With the Fantastic Four set to debut in the MCU, Franklin Richards – Reed and Susan’s son – could hold the secret behind Phase 4’s Multiverse. An Omega-level mutant with the ability to warp reality at will, Franklin has been a mainstay of Marvel’s comic book continuity since the late 1960s but has – thus far – yet to appear in any live-action adaptations. The MCU could introduce Franklin as a way to retroactively justify the Fantastic Four’s absence from the franchise, while also explaining why Marvel’s original superhero team is only being utilized now.
In the real world, the Fantastic Four’s absence from the MCU is very easily explained. Like the X-Men and Deadpool, the Fantastic Four were previously owned by 20th Century Fox and were therefore out-of-bounds as far as Disney’s MCU was concerned. Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox in 2017 means that these characters are now available and will be folded into the MCU over the coming years. Given that four non-MCU Fantastic Four films are already in existence, audiences are already aware of the characters and their origin story – allowing the family’s MCU debut to bypass a traditional introduction and factor into the wider universe more quickly, should Marvel and Disney choose to do so.
With Phase 4 set to further explore the Multiverse, the Fantastic Four could possibly exist in their own universe that sits alongside the MCU, with Franklin Richards’ immense power ripping open the barriers between each world, thus allowing their inhabitants to cross over. While the Multiverse is said to feature heavily in the upcoming Spider-Man 3 (with the return of previous Spider-Men, including Andrew Garfield and Toby Maguire, alongside current Spider-Man Tom Holland), the arrival of alternate universe characters will likely remain a mystery until Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness sheds more light on the concept. That said, Franklin could well prove key to the Multiverse’s growing presence in the MCU.
Franklin Richards In Marvel Comics Explained (Origins & Powers)
Introduced in Fantastic Four Annual #6, Franklin is the son of Reed and Susan Richards (Mister Fantastic and the Invisible Woman) and began to show signs of immense power as a toddler: the result of his parents’ radiation-altered genes. As an Omega-level mutant, Franklin is able to warp reality at will – rearranging the universe to suit his needs – and exists as one of the most potentially devastating forces in Marvel’s entire comic book continuity. Additionally, he is heavily implied to be immortal.
The catch? Franklin is often portrayed as a young child and, thus, has limited awareness and control over his powers, while also drawing the attention of numerous cosmic threats that wish to utilize him for their own sinister ends. Essentially, he’s Marvel’s equivalent of Jack-Jack from The Incredibles but dialed up to eleven – although this unpredictability could benefit the MCU in the long run.
How The MCU Fantastic 4 Film Could Link To The Multiverse
The Fantastic Four’s absence from the MCU, thus far, has led many to question how Marvel’s “First Family” could make their debut so late in the game – their origin story less epic in scope than the MCU’s current output, and more befitting the spirit of Phase 1. Having the Fantastic Four already exist in a separate universe, with Franklin inadvertently ripping holes between worlds, would be an interesting way to bypass the Fantastic Four’s origin story and weave them into the MCU fully-formed.
Franklin could be the answer as to why there are multiple Spider-Men set to appear in Spider-Man 3; the extent of his powers unknown to the Fantastic Four until they discover that he has been degrading the Multiverse barriers and allowing multiple universes to mingle. This could obviously have big ramifications for the MCU’s Phase 5 and onwards, which are set to introduce other characters previously owned by 20th Century Fox – most notably, the X-Men.
What Franklin Richards’ Introduction Could Mean For MCU Phase 5 (& The X-Men)
As stated previously, Franklin is an Omega-level mutant, meaning that his introduction would ideally occur alongside the X-Men since the concept of “mutants” has yet to appear in the MCU. X-Men stories regularly focus on discrimination against mutants – a metaphor for racism, homophobia, and general bigotry that sadly exist in the real world – which could tie into Franklin’s story nicely. Upon discovering that a baby or toddler possesses such insane levels of power, many people (and organizations) of the MCU would see Franklin as a potentially devastating threat – inciting hatred against the entire mutant race after a significant, Multiverse-related event.
Additionally, Galactus – a cosmic entity who consumes entire planets for sustenance – is rumored to be the main villain from Phase 4 onwards, much like Thanos’s role throughout the Infinity Saga. Galactus has numerous ties to Franklin in the comics, with the child possessing abilities that rival his own. They have been both enemies and friends and, in the comic book continuity, are both present when the universe comes to an end – outlasting many of Marvel’s flagship characters. Franklin could, therefore, provide the means to defeat Galactus, even if only on a temporary basis.
The Problems With Introducing Franklin To The Fantastic Four In The MCU
Franklin’s immense power could well be too much for the MCU to handle, as after such a significant character is established, it becomes difficult to justify why he doesn’t simply solve every problem that occurs after his arrival. As such, the MCU might be inclined to pull back on Franklin’s power set – though such a decision would likely anger fans, keen to see Franklin at the height of his abilities (as per the comic book continuity).
Instead, introducing Franklin as a baby would provide the justification as to why he can’t solve every problem – being largely unaware that they exist in the first place, given his underdeveloped mind. His powers, therefore, could take on a random (and occasionally devastating) quality that can hinder the MCU as much as help it – thus avoiding any power-balance issues.
Franklin’s character might also seem old-hat by the time he makes his debut, with WandaVision already featuring Wanda and Vision’s super-powered offspring. Curiously, Disney+’s other flagship show, The Mandalorian, also features a super-powered baby. As such, the trope will likely feel tired by the time Fantastic Four rolls around, though could be justified as a thematic link used throughout the MCU’s upcoming phases.
