Summary
Marvel’s First Family is about to make its debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and while the fan-favorite team has a checkered past when it comes to the big screen, Matt Shakman’sThe Fantastic Four: First Stepshopes to put them back on track. With the rights being a major part of Disney’s 2019 acquisition of 20th Century Fox,The Fantastic Four: First Stepsmarks their return to cinemas for the first time since 2015’s disastrousFant4stic. As the MCU gears up forAvengers: DoomsdayandSecret Wars, the Fantastic Four are poised to be major players in the franchise’s future.
The Fantastic Four: First Stepsboasts an all-star cast that includes Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as the titular team. They’re joined by Ralph Inneson’s Galactus, Julia Garner’s Silver Surfer, and a rumored appearance ofRobert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom. As well as speculation John Malkovich could be playing Red Ghost and Paul Walter Hauser is Mole Man, there could be another important character waiting in the wings. Notably, the Fantastic Four’s addition of the Future Foundation might be teasing some important names from the pages of Marvel Comics.
What is the Future Foundation in Marvel Comics?
Making their debut in 2010’sFantastic Four#57, the Future Foundation was Reed Richard’s solution to the problems of tomorrow…today. Disgruntled with the world’s scientists, Mister Fantastic formed his own think tank of young but brilliant minds. Instead of the classic blue of the Fantastic Four, members of the Future Foundation sport white suits. Formed after the (temporary) death of the Human Torch, the lineup even included Peter Parker/Spider-Man at the request of Johnny Storm’s request before he died. Despite Spider-Man’s prominence with the Future Foundation, it would be surprising ifTom Holland’s wall-crawling heroappeared.
The original Future Foundation lineup includes Zero-G (Alex Power), Dragon Man, Bentley 23 as a clone of the Wizard, and three evolved Moloids called Tong, Turg, Mik, and Korr. Nathaniel Richards is another big name to join the team, and while there’s no word of Reed’s father being inFirst Steps, it’s also a possibility. Another major addition to the Future Foundation is Doctor Doom. Fans know RDJ is playing him in the MCU, withDoctor Doom tipped to appear inThe Fantastic Four: First Steps. Doom joins the team at the request of Nathaniel and Reed/Sue’s daughter, Valeria Richards.First Stepsmight be set in its own reality away from the mainline Earth-616 timeline, but with everyone from She-Hulk to Ant-Man having been on the Future Foundation over the years, there could be some surprising cameos.
Thefirst teaser forThe Fantastic Four: First Stepsmentioned the Future Foundation, with the group seemingly being behind the rocket that sends the Fantastic Four into space. AlthoughFirst Stepsisn’t expected to be a traditional origin story, fans are at least expanding some backstory on how they got their powers. Like in the comics, it looks like they’ll gain their powers after being blasted by cosmic rays on a trip into the cosmos. The movie has already put an emphasis on the Future Foundations thanks to a viral website themed around the organization and giving fans a number of free comics to read. While it’s unclear who will be part of the lineup, one major player is tipped to have a role to play.
Franklin Richards Could be an Important Part of The Fantastic Four: First Steps
According to leaker @MyTimeToShineH, Franklin Richards will be key toFirst Steps’ plot. With Franklin’s powers including reality-warping abilities and the potential to build his own universes, it makes sense if he appears to help his parents battle Galactus. There are reports that Galactus will summon the Fantastic Four by sending the Silver Surfer to Earth and demand they hand over Franklin.
This would fit with a recent synopsis that outlined some of Galactus’ plan and teased a ‘personal’ connection:
“Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, they must defend Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner). And if Galactus’ plan to devour the entire planet and everyone on it weren’t bad enough, it suddenly gets very personal.”
Some noted that the movie’s subtitle ofFirst Stepscould be hinting at Franklin, while insider Daniel Richtman claimed that a young Franklin (aged four) will appear inFirst Stepsand then be recast as 10-13 for a much bigger role inAvengers: Doomsday.
Looking at the comics, Marvel Studios might be inspired by “Earth X” and the reality where Shalla-Bal became the Silver Surfer. In this reality, Franklin let the High Evolutionary turn him into the new Galactus in an attempt to restore balance by protecting it from Celestials. Franklin lost his memories, but thanks to some help from the Silver Surfers, he only consumed planets that were destined to eventually give birth to a Celestial. Although that all sounds too complicated forFirst Steps, Franklin’s legacy as an Omega-Level Mutant means he’s poised to be one of the MCU’s most powerful characters when he eventually arrives. Even thoughAvengers: Doomsdayis missing some big characters, the Fantastic Four are confirmed as part of the ensemble.
WithThe Fantastic Four: First Stepspicking up with a team that’s been established for a while, they’re already expected to be in action. There’s a clear emphasis on the ‘family’ aspect of the Fantastic Four, and with it, a little bundle of joy could be on the way. Eagle-eyed fans have spotted a change in hairstyle for Kirby’s Sue Storm, suggesting there will be some sort of time jump. Her changing appearance could also be hiding a pregnancy, with theorists guessing that the arrival of Franklin Richards will be a major plot point. Set leaks also appeared to show her holding a baby. Back in 2017, Seth Grahame-Smith was writing a script for aFantastic Fourmovie that would put the focus on bothFranklin and Valeria Richards, and despite that being completely unrelated toFirst Steps, the writing team could return to the idea of bringing in the talented tot. Even if Franklin Richards is being saved for a rainy day, it seems like only a matter of time until he’s making his mark on the MCU.
