Marvel Studios has unveiled a brand-new trailer for *The Fantastic Four: First Steps*, and this time, it brings with it a moment fans have long anticipated—the first on-screen appearance of baby Franklin Richards. The trailer, which aims to drive ticket sales ahead of the film’s upcoming release, offers a glimpse into the personal lives of Reed Richards (Mister Fantastic) and Sue Storm (Invisible Woman), as they’re shown lying in bed with their newborn son, Franklin. This marks the character’s cinematic debut and opens the door to major implications within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Vanessa Kirby, who portrays Sue Storm, recently hinted at what’s to come during an interview with Empire Magazine, stating cryptically: “It’s not just adults that have superpowers.” That line alone sent waves through the MCU fan community. In context, this revelation about Franklin could be one of the most significant introductions since the MCU’s inception—especially considering Franklin’s comic book origins as one of the most powerful mutants in the Marvel Universe.
This moment marks a pivotal step forward for the MCU, as previously explored by IGN. As noted earlier this year:
“Anyone familiar with the Fantastic Four comics knows how monumental this is for the team. Marvel Studios is preparing to introduce what may be the most powerful mutant ever seen in the MCU. Could his sister also make an appearance? Let’s break down why Sue’s pregnancy—and Franklin’s existence—could reshape the future of the Marvel multiverse.
Franklin possesses reality-warping abilities that allow him to manipulate matter, create pocket dimensions, and exert telekinetic and telepathic influence. His powers extend even further, enabling him to project his consciousness across the astral plane. In short, he’s a being whose strength rivals cosmic entities like Galactus and the Celestials—and he’s still growing.
Multiple future versions of Franklin have appeared throughout the Fantastic Four’s history, suggesting he will one day become an immortal guardian of the Marvel Universe.”
With all of this in mind, is it possible that Franklin will age rapidly in the movie and play a key role in helping the Fantastic Four face off against Galactus? Does this suggest the events of *The Fantastic Four: First Steps* span multiple years? Kirby’s remarks strongly imply we’ll witness some level of power manifestation from Franklin on screen.
Elsewhere in the trailer, fans finally hear Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s Ben Grimm—aka The Thing—respond with an enthusiastic “Hell yeah!” when Joseph Quinn’s Johnny Storm asks the iconic question: “Is it clobberin’ time?” A small but satisfying moment that brings even more excitement ahead of the film’s release.
As anticipation builds toward the July premiere, director Matt Shakman recently addressed rumors regarding Robert Downey Jr.’s involvement as Doctor Doom—seemingly ruling out his appearance. However, many fans believe Doom could still make a surprise cameo, possibly in a post-credits scene.
Earlier this month, confirmed details emerged about *The Fantastic Four: First Steps* runtime, revealing it to be the longest MCU film since *Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3* in 2023. Additionally, fans received a sneak peek at Ralph Ineson’s version of Galactus through a leaked Snapple promotional image. This followed a revealing Funko Pop! spoiler for The Fantastic Four: First Steps, further fueling speculation about the story arcs and character developments waiting in store.
