The Fantastic Four: First Steps will introduce an important child to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but I’m convinced that another one could also be en route, as the upcoming Avengers movies would be perfect for the debut of Doctor Doom and Sue Storm’s daughter. The Fantastic Four are commonly known as Marvel’s First Family, which Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige has reiterated in many interviews. To that end, the MCU’s final 2025 movie plays with the concept.

The way the Fantastic Four reboot does that is through the introduction of Reed Richards and Sue Storm’s son, Franklin Richards. The character is extremely powerful, as even as a baby, Franklin should be able to alter reality. With the Fantastic Four set to play a key role in Avengers: Doomsday‘s story and later return for 2027’s Avengers: Secret Wars, the team will soon meet Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom, and the best way to connect them is through Doom and Sue’s daughter.

Valeria Richards Has A Majorly Complicated Marvel Comics Backstory Where She Is Introduced As Doctor Doom & Sue Storm’s Daughter

The Fantastic Four Character Is The Source Of A Few Retcons

The Fantastic Four are commonly made up of Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm. However, with the arrival of Reed and Sue’s children in the comics, Franklin and Valeria, the core team has grown. While Franklin is confirmed to be key to The Fantastic Four: First Steps‘ story, Valeria has yet to find a project for her MCU debut. However, since the character has a complicated origin story that ties to Doctor Doom, I think she would be perfect for Avengers: Doomsday.

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When Valeria was first introduced in the comics, she was the daughter of Doctor Doom and Sue Storm from an alternate universe. The convoluted explanation was that Reed and Sue’s daughter had been stillborn, but Franklin unconsciously used his powers to save her essence and have her live as the daughter of an alternate universe’s Doctor Doom and Sue Storm. After a few retcons, Valeria’s origin was changed, with Doctor Doom using magic to ᴀssist in her birth, naming her Valeria, and becoming the child’s godfather.

Introducing Valeria Richards As Doctor Doom & Sue Storm’s Daughter In The MCU Would Make Sense

Avengers: Secret Wars’ Comic Book Inspiration Featured Valeria And Franklin

The Fantastic Four: First Steps will have way too many moving parts to properly introduce both Franklin and Valeria, which is why her story is best served if left for the upcoming Avengers movies to explore. With the Multiverse Saga’s biggest projects centering on Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom, I believe it would make a lot of sense to tap into Valeria’s complicated comic book origin. The next Avengers movies should feature quite a few multiverse characters and variants.

Valeria could be one of those, hailing from Doctor Doom’s universe, which adds depth to the villain’s story. Beyond the multiverse of it all is also the fact that Valeria was an important part of the comic book story that inspired the MCU’s Avengers: Secret Wars. In that comic’s storyline, Valeria was also the daughter of Doctor Doom, using her extreme intelligence to aid his rule on Battleworld. I believe the same could happen in the MCU.

Introducing Valeria Into The MCU Would Make The Fantastic Four Vs Doctor Doom Conflict More Interesting

Doctor Doom is the Fantastic Four’s nemesis. As such, the MCU needs to make sure that the rivalry between Doctor Doom and Reed Richards is as intense as it is in the comics. Since I don’t believe Robert Downey Jr. will stay on as the MCU’s version of Doctor Doom after the next two Avengers movies, I feel like Marvel has to make the most of the time the actor is in the franchise, and using Valeria for it would be a masterful move.

Downey’s Doctor Doom and Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards fighting over their respective relationships with different versions of Sue Storm and their children would create a personal conflict between the characters. That is perfect for them, as Doctor Doom and Mister Fantastic’s relationship has always been rooted in that kind of story. At the end of the Avengers movies, the rumored MCU reset could make it so Valeria was always Reed and Sue’s daughter, similar to what Marvel Comics did after a few retcons.

All Announced Upcoming MCU Movies

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  Thunderbolts*

  Release Date

  
  May 2, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  The Fantastic Four: First Steps

  Release Date

  
  July 25, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Avengers: Doomsday

  Release Date

  
  December 18, 2026
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Spider-Man: Brand New Day

  Release Date

  
  July 31, 2026
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Avengers: Secret Wars

  Release Date

  
  December 17, 2027
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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