Marvel Studios ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ didn’t just bring Marvel’s First Family into the MCU; it may have quietly introduced the single most powerful being in the franchise’s history. Amidst cosmic storms, multiversal chaos, and Galactus’ shadow looming large, a newborn entered the cinematic universe who might one day rival gods, sorcerers, and celestial beings alike: Franklin Richards.
However, what makes Franklin so special, and how does his presence redefine the upper limits of power in the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Let’s break down why this baby might be the MCU’s ultimate game-changer.
Franklin’s Powers In The MCU Are The Embodiment Of Cosmic Force
For longtime Marvel fans, that name carries near-mythic weight. In the comics, Franklin isn’t just strong; he’s a reality-warping, universe-creating, god-tier powerhouse capable of reshaping existence itself. So, his introduction in ‘First Steps’ was monumental. Franklin Richards is the son of Reed Richards and Sue Storm, which already gives him a genetic advantage. However, ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ hinted that his powers go far beyond anything his parents could comprehend.
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In the movie’s emotional climax, Sue Storm exhausts herself battling Galactus, collapsing in Reed’s arms. As Reed mourns, a faint glow begins to emanate from their newborn son. Moments later, Sue awakens with her eyes illuminated with radiant violet energy. It’s an unmistakable sign that Franklin resurrected her using cosmic power. That single moment says everything. A child not even old enough to speak has already manipulated life, death, and cosmic energy.
The film’s script makes clear that Galactus himself recognizes Franklin’s potential. He calls the infant “the one who will inherit the Power Cosmic,” suggesting that Franklin may not only wield Galactus’ abilities but surpass him. If that’s true, the implications are staggering. Galactus consumes worlds to survive; Franklin could create them. The idea that Galactus sees Franklin as his successor turns the cosmic hierarchy on its head. Galactus has stood as an unchallengeable constant of the universe.
However, now, the mantle may pass to a child whose potential dwarfs even the Celestials. And Marvel doesn’t stop there. The ‘First Steps’ post-credits scene shows Doctor Doom visiting the Fantastic Four’s penthouse, gazing upon the child with uncharacteristic awe. Removing his mask, he whispers, “The future belongs to him.” That moment cements Franklin as the MCU’s new cosmic focal point.
Even The Most Powerful MCU Characters Don’t Come Close To Franklin
Before Franklin’s debut, the MCU’s power scale was relatively stable. Thor was once considered the mightiest Avenger, wielding the full power of a god. Then came sorcery and chaos magic. Doctor Strange and Wanda Maximoff shifted the balance, showing us that knowledge and emotion could be just as deadly as brute force. Wanda nearly destroyed Thanos single-handedly, while Strange tamed dark dimensions with spells that bent time and reality.
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Beyond them stood cosmic entities like Captain Marvel, Loki (now the guardian of the multiverse timeline), and the Celestials. Loki’s ascension at the end of ‘Loki’ Season 2 placed him among the most powerful figures in existence, capable of shaping timelines and preventing universal collapse. However, even these titans pale next to what Franklin Richards could become. In the comics, Franklin has created entire universes and even resurrected Celestials.
If the MCU version follows a similar trajectory, he won’t just be another powerhouse; he’ll be the power. He won’t need a weapon, a spell, or a stone. His will alone could reshape existence. That makes him a potential wildcard in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’. With the multiverse fracturing and gods like Doom and Kang vying for control, Franklin could easily become the MCU’s version of a living Infinity Gauntlet. He is a being whose mere presence changes the stakes of every battle.
