Does The Fantastic Four’s Full Title Tease Another Character’s Debut?

Does The Fantastic Four's Full Title Tease Another Character's Debut?

As a long-time comic book enthusiast who’s been following the Fantastic Four since their inception, I can’t help but feel a sense of anticipation that’s bordering on giddiness at the prospect of Marvel Studios rebooting this iconic team. The fact that they’re setting it in the 1960s and giving us a glimpse into the early days of these extraordinary individuals is just the cherry on top.


The long-awaited reboot of Marvel’s “The Fantastic Four” is nearly here! The upcoming movie left fans thrilled after its sneak peek at San Diego Comic-Con, revealing fresh details. Known officially as “The Fantastic Four: First Steps“, the film marks a new chapter for Marvel’s original family in cinema. Set in the 1960s and distinct from the main Marvel Cinematic Universe, it sparks curiosity about what’s to come. The intriguing subtitle “First Steps ” might even suggest a possible debut of Franklin Richards on the big screen!

In 1968, the introduction of Franklin Richards, the firstborn son of Reed Richards and Sue Storm in Marvel comics, significantly reshaped storytelling within the Marvel universe. Over the following years, readers have witnessed Franklin’s growth into one of history’s most powerful Omega-level mutants, boasting reality-altering and telepathic abilities. As time passed, his younger sister, Valeria Richards, made her appearance in the comics as well, enriching the family dynamics that now play a crucial role in the narrative development of the Fantastic Four.

Will The Fantastic Four: First Steps Introduce Franklin Richards?

The title “First Steps” in this film carries a variety of potential interpretations, such as its portrayal of the 1960s era, the initial entry of the franchise into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the early stages of the team’s superhero careers, and possibly their introduction to the main Earth-616 universe before “Avengers: Secret Wars“. According to Director Matt Shakman, while the title does symbolize the film’s connection to the 1960s Space Race, it holds additional meanings that are not yet revealed. This raises the possibility that “First Steps” may also signify one of the most common uses of this phrase — the “first steps” made by a baby.

At Comic-Con, a glimpse of the upcoming Fantastic Four film revealed snippets of Reed (Pedro Pascal) and Sue’s (Vanessa Kirby) family life, suggesting they prioritize shared meals as a unit. It’s plausible that their household may include Franklin and/or Valeria, enhancing the team’s emotional journey and setting this adaptation apart from past iterations of the series. Notably, whispers of a kid-friendly Fantastic Four reboot centered around Franklin and Valeria surfaced at Fox in 2017, prior to Disney’s acquisition of the Marvel characters from 20th Century Fox. Although the specifics of how Franklin will be incorporated into The Fantastic Four: First Steps remain unclear – whether as a child, an infant, or with Sue possibly expecting throughout the movie – his presence is certain to add more intrigue to the series’ evolution.

The initial release of “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” has been planned for a theater-only debut on July 25, 2025.

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2024-08-03 08:09