60s timeline. However, it doesn’t seem like there will be four members of Marvel’s First Family for long.
InFantastic Four: First Steps, Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm will already be operating as a team of heroes, protectors of their reality and contending with the coming of the cosmicWorld Devourer known as Galactus. However, new reveals have confirmed that The Fantastic Four will fight alongside heroes from the main MCU timeline in 2026’sAvengers: Doomsdayand presumably inAvengers: Secret Wars, closing out the Multiverse Saga.However, another key reveal supports the theory thatFantastic Four: First Stepswill kickstart the perfect means to set up the MCU’s future afterSecret Wars.
The MCU’s Sue Storm Will Be Pregnant In Fantastic Four: First Steps
Most Likely Giving Birth To Franklin Richards
It has long been theorized that theFirst Stepssubtitle wouldn’t just reference space exploration.Case in point, it’s recently been confirmed that Vanessa Kirby’s Sue Storm will indeed be pregnant in the new MCU movie. This is very exciting, but not only because the MCU will uniquely feature superheroes who are also expecting.
The potential prospects of whatSue Storm’s pregnancy inFantastic Fourcould mean for the entire MCU multiverse are massive when considering who Reed Richards and Sue Storm’s first child is in the original Marvel Comics. Born in the pages of 1968’sFantastic Four Annual #6, Franklin Richards debuted in the Marvel Universe, inheriting powers thanks to both of his parents' unique genes that had been charged with cosmic rays.To that end, it’s notable that Franklin is one of the Marvel Universe’s most powerful characters of all time.
Franklin Richards' Powers Could Be Very Important Following Avengers: Secret Wars Based On The Comics
The Power To Rewrite Entire Realities
Assuming the MCU’s Franklin has the same powers, he could become a major player inAvengers: Secret Wars. Even as a child, Franklin quickly developed the power to rewrite reality and create worlds at will. Keeping that in mind, it wouldn’t be surprising ifGalactus was drawn to The Fantastic Four’s world inFirst Stepsdue to Franklin’s power and imminent birth. After all, Franklin Richards could provide Galactus with an endless supply of worlds to consume.
More importantly, Franklin Richards was an incredibly important character in theaftermath of 2015’sSecret Warsevent in the comics. After the collapse of the multiverse, Doctor Doom saves and merges fragments to forge a new plane of existence known as Battleworld, one where he rules as God Emperor. Once he’s defeated, Franklin plays a crucial role in remaking the multiverse alongside his father and Molecule Man, creating new worlds and restoring the multiverse (though not exactly the same as it was before).As such, perhaps Franklin could play a similar role in the MCU following 2027sAvengers: Secret Wars.
Through Franklin, Marvel Can Remake The MCU However They Want
Endless Possibilities Post-Secret Wars, Regardless Of The MCU’s Past
A prime example of how the Marvel multiverse was remade anew following the comics’Secret Wars, there was no more Ultimate Universe. However, Miles Morales' family and life were merged into the main 616 timeline, making it far easier for Peter Parker to become a key mentor in the younger Spider-Man’s life.In a similar vein, Franklin could play a huge part in effectively creating a new kind of MCU, giving Marvel Studios the perfect means to soft reboot the entire franchise in-universe however they wish.
Franklin’s power to reshape reality and potentially create a new MCU could certainly helpMarvel Studios debut native MCU versions of the X-Menone day who aren’t from the old Fox universe. Realities can be merged, dead characters can be brought back, and recasts could happen with new actors.Essentially, the sky’s the limit for how Marvel could use Franklin Richards to canonically rewrite the MCU, giving them all kinds of freedom to continue the franchise well into the future once the Multivese Saga concludes (without starting from scratch).
Fantastic Four: First Stepsreleases in theaters July 25th, 2025 from Marvel Studios.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Cast
The Fantastic 4: First Steps features Marvel’s First Family navigating their dual roles as superheroes and family members in a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world. They defend Earth from a formidable space god, Galactus, and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer, testing their familial bonds and heroic resolve.
Avengers: Secret Wars
Avengers: Secret Wars is an anticipated installment in Phase 6 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, serving as the finale of The Multiverse Saga. Scheduled for release in December 2027, the film’s plot remains under wraps, fueling curiosity about its role in the expansive Marvel narrative.
