After years of missed opportunities and surface-level portrayals, ‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’ marks a significant leap forward for Marvel’s First Family and, most importantly, for Reed Richards. Past versions of the character emphasized Reed’s elastic powers and scientific genius.
Now, the MCU finally dives into the deep emotional cost of being the “Smartest Man Alive.” The result is a version of Mister Fantastic that feels more human, more tragic, and far more faithful to the source material than ever before.
‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Showcases How Reed Richards’ Genius Is Both A Gift And A Curse
The central conflict in ‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’ isn’t just cosmic, it’s personal. After the team’s first terrifying brush with Galactus and a near-fatal confrontation with the Silver Surfer, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Galactus wants Franklin Richards, and he’s willing to destroy Earth if the Fantastic Four don’t comply. The team is shaken, desperate, and out of options.
Related: Why Reed Richards Might Be The Real Catalyst Behind Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom’s Dark Turn
So, Reed, rather than lead with emotion or seek a miraculous workaround, defaults to his infamous cold calculus, a decision-making framework where emotion takes a backseat to probabilities and outcomes. He argues that surrendering Franklin is the most mathematically ethical option. This is a statement that is not only emotionally devastating but also reveals the darker side of Reed’s genius. It’s a gut punch, and it should be.
Sue Storm erupts in disbelief. Her outrage is the audience’s outrage. “You’re his father, Reed,” she says, barely containing her heartbreak. “He’s not an equation.” It’s the first time in live-action that we see Reed Richards not just being smart, but being wrong because he’s too smart. His brain moves faster than his heart. This is precisely what makes Mister Fantastic such a complex character.
Later, in a quieter, heartbreaking moment with Franklin, Reed confesses, “I don’t want you to be like me. There’s something wrong with me, always has been.” This moment strips the arrogance away and lays bare the vulnerability beneath the logic. Reed is simply a father terrified of becoming a cold mirror to his child.
Vanessa Kirby On Doctor Doom’s Mysterious Arrival And Working With Robert Downey Jr.
As emotionally charged as ‘Fantastic Four: First Steps‘ is, it also sets the stage for future MCU chapters in a big way. And particularly through its jaw-dropping post-credits scene. While most audiences were still processing Galactus’ terrifying debut, the screen cuts to a dimly lit scene of Sue Storm staring at a cloaked figure interacting with Franklin Richards. We never see his face, but his voice and presence are unmistakable.
Related: Marvel Hilariously Confirms Reed Richards Uses His Stretchy Powers In The Bedroom
Fans immediately began speculating, Was this Doctor Doom? In an interview with Variety, Vanessa Kirby confirmed what fans had only dared to believe: Yes, the cloaked figure is indeed Victor Von Doom. And yes, he’s being played by none other than Robert Downey Jr. Kirby described Downey Jr. as “our Godfather” on set, noting that he was present, involved, and deeply supportive throughout the shoot. “It’s been amazing being pregnant and working on Avengers,” she said, “Robert is just doing incredible work.”
With Downey Jr., Kirby, Pascal, and others already filming ‘Avengers: Doomsday’, it’s clear that the Fantastic Four are now central to the MCU’s narrative. However, Doom’s quiet entrance in First Steps is symbolic of something bigger. It might signal a new era where heroes are as flawed as the villains, and the smartest man in the room might also be the most dangerous.
