Is the ‘Fantastic Four’ Trailer Hiding a Major Plot Point in Plain Sight?

by

Quick Links

  • Who Is Franklin Richards in Marvel Comics?
  • Is Franklin Richards the Reason Galactus Comes to Earth?
  • Franklin Richard’s Could Be Important to ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ and ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’
  • “First Steps” Takes On New Meaning

The Fantastic Four: Initial Journey”

This upcoming movie, titled “The Fantastic Four: Initial Journey,” has sparked immense excitement not only within the Marvel Cinematic Universe but also across 2025 as a whole. The film’s teaser trailer garnered an impressive 202 million views in just 24 hours, leaving fans eagerly anticipating its release. Even those who may have felt fatigued by some of the MCU’s recent releases are expressing positive sentiments about this new adaptation. This fresh interpretation of Marvel’s original family is generating quite a buzz, mainly due to its ambition to differentiate itself from previous cinematic adaptations.

One significant way in which “The Fantastic Four: Initial Journey” aims to set itself apart and remain faithful to the comics is by incorporating a character of immense importance: Franklin Richards.

In the upcoming Fantastic Four movie, “First Steps,” there’s been a lot of speculation among fans about whether Sue Storm (The Invisible Woman) could potentially be pregnant. Some have suggested that certain shots may have digitally concealed a baby bump. This isn’t too far-fetched when you consider similar editing techniques used in other movies, such as adding The Hulk to the Avengers: Infinity War trailer or omitting Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield from the final shot of Tom Holland in Spider-Man: No Way Home.

Marvel has subtly inserted a scene in the trailer for the upcoming “Fantastic Four: First Steps” that may mislead fans, as it appears to depict the team’s origin but actually symbolizes the expansion of the Fantastic Four family. This hidden event could introduce the most potent character within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). This revelation alters our understanding of “Fantastic Four: First Steps” and its connections to the villain Galactus, the ongoing Multiverse Saga leading to “Avengers: Doomsday”, and potentially redefine the aftermath of “Avengers: Secret Wars”.

The ‘Fantastic Four’ Trailer Seemingly Reveals Sue Storm Is Pregnant

The brief trailer for “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” indicates that the film will not delve into the team’s origins but instead present a group already assembled. Nevertheless, certain scenes subtly suggest their initial storyline, such as Ben Grimm/The Thing observing news coverage of the team prior to their space voyage, and another scene depicting Reed Richards and Sue Storm in space, where Reed seems to be making Sue invisible.

It is speculated that this scene, shown 42 seconds into the trailer, may be a glimpse into the team’s past. However, if it does depict their origin, it appears to be set after they have already acquired their powers. This is suggested by Reed’s flight suit bearing the number 4 on his left arm, which is different from the space suits they wore prior to gaining their abilities.

The statement can be rephrased as follows: The dialogue in the trailer, “Before we went up the first time,” spoken by Reed, hints at a return voyage of the Fantastic Four into space in the upcoming movie. The reason for their space journey could be due to a new mission or discovery. As for Reed Richards’ apparent apprehension about space travel again, it might stem from an unforeseen complication that makes this trip different from their previous adventures.

From my perspective as a movie critic, I must say that the scene where Reed cradles Sue Storm in the vast expanse of space, with her becoming invisible before our eyes, is quite intriguing. Unlike her husband, Reed, Sue is not wearing any space attire, instead draped in a white gown reminiscent of a hospital garment. The pose is strikingly similar to that of a woman laboring in a hospital, with Reed by her side, tenderly holding her hand. This striking imagery seems to hint that this celestial scene is not the conventional origin story for the Fantastic Four, but rather, it appears to be where Sue Storm is about to give birth to their son, Franklin Richards.

Who Is Franklin Richards in Marvel Comics?

Franklin Richards, a character in the Fantastic Four series, made his official debut in Fantastic Four Annual #6, which was published in November 1968. However, hints about his existence were given a year earlier in Fantastic Four Annual #5 when Sue Storm announced her pregnancy. The idea of the Fantastic Four’s married couple having a child, which eventually led to the creation of Franklin, was conceived by Stan Lee as a way to make the characters more relatable and reflect the concept of family, a core theme of the Fantastic Four.

Despite the challenges, giving birth to Franklin Richards proved to be quite complex. Since the Fantastic Four obtained their powers through cosmic rays, it meant that Sue’s blood was rich in cosmic energy. This made childbirth a tough and risky process, especially for the unborn baby. To ensure a safe delivery for both mother and child, Reed, Johnny, and Ben journeyed to the Negative Zone to retrieve an artifact called the Cosmic Rod from a villain named Annihilus, who possessed this item that could aid in a smooth delivery.

Born with extraordinary abilities stemming from cosmic sources, Franklin Richards’ parents bestowed upon him these powers, making him a unique character in the Marvel Comics universe. He is classified as a mutant due to his birth and possesses immense power over reality and psionics. His abilities are so profound that he can even shape new realities, classifying him as an Omega-level mutant.

In the upcoming movie titled “Fantastic Four: First Steps“, the challenges surrounding Franklin Richards’ birth seem to be reworked. Instead of Reed venturing into the Negative Zone for Sue Storm to safely deliver her child, it appears they will have to do so in space. The presence of Franklin Storm in “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” is significant, as he adds depth to the family dynamic that forms the core theme of the team. Furthermore, his powers, which include creating new realities and abilities yet to be discovered, may attract the attention of the Fantastic Four’s most formidable adversaries. It is possible that Franklin Richard could be the key factor putting Earth at risk from Galactus in this storyline.

Is Franklin Richards the Reason Galactus Comes to Earth?

The appearance of Galactus in “Fantastic Four: First Steps” could indicate that the story may center around Franklin Richards, as there is a strong connection between these two characters throughout Marvel’s comics. In Fantastic Four #16 from March 2012, it was disclosed that Franklin Richards is immortal, and Galactus, the World Devourer, finds comfort in knowing he won’t be alone as they both await the heat death of the universe. Significantly, Franklin Richards will join him during the creation of a new cosmos.

In the upcoming storyline of Marvel Comics Universe, as depicted in the Fantastic Four: First Steps, there’s a hint that Franklin Richards will take over the role of Galactus. This link between Franklin Richards and the succession of Galactus could play a significant role in the film’s plot. The revised tagline for The Fantastic Four: First Steps, accompanying the new trailer, reads: “If Galactus’ plan to consume an entire planet wasn’t menacing enough, it becomes deeply personal.

In the comics, it’s hinted that the connection between Galactus and Franklin Richards might bring Franklin into the movie and potentially be the reason Galactus targets Earth initially. This suggests Reed and Sue’s child could play a significant role. Although Galactus might perceive Franklin as a threat to his power and attempt to eliminate him, this conflict seems relatively straightforward in terms of moral dilemmas for the Fantastic Four to handle.

Galactus may choose to exploit Franklin Richard’s immense cosmic abilities in an attempt to rejuvenate his original universe, which predates the MCU multiverse and the Multiversal War involving He Who Remains and various Kang the Conqueror iterations. In essence, Galactus could put Earth in peril, forcing the Fantastic Four to grapple with a difficult decision: saving Franklin Richards or the entire planet. This predicament undoubtedly will push the Fantastic Four’s moral boundaries and test their mettle.

As a die-hard fan of cinematic marvels, I can’t help but resonate with Sue Storm’s words from the trailer that echo, “Whatever challenges life sends our way, we’ll confront them united, as a family.” This isn’t just about Sue, Reed, Johnny, Ben, and the usual suspects; it also includes Franklin Richards. This film is a celebration of family, a bond that continues to expand. Even in the face of cosmic obliteration, the Fantastic Four’s greatest asset lies in their unity.

In Marvel Comics’ Fantastic Four #502 from 2003, The Thing assures a frightened Franklin Richards, “If any of us were truly trapped in Hell with you, you know we’d fight to the very end.” The team may not abandon Franklin, but they won’t risk the world either. They will do everything possible to halt Galactus, shaping the MCU’s destiny ahead.

Franklin Richard’s Could Be Important to ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ and ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’

In the comic books, the ability to alter reality, possessed by Franklin Richards, plays crucial roles in two distinct tales that rewrite entire universes. The first instance occurred during a confrontation with the villain Onslaught. This formidable adversary, born from a sinister fusion of Professor X and Magneto’s consciousness, abducted Franklin Richards to remodel reality. An alliance of the Fantastic Four, X-Men, and The Avengers managed to subdue Onslaught. However, it appeared that many of these heroes perished in the conflict, including the Fantastic Four. In a narrative titled “Heroes Reborn,” Franklin employed his powers to preserve their lives within a separate universe, which served as a means for Marvel heroes to be rebooted.

Secret Wars”, it appears that Franklin Richards may be significant for the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The MCU might combine elements from “Heroes Reborn” and the aftermath of the “Secret Wars” comic, with Franklin Richards potentially acting as a catalyst to reboot the franchise within the MCU’s timeline. This could allow the Fantastic Four to join the main universe and introduce mutants, paving the way for the X-Men.

“First Steps” Takes On New Meaning

At San Diego Comic-Con 2024, the title for the upcoming MCU Fantastic Four movie was revealed to be “The Fantastic Four: First Steps.” Since its official announcement in December 2020, the film had been known simply as “Fantastic Four,” leaving many wondering why it would change the title just before production. It turns out that this new title could help differentiate it from the other two films previously released under the name “Fantastic Four.” Furthermore, similar to titles like “Spider-Man: Homecoming” and “Daredevil: Born Again,” “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” carries multiple meanings.

Many viewers noticed that the title The Fantastic Four: First Steps was a nod to Neil Armstrong’s famous words when he stepped off Apollo 11 and onto the moon on July 20, 1969: “This is one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” This movie, set in an alternate 1960s inspired by the space race era that influenced the comics (The Fantastic Four’s origins revolve around stealing a rocket to beat the Russians into space), appears to be both a reference to this historical setting and a possible hint at the Fantastic Four embarking on their initial journey into other dimensions and the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Including Franklin Richards could significantly transform First Steps, symbolizing both a nod to the 1960s space race and the poignant moment when a child takes their first steps – a feeling for parents that’s as powerful as becoming a superhero. This significance has been implicit since July 2024.

The upcoming film titled “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” not only debuts the original characters who laid the foundation for the current Marvel Universe in movies, but also an influential figure that could redefine the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe as we now understand it. This new phase, filled with fresh perspectives and potential, may well commence with the emergence of Franklin Richards. The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set to premiere on July 25, 2025.

Read More

2025-02-13 01:02