How Powerful Franklin Richards Is Compared to Scarlet Witch

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With the premiere of “The Fantastic Four: First Steps“, Franklin Richards joins the Marvel Cinematic Universe officially. This film hints at a profound transformation for the franchise, as Franklin, initially endowed with powers derived from a mutant lineage in the comics, now obtains his abilities from the Power Cosmic on screen. His potential to become one of the MCU’s mightiest beings is evident, though this is not new information to comic book enthusiasts, who recognize Franklin as a character capable of manipulating reality with god-like powers. However, it’s worth noting that the Scarlet Witch has been demonstrating the ability to alter reality willfully for quite some time in the MCU, and her storyline has shaped our understanding of reality manipulation within this universe.

Warning: Spoilers for The Fantastic Four: First Steps below.

For quite some time, the abilities of Wanda Maximoff, portrayed by Elizabeth Olsen, were shown as a blend of telekinesis and mind control, which she obtained from Hydra’s hazardous Mind Stone experiments. However, in the Disney+ series WandaVision, her powers underwent a significant shift due to an overpowering surge of sorrow following Vision’s (Paul Bettany) demise. This emotional turmoil led her to unconsciously create the “Hex,” a vast energy barrier that entirely restructured Westview, New Jersey, into a reality imitating classic American sitcom settings. Within this enclosure, Wanda held god-like powers, capable of shaping matter as desired, producing a revamped Vision, and even giving birth to twins, Billy and Tommy, who seemingly appeared out of nowhere.

As a film enthusiast, I found myself captivated by Wanda’s astonishing performance in the movie, which caught the eye of the ancient sorceress Agatha Harkness, portrayed brilliantly by Kathryn Hahn. Agatha then unveiled the genuine essence of Wanda’s powers, revealing she was not just an enhanced individual but a living legend, none other than the Scarlet Witch. This extraordinary being has the power to manipulate Chaos Magic, a form of magic that enables its user to reshape reality itself. Agatha clarified that the Scarlet Witch wasn’t naturally born but deliberately crafted, a prophesied figure from the accursed grimoire called the Darkhold, destined to wield power beyond even the Sorcerer Supreme. This startling revelation fundamentally altered my perception of Wanda, transforming her from a powerful Avenger into a cosmic entity whose potential seemed boundless.

In the movie “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” Wanda’s sorrowful odyssey persisted as she was tainted by the sinister power of the Darkhold, causing her abilities to escalate to a chilling, multiverse-spanning level. No longer restricted to a small town, she utilized an illicit skill called “dreamwalking” to transport her mind across realities and take control of her counterpart’s body in alternate universes. This enabled her to chase America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez) through the multiverse.

In a breathtaking show of strength, the Scarlet Witch overpowered the magical barriers of Kamar-Taj and, in one of the MCU’s most violent scenes, effortlessly wiped out the Illuminati of Earth-838. In a climactic act of power, she utilized her magic to demolish Mount Wundagore, the source of the Darkhold’s power, which in turn set off a chain reaction that destroyed every copy of the cursed book across all timelines. This demonstrated her ability to impact all realities simultaneously. However, there was one crucial feat achieved by Franklin Richards as an infant that the Scarlet Witch was unable to accomplish.

Franklin’s Resurrection Act Makes Him More Powerful Than the Scarlet Witch

At the climax of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, the team faces a grueling fight against Galactus (Ralph Ineson). In an act of desperation, Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby) uses all her power to telekinetically thrust Galactus through a portal into deep space. This incredible effort takes its toll on Sue, who tragically loses her life and passes away in Reed Richards’ (Pedro Pascal) arms. As the family mourns, the newborn Franklin is laid upon Sue’s chest. In that poignant instant, Sue is miraculously resurrected, briefly displaying the cosmic power that saved her – Franklin’s Power Cosmic.

As a passionate cinephile, I must say that Franklin’s unique ability sets him on a tier above what we’ve seen from the Scarlet Witch so far. The heartbreaking crux of Wanda’s narrative lies in her struggle to maintain the life she brings into being. Her sons, Billy and Tommy, were essentially manifestations of her magic, bound by the enchantment of Westview. When she ultimately dismantled her fabricated reality, most traces of them vanished too. Granted, we learned from ‘Agatha All Along’ that Billy’s spirit endured, but he had to seek a new human vessel to preserve himself, highlighting the constraints of Wanda’s power over chaos magic.

In contrast, Franklin accomplished an extraordinary feat that defies the primary rule of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Given that the post-credits scene of The Fantastic Four: First Steps takes place four years following Sue’s resurrection, it’s clear that Franklin didn’t create a duplicate of his mother or an illusion for a short period. Instead, he ventured into the realm of death and forcefully retrieved her soul, fully restoring her to life once more. We’ve only caught a glimpse of what Franklin might achieve as he matures and masters his powers, but by displaying a power hitherto unseen in the MCU, he has already made great strides towards becoming the most potent reality-warper the universe has ever witnessed.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is now playing in theaters.

Who do you suppose will eventually emerge as the strongest character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Multiverse Storyline? Feel free to share your thoughts below!

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2025-07-28 22:10