Marvel has debuted a new trailer for The Fantastic Four: First Steps featuring the first glimpse of baby Franklin Richards and delivering the iconic line fans have been anticipating.
While much of the trailer highlights previously seen footage marketing ticket sales for the upcoming MCU film, audiences finally witness Reed Richards (Mister Fantastic) and Sue Storm (Invisible Woman) lying in bed with their infant son Franklin—marking the character's live-action debut.
Why does this matter? In a recent Empire Magazine interview, Vanessa Kirby, who portrays Sue Storm, dropped a tantalizing hint that sent shockwaves through the MCU fandom: "It's not just adults that have superpowers."
Kirby’s Sue is pregnant in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and the trailer confirms that Franklin appears—at minimum—as a newborn. As previously analyzed by IGN, this is a monumental moment for the MCU. Earlier this year, we noted:
Fans familiar with Fantastic Four comics recognize the seismic impact this development carries. Marvel Studios is introducing arguably the most powerful mutant in existence—along with potentially his super-genius sister. Sue’s pregnancy holds massive implications for the MCU and the broader multiverse.
Franklin stands among the most formidable beings in Marvel lore, capable of warping reality and matter at will—even manifesting entire pocket dimensions. His abilities extend to telepathy, telekinesis, and astral projection, rivaling cosmic entities like the Celestials and Galactus in raw power.
Multiple future versions of Franklin encountered by the Fantastic Four suggest his eventual ascension as an immortal guardian of the universe. In short: this child’s potential is limitless.
With this in mind, will Franklin rapidly age in the film to aid his family against Galactus? Could the film span years instead of weeks? Kirby’s statement strongly implies his powers will manifest in some capacity.
Meanwhile, Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s Ben Grimm (The Thing) enthusiastically delivers his legendary line—"Hell yeah!"—when Joseph Quinn’s Johnny Storm (Human Torch) asks, "Is it clobberin’ time?"—finally satisfying fans’ long-held anticipation.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps continues generating excitement ahead of its July release. Director Matt Shakman recently addressed speculation about Robert Downey Jr.’s rumored Doctor Doom appearance, hinting the villain may not appear—though post-credits teases remain a strong possibility.
Details continue emerging for Marvel’s longest MCU film since 2023’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. A leaked Snapple promo recently revealed Ralph Ineson’s take on Galactus, while a Funko Pop! leak offered another early look at the film’s aesthetic.
