The Marvel Cinematic Universe is not short of geniuses, with Tony Stark, Bruce Banner, and Shuri being represented throughout the saga. However, ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ brings a sort of genius that the MCU has never really demonstrated before.
It’s a mind so developed, so terrifyingly effective, that even the legendary intellect of Tony Stark begins to look human. Reed Richards, played by Pedro Pascal, does not simply solve problems. He predicts them, countermeasures them, and advances the world even before the threats arrive. Let’s break down why Reed may be operating at a level far beyond Tony Stark’s.
Tony Stark’s Genius Was Innovative But Disorganized
After watching ‘First Steps’, there is one thing that becomes obvious at the very beginning: this version of Reed Richards is the smartest man that the MCU has ever put on-screen. And his exploits are not merely wonderful, they are world-changing. With the knowledge that Pascal will soon have to deal with Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’, the question is even more compelling: Are we witnessing the formal passing of the MCU’s “smartest hero” crown?
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The genius of Tony Stark is legendary. His arc reactor miniaturization alone marked him as one of the most accomplished minds in MCU history. And over the years, Stark continued to raise the bar. He created the first Iron Man suit out of scraps in a cave, something no other hero was able to do. He developed superior AI systems such as JARVIS, FRIDAY, and the notorious Ultron. Stark was behind the creation of nanotech armor, which is arguably the most powerful weapon ever created by a human being.
He solved time travel when the Avengers had already given up on it. Ultimately, he was able to outwit Thanos, the universe’s greatest tactician, in his final act. Stark was not only brilliant but bold, emotional, and reckless in a manner that made his intelligence seem alive. His decisions influenced the MCU for more than ten years. So, his influence cannot be doubted.
However, Stark’s genius was also reactive. He innovated when pressed. He made Ultron because he was afraid of the future, and he made time travel because he was afraid of failure. Yes, he was a genius, but very human in how he applied that brilliance. Whereas, Reed Richards is another thing altogether.
Reed Richards’ Genius Is Not Reactive, He Is Always One Step Ahead
‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ presents Reed at a stage when the Fantastic Four have been superheroes for only four years. Four. And yet, within a shorter time than it took Tony Stark to travel between the Battle of New York and the construction of time machines, Reed is able to solve issues that border on universal. He successfully stops global crime by himself. For his son, he baby-proofs the whole planet.
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Reed creates the closest thing to a crime-free Earth the MCU has ever seen. Tony Stark built the Iron Legion. Reed Richards built a globally integrated, self-correcting safety network. He then mastered space travel. Tony had technology that enabled him to explore the universe more, but Reed? Reed constructs a spaceship that renders S.H.I.E.L.D., NASA, and the Guardians of the Galaxy outdated.
Reed is frequently referred to as the Einstein of Space-Time even in the comics, and ‘First Steps’ does not shun the label. His knowledge of cosmic routes, interdimensional physics, and FTL travel overshadows anything the MCU has demonstrated to date. He also perfects teleportation. This is the big one. Tony created nanotech. He constructed intercontinental weapons. However, Reed can transfer complete cosmic beings throughout the universe.
He does not simply teleport matter. He teleports planets and the planet water Galactus through his genius. That is literally rewriting the rules of existence. It is the kind of genius that is almost disturbing. Reed is cool, systematic, and frighteningly efficient. When he enters a room, the audience feels the presence of a mind operating ten steps ahead of everyone else. He’s not reacting to the world. He’s reshaping it.
