Why Doctor Doom Wants Franklin Richards Explained in Game-Changing MCU Theory

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In the last days of 2025, Marvel Studios formally introduced Doctor Doom into the Marvel Cinematic Universe within the movie titled “The Fantastic Four: First Steps“. However, this move has sparked significant curiosity regarding what the renowned antagonist could be seeking with Franklin Richards. It was confirmed that Robert Downey Jr. would rejoin the MCU and first appear as Victor Von Doom during Marvel’s San Diego Comic-Con presentation from the previous year. Initially, it was anticipated that his debut would occur in 2026’s “Avengers: Doomsday“, but Downey Jr. instead made a surprise appearance as Doom in the mid-credits scene of “The Fantastic Four: First Steps“.

In the four years following their confrontation with Galactus, the Fantastic Four’s encounter found Doctor Doom (Ralph Ineson) at the Baxter Building, standing before Franklin Richards. When Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby) entered the scene, she noticed Franklin extending his hand towards Doom, who had removed his metal mask to reveal his face. Initially, it was puzzling as to why Doom would seek out Franklin first, but a growing theory posits that Doom could be after Franklin’s extraordinary Power Cosmic for both healing his face and advancing his plans in Phase 6, according to @GabiMG_News.

Title rephrased: Spoiler Alert – After-Credits Insight into Fantastic Four

1/4 #TheFirstStepsOfFantasticFour
Noteworthy detail: Franklin gently touches RDJ’s Doom’s scarred face. There’s no fear in his eyes, only recognition. This tender gesture indicates that Franklin recognizes Doom and feels compelled to help him, sensing the need for healing. #FantasticFour #DOOM

— Gabi MG (@GabiMG_News) July 31, 2025

Starting from his debut in Marvel Comics’ “Fantastic Four #5” in 1962, Doctor Doom has established himself as a persistent and significant antagonist to the Fantastic Four. He doesn’t just clash with them though; he’s gone head-to-head with many other heroes across the Marvel Universe. Particularly memorable are his roles in the “Secret Wars” crossover events of 1984 and 2015, where he was portrayed as the greatest and most formidable threat in the cosmos. It’s expected that this trend will continue in the Russo brothers’ live-action crossover films, “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars”, and it might be through Doctor Doom’s control over Franklin Richards’ Power Cosmic that he achieves such a status.

In Marvel Comics, Franklin Richards, the child of Reed Richards’ Mister Fantastic (Pedro Pascal) and Sue Storm’s Invisible Woman, doesn’t possess the Power Cosmic like Galactus’ heralds do, such as Shalla-Bal’s Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Instead, Franklin is an omega-level mutant. Characters wielding the Power Cosmic have already demonstrated extraordinary powers in the MCU, and Franklin has shown the ability to resurrect individuals, suggesting that there might be no bounds to these extraordinary abilities.

In a scenario where Doctor Doom possesses the ability to utilize Franklin Richards’ powers, it’s not just about healing his facial scars from a failed science experiment with Reed Richards – there’s another compelling reason behind Doom’s desire for the Power Cosmic. During the 2015 Secret Wars event, Doom acquired the Beyonders’ extraordinary power to craft Battleworld from shattered universes affected by incursions. Introducing this dynamic into upcoming movies like Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars would be captivating, but it could potentially lead to troublesome situations for Franklin Richards and other individuals with comparable powers.

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2025-08-05 14:10