The Fantastic Four: Initial Footsteps”
This movie introduces Marvel’s original family, the Fantastic Four, into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Alongside them enters one of the mightiest characters in comic book history – Franklin Richards, the son of Reed Richards (played by Pedro Pascal) and Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby). In this film adaptation that expands the Fantastic Four family, the tale swiftly sets up young Franklin as a character whose powers could impact the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe.
In the comics, Franklin possesses almost unbounded power to shape reality based on his thoughts and wishes, similar to the Reality Stone, the powerful Infinity Gem wielded by Thanos in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, it’s essential to understand the distinction between the Reality Stone and Franklin Richard. The upcoming release of First Steps offers an inside look at how the MCU is handling Franklin’s god-like abilities, allowing us to compare his powers with the impressive Reality Stone.
Warning: Spoilers for The Fantastic Four: First Steps below.
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the Reality Stone was initially introduced as the Aether, a powerful liquid weapon that the Dark Elf named Malekith (played by Christopher Eccleston) sought in Thor: The Dark World. Malekith intended to harness the Aether’s power during the Convergence, an infrequent alignment of the Nine Realms, to snuff out all light across the universe, casting it into perpetual darkness. This event served to highlight the Reality Stone’s immense capacity for devastation on a cosmic scale, as the Aether has the ability to fundamentally alter the laws of existence on a grand level.
In the movie “Avengers: Infinity War”, it was revealed that Thanos’ control over the Reality Stone wasn’t unlimited. For example, he crafted a convincing facade of a bustling Knowhere as a trap for the Guardians of the Galaxy. With ease, he transformed his adversaries – turning Drax into blocks of living matter and Mantis into flowing ribbons. However, this manipulation also showcased a significant restriction: without the presence of the other Infinity Stones, any changes made by the Reality Stone were temporary. Once Thanos departed, Drax and Mantis swiftly returned to their original forms, suggesting that the Reality Stone’s power needs consistent upkeep to maintain its transformations.
In the Disney+ series Loki, it was demonstrated that the main constraint of all Infinity Stones was established. The Time Variance Authority (TVA), an entity operating beyond time, was depicted in the series as possessing numerous Infinity Stones collected from various timelines. However, within the TVA’s headquarters, these stones were found to be powerless, serving only as colorful ornaments. This indicates that in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), an Infinity Stone‘s power is intrinsically tied to its original timeline. Consequently, the Reality Stone cannot function or exert any impact on a multiversal scale, unlike Franklin Richards who does not seem to have this limitation.
How Powerful Is Franklin Richards in the MCU?
In “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” the power of character Franklin is depicted as a dormant force. The movie’s villain, Galactus (portrayed by Ralph Ineson), is attracted to Earth due to his unquenchable appetite. However, his primary goal shifts towards the newborn Franklin. It is revealed that Galactus discovers the child has the Power Cosmic, an energy resource so vast it can satisfy Galactus’ eternal hunger, thereby freeing him from his curse by enabling Franklin to assume his role. Although the Fantastic Four are unaware of the true nature of the Power Cosmic, the plot quickly establishes Franklin as a being whose inherent abilities have the potential to alter the very essence of a cosmic entity that predates the universe itself, making the baby exceptionally powerful.
Pivotal Moments in The Fantastic Four: First Steps
The climax of The Fantastic Four: First Steps showcases an astonishing display of Franklin’s powers. To defeat Galactus, the Fantastic Four devise a risky strategy – using Franklin as a decoy to draw Galactus away from his ship and through a teleportation portal to a remote part of the cosmos. In a heart-wrenching move, Sue, utilizing all her might, mentally restrains and propels Galactus’s titanic form through the portal. The effort proves too much for her, and after saving the world, she succumbs to death in Reed’s embrace. As a mourning Reed cradles her, Franklin, the infant, starts crying. Reed gently places the baby on Sue’s chest, and in that poignant moment, Franklin’s power miraculously revives her, her eyes flashing with brilliant blue energy for just a fleeting instant. The family soon understands that as a newborn, Franklin possesses the ability to overcome death, a profound alteration in reality hinting at Franklin surpassing the temporary manipulations of the Reality Stone.
First Steps” suggests that Franklin’s powers may extend beyond a single universe. This is indicated by Doctor Doom (Robert Downey Jr.) demonstrating awareness of Franklin’s power and potential manipulation of it. Since “Avengers: Doomsday” is a story spanning multiple universes, this interest from Doom implies that Franklin’s abilities are not limited to one timeline. In the comics, Franklin is an Omega-level mutant with powers so immense he can create entire universes and even overpower cosmic beings like Celestials. If the MCU’s version of Franklin shares these capabilities, his power far surpasses that of the Reality Stone, as the latter is a tool for the universe but Franklin appears to be a force driving multiple universes, placing him in a league of his own.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is currently available in theaters.
What’s your opinion about the total range of Franklin Richards’ abilities within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)? Feel free to express your thoughts and hypotheses in the comment section!
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2025-08-01 20:41