The Fantastic Four will be making their highly-anticipated MCU debut in The Fantastic Four: First Steps in July, but I’m sad one of the family’s most underrated members won’t be a part of it. Marvel’s first family has been a H๏τ topic with fans ever since the studio regained the rights to the characters, with every step of production being big news. When the name of the Fantastic Four’s first solo movie was announced, the fact that First Steps was part of the тιтle seemed to be pointing to a very obvious comic storyline.
The official Fantastic Four trailer confirmed that Sue Storm will be pregnant in the film. Though the baby’s idenтιтy has yet to be revealed, most fans are anticipating the introduction of Franklin Richards. A baby is going to tie into the Fantastic Four dynamic perfectly considering how much emphasis the group puts on family, and it makes sense for it to be Reed and Sue’s firstborn child from the comics. However, Franklin’s debut will likely mean that his very underrated sibling, Valeria, will have to take a backseat for now.
The Fantastic Four: First Steps Has Already Set Up Most Of The MCU’s First Family
The Core Fore Are Set In Stone
The four core members of the Fantastic Four are set in stone, and the roles they each play within the team have been made very clear from the trailers alone. While Reed and Sue navigate parenthood, Johnny and Ben each plan to step up as uncles in their own ways. The MCU has already set up the family dynamic, which will only experience a change once the baby arrives. It doesn’t seem like there’s going to be any more surprise additions to the cast, especially with the film set to come out very soon.
Even though Sue’s pregnancy is confirmed, there’s no telling if we’ll actually even see a child by the end of Fantastic Four: First Steps. Sue giving birth could be a cliffhanger for another project, and it could even be something she ends up doing on Earth, since we know the team has crash-landed into the main MCU universe. Having a pregnancy without a result just yet would be a way for Marvel to hone in on the core four’s dynamic, setting up the introduction of a new family member while still remaining focused on the original members.
Marvel’s Most Underrated Fantastic Four Family Member Is Borderline Impossible For First Steps To Bring Into The MCU Right Now
There Won’t Be Time Between Galactus And Franklin
Most fans are familiar with Franklin Richards, but not as many know of his underrated sister, Valeria. As much as I would love to see her incorporated into Fantastic Four: First Steps alongside her brother, there’s simply no time for both of their stories to be featured. Even Sue’s pregnancy may end up being a side story to the major conflict between the Fantastic Four and Galactus, since the MCU surely wouldn’t go through all that effort to introduce Galactus just to waste him.
Even if Marvel wanted to introduce Valeria in Fantastic Four: First Steps, Reed and Sue’s daughter has an incredibly complicated comic backstory that the film just wouldn’t have the time to flesh out. After a traumatic birth, both Valeria and Sue were on the brink of death. Human Torch sought out Doctor Doom for help, which created a tricky dynamic between the family and the notorious villain. It’s a story worth diving into, but only if Marvel can give it enough time to unfold.
Why Valeria Richards Would Be A Perfect Later Addition To The MCU
There Is Potential For A Sequel Set-Up
The Fantastic Four’s current focus will be on Franklin, but Valeria’s story could be a great potential First Steps sequel. Not that there will be a lack of storylines waiting for the Fantastic Four in the MCU, especially with their confirmed participation in Avengers: Doomsday, but the arrival of Valeria would be a plot that substantially changes their dynamic. Some of the MCU’s most beloved pairings have been siblings, and the studio could capitalize off of that with Franklin and Valeria.
As the MCU progresses, Marvel is always looking to introduce younger heroes that can take over when the older generation retires. Depending on how long Marvel wants to keep the MCU going, introducing Valeria right after the Multiverse Saga could give her the unique position of participating in the Young Avengers and whatever future generation of heroes there is to come. It’s a shame that we won’t get to see one of the family’s most underrated members in Fantastic Four: First Steps, but it makes sense that Marvel isn’t playing all of their cards at once.
Upcoming MCU Movies
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Thunderbolts*
- Release Date
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May 2, 2025
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The Fantastic Four: First Steps
- Release Date
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July 25, 2025
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Avengers: Doomsday
- Release Date
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December 18, 2026
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Spider-Man: Brand New Day
- Release Date
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July 31, 2026
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Avengers: Secret Wars
- Release Date
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December 17, 2027
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