Fantastic Four: First Steps introduces game-changing elements to the MCU, from Franklin Richards’ reality-warping powers to Doctor Doom’s mysterious appearance, setting up massive implications for Secret Wars and the multiverse.
The release of Fantastic Four: First Steps has left superhero fans buzzing with excitement and burning questions. This comprehensive analysis dives deep into the film’s most intriguing plot points, character developments, and cosmic-level implications that will reshape the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Why Did Franklin Richards Hide His Powers From Reed?
Franklin Richards concealed his abilities because Galactus revealed that “he hides his powers from you,” indicating Franklin was actively rewriting his own DNA while in Sue’s womb to prevent his father from discovering his cosmic-level abilities.
The film establishes that Franklin possesses power cosmic – the same fundamental force that empowers Galactus himself. This revelation carries staggering implications for the young Richards child and explains his desperate need for secrecy.
Franklin’s DNA Manipulation Strategy
Franklin’s approach to hiding his powers demonstrates sophistication beyond his apparent age. While developing in Sue’s womb, he actively altered his genetic structure to mask his true potential from Reed Richards. However, Galactus – a being who predates universe creation – could still sense these buried abilities.
The cosmic entity’s ability to detect Franklin’s hidden powers makes perfect sense when you consider that Franklin will eventually become more powerful than Galactus himself. The film provides concrete evidence of this potential when Franklin resurrects his deceased mother at the movie’s conclusion.
The Resurrection Feat and Its Cosmic Significance
Franklin’s ability to bring back the dead places him in extremely rare company within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Previously, only beings of immense cosmic power have demonstrated this capability:
- Eternity – the embodiment of the Marvel Universe who revived Gorr’s daughter Love in Thor: Love and Thunder
- Mephisto – an ancient entity older than Galactus who recently brought back Nettie
Franklin’s successful resurrection of his mother suggests he already possesses power levels comparable to these cosmic entities, despite being just a child.
The Earth X Comic Connection
The film appears to be adapting elements from the Earth X comic storyline, where Franklin eventually becomes Galactus. This explains why Galactus specifically mentioned that Franklin possesses power cosmic and will suffer from the same curse – the endless hunger that drives Galactus to consume planets.
Practical Reasoning Behind the Secrecy:
Franklin’s decision to suppress his abilities stems from a child’s natural desire for normalcy. As a young person, his family represents his entire world. Revealing his cosmic powers too early would:
- Prevent him from living a normal childhood
- Make him a target for those seeking to weaponize his abilities
- Subject him to unwanted experimentation and study
- Attract dangerous cosmic attention to Earth
Vision’s Philosophy and Cosmic Consequences
The film subtly references Vision’s dialogue from Civil War: “Our very strength invites challenge. Challenge incites conflict. And conflict breeds catastrophe”. Franklin’s immense power level means no earthly force can contain or control him, making cosmic threats inevitable.
The Celestials represent the primary danger Franklin’s existence will eventually attract. In the comics, when the Celestials discovered Franklin’s beyond-omega-level abilities, they immediately attacked – showing no mercy despite his young age.
The presence of a Celestial seed within Earth (as established in Eternals) creates additional complications. When this seed eventually emerges, Franklin could easily stop it with minimal effort, drawing the attention of all Celestials and triggering an interstellar war.
Why Did Doctor Doom Seek Out Franklin Richards?
Direct Answer: Doctor Doom’s appearance suggests he has acquired technology or artifacts from Galactus’s ship, potentially giving him the means to either absorb Franklin’s power cosmic or manipulate the young Richards into serving his multiverse-spanning plans.
The Mysterious Doctor Doom Identity
The film deliberately conceals Doom’s face, maintaining mystery around which version of the character we’re encountering. Evidence suggests this could be the Doctor Doom from Earth-838, given the multiple references to Latveria throughout the movie.
Supporting Evidence for Earth-838 Connection:
- Extensive Latveria references and teasers throughout the film
- Mad Thinker name-drop, who assists Doom in mapping the multiverse in “Time Runs Out” comics
- The seamless nature of Doom’s arrival without triggering security alerts
Sue Storm’s Reaction Reveals Familiarity
Significantly, when Sue Storm sees Doctor Doom approaching Franklin, she doesn’t create protective shields or forcibly remove him. This reaction strongly suggests the Fantastic Four already know Doom personally, likely through their work with various world leaders – including Latveria’s ruler.
Galactus Technology as Doom’s Trump Card
Doctor Doom’s timing isn’t coincidental. His appearance immediately after Galactus’s defeat suggests he has salvaged crucial technology from the cosmic entity’s abandoned ship. In the comics, powerful artifacts like the Ultimate Nullifier come from Galactus’s vessel – items capable of threatening even cosmic-level beings.
Potential Scenarios for Doom’s Strategy:
- Technology Absorption: Using Galactus tech to drain Franklin’s power cosmic
- Reality Manipulation: Leveraging Franklin’s abilities to create a patchwork universe (mirroring Secret Wars comics)
- Cosmic Enhancement: Having Franklin heal Doom’s facial scars while gaining his trust
Secret Wars Setup and God Emperor Doom
The film appears to be establishing the foundation for Marvel’s Secret Wars adaptation, where Doom becomes God Emperor by absorbing the Beyonders’ power and creating a new reality. In the MCU version, Franklin’s power cosmic could replace the Molecule Man’s role from the comics, making him essential to Doom’s ultimate plan.
How Is Galactus Older Than the Universe Itself?
Galactus originates from the previous multiverse and survived its destruction to become an essential component of the current reality, serving as a cosmic balance that maintains universal stability through planet consumption.
The Previous Multiverse Origin
Reed Richards’ analysis of Galactus’s ship matter confirms what comic fans have long known – Galactus predates the current universe. The film’s explanation perfectly matches the character’s comic book origin story.
When the previous multiverse faced destruction, Galactus survived the cosmic reset and became integrated into the new reality as a fundamental force of nature. His existence serves a crucial purpose: maintaining cosmic balance through his planet-consuming activities.
The Cosmic Curse and Universal Purpose
Galactus views his existence as a curse rather than a privilege. His endless hunger drives him to consume planets, but this process serves a greater cosmic function. The energy he gathers will eventually fuel the creation of the next universe when the current one ends.
The Cycle Explained:
- Previous multiverse dies, Galactus survives
- New multiverse forms with Galactus as essential component
- Galactus consumes planets to maintain cosmic balance
- Energy stored for next universal creation cycle
- Process repeats infinitely
Franklin as Galactus’s Potential Successor
The film establishes that Franklin possesses the same power cosmic as Galactus, making him a potential successor to bear this cosmic burden. This mirrors “History of the Marvel Universe” issue six, where Galactus removes his helmet at universe’s end and passes it to Franklin Richards.
Galactus’s approach to Franklin represents a desperate attempt to transfer his curse to someone else, finally allowing him to find peace through death.
What Changes Did Marvel Make to Silver Surfer’s Origin Story?
Marvel replaced Norrin Radd with Shalla-Bal as the Silver Surfer, transforming the story from a romantic sacrifice into a powerful mother-child dynamic that mirrors Sue Storm’s protective relationship with Franklin.
From Romance to Motherhood
The traditional Silver Surfer origin features Norrin Radd sacrificing himself to save his lover Shalla-Bal and their homeworld Zenn-La. Fantastic Four: First Steps reimagines this story by making Shalla-Bal the protagonist, showing her with a child she must protect.
Key Changes from Comics:
- Original: Norrin Radd becomes herald to save Shalla-Bal and Zenn-La
- Film Version: Shalla-Bal becomes herald to save her child and planet
- Narrative Focus: Shifts from romantic love to maternal protection
The Mother-Child Parallel Structure
This change creates powerful thematic resonance between Shalla-Bal and Sue Storm. Both mothers face impossible choices to protect their children:
- Shalla-Bal: Becomes Galactus’s herald to save her child from planetary consumption
- Sue Storm: Uses her powers to shield Franklin from cosmic threats
The film’s climax demonstrates this parallel when Sue literally throws Galactus away from her family, while Shalla-Bal finally rebels against her cosmic master.
Enhanced Emotional Stakes
By focusing on maternal bonds rather than romantic relationships, the film creates more universal emotional stakes. The drive to protect one’s child resonates across all cultures and adds deeper meaning to Shalla-Bal’s eventual rebellion against Galactus.
This mother-child dynamic also explains why Shalla-Bal finds the strength to push Galactus away during the final confrontation – a mother’s protection instinct proves stronger than cosmic servitude.
How Did Fantastic Four Escape the Black Hole Without FTL Drive?
The Fantastic Four utilized the black hole’s event horizon and centrifugal forces to achieve near-light speed velocity, allowing them to escape the gravitational pull and return to Earth after their faster-than-light drive was destroyed.
The Physics of Black Hole Escape
When the team’s FTL device was destroyed during their encounter with Silver Surfer, they found themselves trapped near a black hole’s event horizon. However, the film demonstrates a scientifically grounded escape method using the black hole’s own rotational forces.
The Escape Mechanism:
- Positioned themselves at the black hole’s event horizon
- Utilized centrifugal forces from the black hole’s rotation
- Achieved velocity just below light speed
- Used momentum to break free from gravitational pull
Silver Surfer’s Surprising Resilience
What proves more remarkable than the Fantastic Four’s escape is Silver Surfer’s performance during this sequence. Shalla-Bal not only fought the team effectively while near the black hole but also escaped the gravitational field with apparent ease.
This demonstration showcases the true extent of the Power Cosmic’s capabilities, suggesting that beings empowered by this force can operate normally even in the most extreme cosmic environments.
Scientific Accuracy in Superhero Context
The film deserves credit for attempting a physics-based solution to this seemingly impossible situation. While still requiring suspension of disbelief, the centrifugal force explanation provides a more grounded approach than simply having the characters miraculously appear back on Earth.
What These Revelations Mean for the MCU’s Future
The events of Fantastic Four: First Steps establish several crucial elements for upcoming MCU phases:
Secret Wars Foundation
Franklin Richards’ power cosmic abilities position him as a key player in the inevitable Secret Wars storyline. His reality-warping capabilities could replace the Molecule Man’s role from the comics, giving Doctor Doom the tools needed to become God Emperor.
Cosmic Threat Escalation
With beings like Franklin Richards and returning entities like Galactus, the MCU is clearly escalating to cosmic-level threats that will require unprecedented solutions. The traditional superhero team approach may prove insufficient against such powerful forces.
Multiverse Implications
Doctor Doom’s appearance and apparent multiverse knowledge suggest that upcoming films will heavily feature cross-dimensional travel and alternate reality encounters, building toward the multiverse-spanning conflict that Secret Wars promises to deliver.
