So This Is Why Marvel Waited To Reveal Reed Richards’ Mister Fantastic Superpowers In The Fantastic Four: First Steps

Reed Richards’ powers have become a topic of discussion, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps has now released a new trailer that showcases Mister Fantastic in action, with the Marvel Cinematic Universe footage serving to explain why Reed’s powers were not displayed before. Marvel Studios’ 2025 movies present exciting new opportunities for the franchise, with the Fantastic Four reboot being the most exciting of them. This is the first time that the characters are home, with Marvel being able to create its vision for how the Fantastic Four should look onscreen.

One of the most exciting aspects of the Fantastic Four is how each member of the team has a unique power set. Johnny Storm’s flame powers and ability to fly make him likely to make a splash in action scenes. However, the Thing’s CGI looks great, with the rock-looking hero packing quite a punch. Sue Storm appears able to use her powers in multiple ways, with that variety likely making her a standout in The Fantastic Four: First Steps‘ cast. As for Reed Richards, Marvel hid his powers from the first trailer, and now I think I know why.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps Trailer Finally Revealed Reed Richards’ Superpowers

The MCU Presents A Comic Book-Accurate Version Of Mister Fantastic’s Powers


Reed Richards using his powers in the Fantastic Four MCU movie trailer

Since the first official trailer for the upcoming Fantastic Four movie showed Ben, Sue, and Johnny using their powers, with only Reed left out, fans started to believe that there could be more to it. Theories ranged from how Mister Fantastic felt guilty about the team getting powers to multiverse connections and more. Now, it has been revealed that there was no complicated answer to the matter, as Marvel released a new The Fantastic Four: First Steps trailer. It has many exciting moments, with one of them being Reed using his powers.

Given how the studio chose not to give Ms. Marvel her stretching powers in the MCU, I was afraid there would be some modifications to how Mister Fantastic powers look or work. However, a brief moment in the trailer confirmed that Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards will have the same ability to stretch his body that he has in the comics. In the footage, Reed can be seen in action as a building collapses around him. Reed appears to be using his powers to evade the falling debris and seemingly climb the building with a staff-like object in his hands.

Reed Richards’ Mister Fantastic Powers Look Good In First Steps

Marvel Studios Always Had A Difficult Task With The Hero

Now that we have seen Pascal’s Reed Richards in action, I think I understand why the studio decided not to show Mister Fantastic powers at first alongside those of the other heroes. In the end, stretching powers will always look cartoony. No matter how well done they are, and I believe that Marvel has done an incredible job with the CGI of Reed’s powers in the MCU movie’s latest trailer, I believe the uncanny nature of stretching powers will never be removed, so Reed would always look a bit goofy when compared to the rest.

While I think Reed’s powers look good and are comic book-accurate, the reason Marvel chose not to show them at first with the others could have been because they are the powers that would have stood out. Becoming invisible, bursting into flames and flying, and breaking everything as a walking pile of rocks is not as cartoony as a human body being stretched in ways it should not be able to. Another factor is that the CGI for Reed’s powers could have needed more time to be ready, which Silver Surfer’s uncanny look in the trailers can relate to.

Why Reed Richards’ Stretching Powers Fit The Fantastic Four’s 60s Aesthetic

The Movie Will Have A Unique Role Within The MCU

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is the movie I have wanted to watch since the Multiverse Saga started. By that, I mean the film’s setup is exactly what the MCU has been missing. The multiverse should have been used more before the two upcoming Avengers movies, and the Fantastic Four reboot is the only project that will seemingly take place fully in an alternate universe. The team’s reality features a retro-futuristic New York in the 1960s, which I believe not only fits the overall tone of the Fantastic Four in the comics, but is perfect for Mister Fantastic’s powers.

\n”‘};

window.arrayOfEmbedScripts[“instagram”] = “null”;

The movie is all about taking the classic tone of the Fantastic Four in the comics and putting it on the screen. Due to that, Reed Richards’ powers, looking as cartoony as they do, do not present a problem. They fit the tone of the team’s first MCU adventure. I want to see how different the Fantastic Four will be when they make their way to Avengers: Doomsday, which should be a darker MCU movie with little to no 1960s elements. That will be the true test for Reed’s powers, but they are fitting for The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

All Announced Upcoming MCU Movies



  • Thunderbolts (2025) Official Poster

    Thunderbolts*

    Release Date

    May 2, 2025







  • 01593277_poster_w780.jpg

    The Fantastic Four: First Steps

    Release Date

    July 25, 2025







  • Avengeres Doomsday logo placeholder poster

    Avengers: Doomsday

    Release Date

    May 1, 2026







  • Spider-Man Homecoming Mondo Poster

    Spider-Man: Brand New Day

    Release Date

    July 31, 2026







  • Avengers: Secret Wars

    Release Date

    May 7, 2027





Related Posts

Nicholas Hoult Addresses Why Lex Luthor Hates Superman So Much In The DCU

Nicholas Hoult Addresses Why Lex Luthor Hates Superman So Much In The DCU

Superman actor Nicholas Hoult unpacks why the DC hero rubs Lex Luthor the wrong way. Over the last 85 years, Lex has shared a legendary rivalry with…

Scarlett Johansson Achieves Major Box Office Milestone With Jurᴀssic World Rebirth’s 8M Opening

Scarlett Johansson Achieves Major Box Office Milestone With Jurᴀssic World Rebirth’s $318M Opening

Scarlett Johansson has reached a new box office peak thanks to Jurᴀssic World Rebirth‘s global opening weekend earnings. The seventh installment in the Jurᴀssic Park franchise introduces…

Jurᴀssic World’s Dinosaur Mating Scene Was More Graphic In Original Script

Jurᴀssic World’s Dinosaur Mating Scene Was More Graphic In Original Script

Jurᴀssic World Rebirth writer David Koepp explains how one scene took a more explicit turn in the original script. Rebirth is the latest attempt at rebooting the…

James Gunn’s DCU Update Hints At David Corenswet’s Superman Future Appearance

James Gunn’s DCU Update Hints At David Corenswet’s Superman Future Appearance

As Superman is about to arrive in theaters, James Gunn already has more plans in store for the Man of Steel in the DC Universe. After years…

How Powerful Is Sentry In The MCU Compared To DC’s Superman?

How Powerful Is Sentry In The MCU Compared To DC’s Superman?

Marvel Studios has finally adapted Sentry, who is often dubbed the MCU’s Superman, into live-action, but whether the character is as powerful as the Man of Steel…

New The Fantastic Four: First Steps Clip Gives Glimpse Into Dinner With Marvel’s First Family

New The Fantastic Four: First Steps Clip Gives Glimpse Into Dinner With Marvel’s First Family

A new clip from The Fantastic Four: First Steps outlines dinner time with Marvel’s First Family. The Fantastic Four: First Steps is the final Marvel movie of…