The Fantastic Four: First Steps
The Fantastic Four : First Stepscould reveal Galactus ' rightful identity operator and exchange the MCU in a large direction , if this Marvel theory is to be think . As therelease date forThe Fantastic Four : First Stepsedges nigher , Marvel Studios is delving into the marketing for the film . Be it a larger focus onThe Fantastic Four : First Steps’castand their fundamental interaction or teases of their involvement inAvengers : Doomsday , the marketing for the project is complain into high geared wheel .
This was unmistakable by the acquittance of a newtrailer forThe Fantastic Four : First Steps , released in April 2025 . The trailer included some big reveals for theupcoming MCU movie , from the first look at the Silver Surfer or bigger teases of Galactus ' nefarious role . Since then , theory have been craft about Galactus ' inclusion in the film . One of these theory tie to another major element render inThe Fantastic Four : First Steps ' trailer , which reveals the true indistinguishability of Galactus and promises a massive encroachment on the MCU multiverse .
The Fantastic Four: First Steps Introduces Galactus And Teases Franklin Richards
Two Major Fantastic Four Characters Are Coming To The MCU
As already alluded to , The Fantastic Four : First Stepswill introduce Galactus to the MCU . Firstly , it is deserving exploring who or what Galactus is before delve into the hypothesis about his identity . In Marvel Comics , Galactus is a cosmic entity who can change his sizing at will . Galactus feed on the life force of planets across the cosmos , draining them so as to sustain himself . Oftentimes , Galactus beam heralds such as the Silver Surfer to these planets to discourage them of his comer , with his immense size and force make him an improbably hard villain to get the better of .
Galactus was originally inaugurate to be a young sort of baddie - will the MCU keep what made his Fantastic Four first appearance so impactful ?
Galactus will be the primary villain ofThe Fantastic Four : First Steps , with the team seek for a direction to deliver Earth from his hunger . Moreover , the team has more personal stakes in the fight against Galactus , as confirmed by the most late trailer for the film . The trailer teasedFranklin Richards’Fantastic Four : First Stepsinclusionthanks to the reveal that Sue Storm is pregnant . Franklin is the eldest son of Reed and Sue in the comics and an immeasurably potent mutant who has the ability to rewrite reality at will , alongside his vivid psionic powers .
MCU Fantastic Four Theory: First Steps' Galactus Is Actually Franklin Richards
Tying The Villain To The Titular Team
With both Franklin Richards and Galactus being tease as vainglorious parts ofThe Fantastic Four : First Steps , a theory has been crafted that ties the two together . This theory claim that Galactus ' rightful identity is a next interlingual rendition of Franklin himself . In Marvel Comics , there is a precedent for Franklin Richards traveling through time with his incredible psionic powers . As a issue , this possibility take that Franklin from the future tense , as Galactus , traveled back to the clock time ofThe Fantastic Four : First Stepsto demolish Earthand his former self .
This could explain why Galactus appears to Earth at the same time as Sue Storm find out she is pregnant , with the future version of Franklin want to bolt down his young ego …
Franklin Richards is known as one of the most herculean beings in the entire Marvel Comics world , meaning Galactus could fear that a interpretation of the character could thwart him . This could explain why Galactus appears to Earth at the same time as Sue Storm feel out she is meaning , with the next variation of Franklin wanting to kill his younger ego to remove the possibleness of the latter defeating the former . The steady rules of fourth dimension travel would not weigh in this scenario , as Franklin ’s realness - warping powers could make Galactus be without his young self .
Custom Image by Milica Djordjevic
The ‘Galactus Is Franklin Richards’ Theory Has Marvel Comics Precedent
Based On A Specific Comic Book Run
To make this theory even more interesting , Franklin Richards spent time as Galactus at one point in Marvel Comics . During theEarth Xstoryline , Franklin became Galactus as a means of save the Celestial universe of the world in hindrance . Franklin , losing all memory board of his former spirit , became Galactus and began devouring planet that housed unborn Celestials . Interestingly , there are some connections between theEarth XMarvel Comics plot line and the teases ofThe Fantastic Four : First Steps ' Silver Surfer and Galactus .
The MCU ’s Silver Surfer is based on Shalla - Bal instead of Norrin - Rad . This modification might seem trivial , but it in reality enrich the narration notably .
In the MCU , the Silver Surfer will be Shalla - Bal . Shalla - Bal was part of the aforementionedEarth Xstoryline as the lover of the original Silver Surfer , Norrin Radd . However , in this laughable book storyline , Shalla - Bal was made a Silver Surfer herself as one of the heralds of Franklin Richards ' Galactus . Therefore , The Fantastic Four : First Steps ' inclusion of Shalla - Bal ’s Silver Surfer could intend that Galactus is Franklin Richards after all . While this hypothesis is avowedly jolly farfetched , some pieces of evidence could see it descend true inThe Fantastic Four : First Steps .
Galactus Being Franklin Richards Has Major Implications For The MCU
The MCU Could Be Changed Forever
Beyond what this theory would mean forThe Fantastic Four : First Steps , Franklin Richards being revealed as Galactus would have crowing implications for the wide MCU . For one , this theory would allow time travel to be premise to the enfranchisement . AlthoughAvengers : Endgameincluded a time travel storyline , this was established via the Quantum Realm and involved substitute universe rather than time travel in a traditional sense . If Franklin Richards is break as Galactus , the potential time locomotion element of the story means the concept will be by rights part of the MCU .
If this theory comes true , it will also mark off one of the few times that a major Marvel hero has been limn as a scoundrel . The big example of this happening in the MCU was in 2022’sDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness , with Scarlet Witch becoming a multiversal villain . If Franklin Richards follows courting , though potentially with less command / memory over his action at law , two big mutant heroes would have become MCU villains .
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is full of hefty villain that depart wildly in metier , from tyrannical mutant leaders to literal cosmic god .
lastly , Franklin Richards ' potential storyline inThe Fantastic Four : First Stepscould define up the story ofAvengers : DoomsdayandAvengers : Secret Wars . The latter expected to follow the Marvel Comics storyline of the same name , with the former setting the cornerstone for this , in which Franklin Richards ' reality - warping powers helped fix the multiverse . By setting up how powerful these power could be inThe Fantastic Four : First Steps , an entire part of the upcomingAvengersmovies could be established .
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