Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Fantastic Four: First Steps
One line in The Fantastic Four: First Steps adds some devastating context to Reed Richards’ superhero name. The meaning of “fantastic” has evolved as people now use it to describe something remarkable or extraordinary, such as Marvel’s first family. However, the word’s original meaning didn’t always have such a positive connotation.
Some of the official dictionary definitions of “fantastic” include being bizarre or far removed from reality. The connotation that the word has with the Fantastic Four is obviously a good one, but one line in First Steps shows off the MCU Reed’s insecurities, and it potentially gives a deeper meaning to his chosen superhero name of Mister Fantastic.
Mister Fantastic’s Saddest Fantastic Four Line Makes His Name & Its Meanings Seem Far Sadder
Reed Hopes Franklin Won’t Resemble Him
After Franklin is born, Reed spends some time with his son in his lab. He used all of his available technology to detect any abnormalities in Sue’s pregnancy, but he still couldn’t predict that Franklin would be desired by Galactus. It’s clear that Reed takes his failures very hard, and this one with his son took an especially big toll on him.
Reed then tells Franklin, “I don’t want you to be like me. There’s something wrong with me,” as if he’s well aware that his brain doesn’t quite operate like everyone else’s. Being a genius is something that Reed should take pride in, but it also causes him to get wrapped up in his own head in a way that hurts himself and his loved ones.
Reed choosing the name Mister Fantastic based on the traditional definition of “fantastic” would be devastating but plausible. He’s well aware that he’s different from other people, and his insecurities and worries could’ve been why he chose the name in the first place. The name Mister Fantastic may have been Reed fixating on his faults rather than a compliment.
Mister Fantastic’s Tragic MCU Movie Line Makes His Future Seem Sadder
Reed Always Feels Like The Odd One Out
It was sad enough to hear Reed tell his son that he hoped he wouldn’t take after him, and he’s probably trying to prevent him from growing up as he did. Especially as the Fantastic Four get integrated into the main MCU, Reed is sure to come across other heroes who will initially see him as the odd person out.
The line gives a quiet implication that Reed’s guilt and struggles weigh heavily on him. He wants to be socially accepted as normal, but people will always see his way of operating as far removed from reality. Surely none of the Avengers are going to shun him out of malice, but it may take some time for them to get used to Reed’s brain.
Though it’s just a minor line, it’s clear that Reed doesn’t want to pᴀss on his self-proclaimed curse onto his son. He feels like there’s something wrong with him, and considering the historical definition of the word, The Fantastic Four: First Steps line gives some context as to why he may have chosen the Mister Fantastic moniker in the first place.
