It took a long time to get here, but Marvel Studios is finally releasing their own take on the Fantastic Four with The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Now fans are speculating with a new theory which suggests The Fantastic Four: First Steps may set up the overall future of the MCU.
Of course, it’s no surprise that Marvel Studios would want to reuse the superhero team introduced in the new Fantastic Four movie. However, the theory suggests that another group of heroes could be getting set up in the film in the process.
It’s also not unlike Marvel to plan ahead and introduce such plans within their movies. However, these plans could be one of their biggest decisions yet with the MCU. Especially when one considers the possibilities held within this theory.
The theory can first be traced back to an April 2024 tweet shared by Cosmic Marvel on X, via insider @CanWeGetToast, which claimed that Sue Storm would be pregnant in the film. Furthermore, she would be having her and Reed Richards’ baby while in space. Here’s the tweet:
Vanessa Kirby’s Sue Storm will reportedly be pregnant with her and Reed’s son, Franklin, when she is first introduced in Marvel’s ‘THE FANTASTIC FOUR’ film.
Franklin will be born shortly after, in space.
(via @CanWeGetToast) pic.twitter.com/I0MvWT2LHA
— Cosmic Marvel (@cosmic_marvel) April 5, 2024
The theory has only become more relevant nearly a year later, however, with the release of the first trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps. The footage includes a shot of Sue in space, potentially in labor, while she also wears a shirt that could easily hide her pregnancy. If this turns out to be true, it could reveal the real meaning behind the film’s subtitle – “First Steps” – which could refer to Sue’s baby.
It’s worth noting that Sue and Reed do have a baby in the comics, named Franklin, and he was born a mutant. This already sets the stage for the MCU to explore the X-Men, specifically because Franklin does join various X-Men teams throughout the comics. What’s more, however, is that Franklin’s powers are quite important to the MCU especially as we approach projects including Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars.
Franklin’s powers include changing his own age, which could allow him to join the X-Men, Fantastic Four, or even the Young Avengers depending on how he chooses to present himself. Additionally, he has the ability to warp reality, which could come in handy for the Multiverse shenanigans that fans expect to see in the next two Avengers movies. He could very well be the hero capable of standing up against Doomsday’s Doctor Doom or whatever threats wait ahead in Secret Wars.
Ultimately, we’ll have to see how the fully-released film plays out. After all, this is only a theory. At this point in time, however, it does make sense – especially if it’s also used as a way to bring the Fantastic Four from their retro-futuristic universe into the MCU’s more conventional-looking timeline.
Stay tuned to ScreenGeek for any additional MCU news as we have it. For now, fans can expect to see The Fantastic Four: First Steps when it hits theaters on July 25, 2025.