Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for The Fantastic Four: First Steps.The Fantastic Four: First Steps introduced a few major characters to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and one connection should continue in the next Avengers movie. By the end of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Franklin Richards, Sue Storm and Reed Richards’ son, has been born and shown the world how powerful he is. That ends up leading to a twist.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps‘ post-credits scene had long been rumored to see the debut of Victor von Doom. That panned out, with Robert Downey Jr. returning to the MCU, now as Doctor Doom, in the Fantastic Four movie. The shocking part of the scene was how it had Doctor Doom directly interact with the Fantastic Four’s most powerful member.

As Sue Storm left the room, Doom approached Franklin Richards. When Sue returned, the child was looking at Doom’s face, with Victor having removed his mask, though his face remained hidden in the shadows. After not appearing in the movie itself, Doctor Doom’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps post-credits debut shows that the villain wants Franklin for something, and it is clear why.

Franklin Richards Brings Sue Storm Back From The ᴅᴇᴀᴅ In A Unique Way

The Fantastic Four: First Steps Had A Shocking Ending

The main plot point in the Fantastic Four movie is Galactus’ offer to take Franklin and spare the Fantastic Four’s Earth. The MCU makes it clear that Franklin is no regular baby, despite Reed Richards’ scans of his son not showing any anomalies. As Galactus explains it, Franklin has the Power Cosmic. That is the same source of the villain’s powers.

Galactus is able to traverse space, change his size, has telekinesis, and more. That variety of skills should also prove true to Franklin, though it does not mean both of them have the same powers, just the same immense scope. Even in the womb, Franklin could already manipulate reality, as Galactus revealed that he was hiding his true nature.

Not long after he was born, Franklin would reveal how powerful he truly was. After Vanessa Kirby’s Sue Storm died in The Fantastic Four: First Steps — pushing herself to the limit to defeat Galactus — Franklin resurrected his mother. That is a skill that few MCU characters, such as Sacha Baron Cohen’s Mephisto, boast, showcasing how special Franklin Richards truly is.

While this might be the first time Franklin brings someone back to life in the MCU, as he has only now joined the franchise, the character is known for doing that in the comics. Interestingly, that ability is tied to Galactus. Franklin Richards has resurrected the Devourer of Worlds to destroy Abraxas, an evil cosmic force that was nearly unstoppable.

In the Earth X comics, Franklin Richards would even become Galactus. After the original’s death, Franklin’s mutation would be empowered, and with the help of the Silver Surfer, he would transform into the new Galactus. Franklin has even made Galactus his herald in the comics. While he has restored universes and rebooted them, Franklin has not specifically resurrected a Fantastic Four member.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps changes that for the MCU. Franklin directly revives Sue Storm after she dies from using too much power to push Galactus into the portal. When she comes back, Sue’s eyes glow with cosmic energy. That unique effect shows the scope of Franklin’s powers, teasing what role he could play in the MCU’s future.

Franklin Richards’ Powers Explains Why Doctor Doom Wants Him

Robert Downey Jr.’s MCU Return Leads To Avengers: Doomsday

Since Franklin Richards possesses the Power Cosmic in the MCU and Galactus went to great lengths to try to get the child to serve as his replacement, I’m convinced that Franklin is set to play a crucial role in Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars. Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom going after the young MCU hero makes a lot of sense.

While we still don’t know much about the MCU’s Doctor Doom, save for the fact that he seems to come from the Fantastic Four’s Earth, as an empty Latveria seat at the UN teased that connection, the multiverse is set to collapse in the MCU movies. After all, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige has talked about worlds colliding in multiple interviews.

A couple of months after birth, Franklin Richards is already capable of resurrecting his mother in the MCU. Since The Fantastic Four: First Steps‘ post-credits scene takes place four years later, Franklin’s powers have likely only grown in that time. It is easy to see why Doctor Doom, if he wants to save the multiverse or rule it, would go after Franklin.

In the 2015 Secret Wars comic book event, Doctor Doom stole the Beyonders’ powers to rule Battleworld as God Emperor Doom. Perhaps the villain could be after Franklin Richards as the MCU’s replacement for the Beyonders. With the Power Cosmic, magic, and technology available to him, Doom would be able to create Battleworld out of the multiverse’s remaining parts.

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Another possible reason for Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom to be after Franklin Richards is that he wants the child’s help. Loki is in Avengers: Doomsday, and as the protector of the multiverse, he stands in Doom’s way. The villain could need Franklin to overpower Loki and take over his role. That would explain The Fantastic Four: First Steps‘ post-credits scene.