Fantastic Four: Franklin Richards and Doctor Doom – The MCU’s Next Power Shift
With the release of Fantastic Four: First Steps, Marvel Studios has officially opened the door to some of the most powerful and complex characters in comic history — and at the heart of this cosmic expansion is the quiet introduction of a young boy who may reshape the multiverse: Franklin Richards.
Yes, that Franklin Richards — the son of Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic) and Sue Storm (Invisible Woman) — has finally made his way to the MCU, and with him comes galaxy-sized potential and ominous foreshadowing. Alongside Franklin’s low-key but critical debut, we’re also given our first real look at Doctor Doom, Marvel’s greatest villain, and his shadowy interest in the Richards family legacy.
Let’s break down what this means for the future of the MCU — and how it may all explode in Avengers: Doomsday.
Who is Franklin Richards?
In the comics, Franklin Richards is one of the most powerful mutants in existence — though calling him a “mutant” almost undersells it. As the son of two of the most intelligent and genetically gifted characters in the Marvel Universe, Franklin was born with reality-warping powers. At full potential, he can:
- Reshape entire universes
- Create new realities
- Manipulate time and space
- Stand toe-to-toe with cosmic entities like Galactus and Celestials
In Fantastic Four: First Steps, Franklin is introduced not as a god-like figure, but as a curious, unusually perceptive child. However, it’s clear from subtle scenes — like his reactions to energy surges and his connection to space phenomena — that something much bigger is going on beneath the surface.
Why Galactus Wants Franklin & Silver Surfer decides to protect him
Galactus, the Devourer of Worlds, is teased in the final act of First Steps. Though he doesn’t make a full appearance, his interest in Franklin is made clear through cryptic warnings and cosmic visions Reed experiences. In the comics, Galactus has a fascinating relationship with Franklin: he once refers to the child as “my heir,” acknowledging that Franklin may one day rise above even him in the cosmic hierarchy.
In some timelines, Franklin becomes Galactus’s successor, guiding balance across the universe rather than devouring it. That potential is likely to be central to Marvel’s multiverse arc — and perhaps even a key element in defeating or aligning with Galactus in future films.
Doctor Doom’s Obsession – post credit
Victor Von Doom — aka Doctor Doom — is introduced in the shadows in First Steps. Brilliant, egomaniacal, and ruthlessly strategic, Doom isn’t just interested in power; he’s fascinated by control over reality.
In the comics, Doom has long feared Franklin’s unchecked power. In Fantastic Four: The End and Future Foundation, Doom tries to manipulate or eliminate Franklin multiple times, seeing him as both a threat and an opportunity. In Secret Wars (2015), Doom actually steals reality-warping powers to become a god himself, battling Franklin’s creations in a multiversal war.
This conflict is already simmering in the MCU — Doom’s fascination with the Richards family legacy, and with Franklin specifically, hints at a collision course that could explode in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday.
Leading Into Avengers: Doomsday
With Avengers: Doomsday set to be one of the climactic entries of Marvel’s Phase 6, the presence of both Franklin Richards and Doctor Doom will likely play a central role. Theories already suggest:
Doom’s manipulation of timelines and realities
Franklin being a target or reluctant key to saving/destroying the multiverse
Galactus arriving as a third, uncontrollable force in the battle for reality
The stakes are higher than ever — not just superhero vs. villain, but reality vs. total collapse.
Final Thoughts on Fantastic Four’s Franklin Richards and Doctor Doom
The introduction of Franklin Richards and Doctor Doom into the MCU marks a pivotal shift — from grounded superhero storytelling to multiversal, cosmic-level conflicts. Marvel has planted seeds for some of its most ambitious and emotionally complex arcs yet, and with Avengers: Doomsday on the horizon, fans should brace for a battle that could reshape everything.
Whether Franklin is the savior, the destroyer, or the bridge between realities remains to be seen. But one thing’s for sure: the Fantastic Four have never been more important.
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